It is important to regularly clean your pool table in order to keep it looking new. This will ensure that your pool table is in good condition and allow you to enjoy it. The best way to do this is to use a brush.
At your local billiards supply shop, you will find brushes specifically designed for cleaning felt pool tables. These are gentle on the felt and will also remove dust and lint. If you don’t have the funds to buy a special brush, you can use your regular household one. You should be careful not to use too many hard strokes as it can cause damage to the surface.
A steam cleaner is another option to clean the pool table's surface. Steamers are useful in removing stains from the felt, but they can set them if you don't get them out completely. For this purpose, you can also apply a natural stain remover such as equal parts of water and white vinegar. However, you should allow the stain time to dry before applying any other products.
You should not damage your pool table felt. Pool table felt is weaker than regular felt. A typical recreational player should clean their tables no less than once a week. For more serious players, a cleaner schedule is advised.
Once you've removed the stains, the next step is to clean the pockets. Before you begin to work with the felt, it's a good idea for the pockets and rails to be vacuumed. When you clean them, you'll need a damp cloth, a soft cloth, and a vacuum crevice tool.
A soft, lintless cloth should be used to clean up any spillages. Avoid using paper towels. They can trap fibers that may be left on felt.
You can also buy a spray-on solution, which will do a much better job of removing stains. These products are either available in your local department store, or online. They can be used as a substitute for the products sold in your billiards supply store.
After the cleaner has dried, use a clean, damp cloth to wipe the felt down. Do not rub the stains. You should use light strokes to prevent the felt from stretching.
Give the felt on your pool table some time to air out. During this time, you should avoid drinking near the table, smoking, or placing ash trays on the rails. You don't want chalk marks to be left on the surface.
Once the table has been cleaned, the cues may be stored on the cue rack. They shouldn't be stored in extreme temperatures or places where moisture could cause them to rot.
Lastly, you'll need to clean the balls. While this is a very common practice, you should be cautious. Many home-based cleaners are designed to remove grime. This can cause felt damage. It is also possible to protect your felt with a specialized cleaner.