How To Clean Pool Table Felt: Tips & Tricks You Need To Know!

Is your pool table felt looking a little worse for wear? Maintaining your billiards table cloth is key to preserving the lifespan and playability of your pool table.

A beautiful antique billiards table can certainly add a touch of elegance, or a touch of grit, depending on the venue, to any space. Beyond the cue, chalk, and balls, the quality of the table itself is paramount. Keeping that table, and specifically its felt, in top condition, is essential for a good game. But how do you keep that felt looking its best?

The best ways to clean pool table felts don't involve water or dabbing at all. Instead, cleaning involves a bit of strategy, and the right tools. The methods discussed below emphasize techniques that will not damage the felt, but will effectively remove dust, chalk, and other debris that accumulate during play.

Cleaning a pool table felt involves a multi-pronged approach, each with its own specific use. Vacuuming is encouraged by many professionals, and the use of a pool table brush is another very effective way to clean the felt, with the brushing method often being considered superior. In addition to the felt, it's also important to maintain other parts of your pool table: keeping the rails clean, the balls clean, and the ball return system clean.

Before diving into the specifics, it is important to understand that the felt on a pool table is delicate and requires careful handling. Water, harsh chemicals, and abrasive cleaning tools can damage the fibers, leading to premature wear and affecting playability.

Here's a breakdown of the tools and techniques:

1. The Right Tools of the Trade

To effectively clean your pool table, you'll need a few essential items:

• Soft Brush or Pool Table Brush: These brushes, with soft bristles, are designed to sweep away dust and chalk from the felt without causing damage.
• A Vacuum Cleaner: A vacuum with a brush attachment can be useful for removing deeper debris.
• Clean Cloth: A clean cloth, dampened with a mild detergent, can be used to wipe down the balls and other hard surfaces of the pool table.

2. Brushing Techniques: The Gentle Approach

Brushing is considered by many to be a superior method for felt cleaning. It's all about the proper technique, and brushing is a go to cleaning method for many pool halls and professional players.

• Direction Matters: Avoid back-and-forth or circular movements. Instead, use straight, light strokes. Start in one corner of the table and brush towards the opposite corner.
• Regularity: Brush the felt after each game to prevent buildup.
• Soft Bristles Only: Ensure your brush has soft bristles to avoid unnecessary wear.

3. Vacuuming: When and How

While vacuuming can be an effective method, it's crucial to do it correctly to avoid damage to the felt. Many professionals recommend vacuuming to remove dust and chalk.

• Brush Attachment: Always use the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to prevent direct contact between the vacuum head and the felt.
• Light Pressure: Use light pressure and move the vacuum slowly and gently across the felt.
• Frequency: Vacuum the table as needed, or about once a week, depending on the frequency of use.

4. Dealing with Stains and Spills

Accidents happen, and spills are inevitable. Knowing how to handle them can prevent permanent damage to the felt.

• Act Fast: The sooner you address a spill, the better.
• Dry Cleaning: Avoid using water or any cleaning solutions on your pool table. Use a certified pool table cleaning solution, a commercial cleaner formulated for dry cleaning
• Blot, Don't Rub: Use a clean, dry cloth to blot the spill gently. Avoid rubbing, as this can spread the stain and damage the fibers.

Many companies make brushes specifically for cleaning. Talk with a specially trained representative at your local pool table retailer to see if they have a product you would like to try.

For further information please see our video how to maintain your billiard table cloth.

The most common way to clean a pool table is with a certified pool table cleaning solution. These cleaning supplies are easy to use, adequate, and inexpensive. To use a pool table cleaner, spray it on the entire surface of the pool table and wait for the foam to rise.

To extend the lifespan of your pool table and its surfacing felt, it's essential to find the best way to clean pool table felt by using the right tools and learn how to use them properly. Ensure you get a brush with soft bristles to avoid unnecessary wear on the felt.

Odds are your pool table is constructed from wood. If this is the case, you can clean your pool table like any other piece of wooden furniture. Clean regularly and pay special attention to any spills.The rest of your pool table is not as delicate as the felt, but should still be cleaned regularly.

It also pays to keep your rails clean, balls clean, and your ball return system clean.Although it might seem easy to use a lint roller to pick up debris from a pool table, the glue from these cleaning devices can stick to the felt and end up doing more damage. You should only ever use a specialized felt brush for cleaning or vacuum when required.

To clean the pool table felt with the brush without any risk of damage, you must avoid back and forth or circular movements. Instead, use straight and light movements from one corner to the other. Both places take very good care of their equipment and clean the tables very regularly, but the cloth in the less moisture place plays like new cloth for a much longer period of time and feels smoother.

When choosing a brush, opt for the ones that have soft bristles, are light, and are handy. This is to ensure that the dust and dirt from the table will be removed easily.

5. What NOT to Do

• Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Never use abrasive cleaners, solvents, or anything containing bleach. These can discolor and damage the felt.
• No Lint Rollers: The adhesive on lint rollers can leave a residue that is difficult to remove.
• Don't Overdo It: Excessive cleaning can wear down the felt. Follow the recommended cleaning frequency.

6. Maintaining Your Pool Table: Beyond the Felt

While the felt requires the most attention, other parts of your pool table also need care:

• Rails: Wipe down the rails with a clean, damp cloth to remove chalk and dirt.
• Balls: Clean the balls regularly with a ball cleaner to maintain their shine and playability.
• Ball Return System: Ensure the ball return system is free of debris, which can affect ball movement.

By following these guidelines, you can keep your pool table felt clean and in good condition, ensuring many years of enjoyable games. Remember that proper maintenance is a key ingredient for the long life of your pool table and the satisfaction of your play.