Pool Table Maintenance Guide

No matter the make, style or price point, a pool table is an investment that requires routine care to keep it playing sharp and in the best possible condition. With proper pool table and cure care, your billiard set will provide a superior playing experience for years.

Our comprehensive pool table maintenance guide provides preventive maintenance tips and cleaning instructions for each part of your pool table.

The Importance of Proper Pool Table Maintenance

Proper pool table maintenance provides several benefits, including:

• Better playing conditions: Well-maintained felt ensures smoother, faster gameplay, allowing for more accurate and consistent shots. Smoother felt lets you focus on improving your skills and technique without being hindered by a subpar playing surface.

• Enhanced aesthetics: Regular maintenance keeps your table looking its best, preserving the beauty of the wood, felt and other components. A well-maintained table becomes a stunning focal point in any game room, reflecting your dedication to the sport.

• Extended life span: Regular tool table maintenance prevents premature wear and tear, reducing the need to replace or repair parts and increasing the table's longevity.

How to Maintain a Pool Table

Following a regular maintenance routine is critical to keeping your pool table in top condition.

• Use a table cover: When not in use, protect your table from dust, debris, moisture and sunlight with a breathable pool table cover. Keeping your pool table covered extends the life of your felt and prevents unnecessary wear.

• Brush your cloth often: Use a pool table brush to brush the cloth at least once a week. Brushing is critical in the first few months after purchase and before and after play to remove debris and chalk dust.

• Maintain consistent temperature and humidity: Extreme high or low temperatures and humidity levels can cause the wood to warp and the cloth to wrinkle. Keep your table in a room with stable environmental conditions, ideally between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and 45% to 55% relative humidity.

• Use high-quality billiard balls: Invest in premium balls made from durable materials like phenolic resin or polyester. Avoid using damaged or excessively worn balls, as they can harm the cloth.

• Avoid spills: Keep food and drinks away from your pool table to avoid drops and spills on the cloth and blemishes on the wood or synthetic parts of the table.

How to Clean a Pool Table

Cleaning your pool table is essential to maintenance, but using the wrong techniques or products could cause lasting damage. Understanding the appropriate cleaning approach helps your pool table stand the test of time.

Cleaning the Wood on Your Pool Table

For routine dusting, use a soft, dry microfiber cloth. Avoid using water or cleaning products that can damage the finish. Periodically apply a thin layer of high-quality furniture wax to the rails using a lint-free cloth. Buff the wax to a shine for a pristine appearance and added protection.

For minor surface scratches, gently buff the affected area with a high-grade wood polish and soft cloth. Always test the polish on an inconspicuous spot first to ensure it doesn't discolor the finish.

Cleaning Synthetic Pool Tables

Cleaning synthetic tables, such as vinyl ones, is slightly different. To wipe the pool table, use a soft, damp cloth and a small amount of mild, nonabrasive cleaner. Avoid using excessive moisture or harsh chemicals that can damage the material.

How to Brush a Pool Table

Brushing your pool table regularly is a critical aspect of pool table maintenance. Use a soft-bristled pool table brush to remove dust and debris from the felt surface. Avoid using hard-bristled brushes or brushes made for other surfaces, as they can damage the delicate felt fibers.

Remove all balls, racks and other accessories from the table surface. Using a clean brush and light, even pressure, brush from one end of the table to the other, working systematically to ensure you cover the entire surface without missing spots. Brush the cloth in straight lines, following the direction of the nap.

As you brush, slightly overlap each stroke to ensure you don't miss any areas. Remember to brush the rails and areas where the cloth meets the cushions, as these areas can accumulate dust and chalk.

How to Clean Felt on a Pool Table

Regular brushing using a soft-bristled brush can remove most loose debris and dust. However, liquids and tougher stains can be trickier to clean. Avoid using a vacuum cleaner on the felt.

If any liquids get on the felt playing surface, quickly blot the area with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. Avoid rubbing the spill, as this can spread the liquid and damage the fibers. For stubborn stains, use a cloth dampened with mild soap and water, then blot dry.

To clean persistent pool table stains, look for a gentle foam cleaner made specifically for pool table felt. Always test the cleaner on a small, hidden area first and follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully to avoid damaging the felt.

Caring for Cabinetry and Pockets

It's best to avoid extreme temperatures and humidity. As with cloth, your table cabinetry could be affected by extremely high or low temperatures and excessively high or low humidity levels in the room where your table is kept. Use a dehumidifier in rooms where humidity levels can fluctuate beyond normal.

Intense sunlight can harm your table's finish, so you should keep your table out of direct sunlight. As with billiard cloth, a table cover is recommended to help protect against damage caused by sunlight.

Another way to keep your cabinetry and pockets looking like new is to avoid sitting, standing or leaning on your pool table. Doing so could harm the table's structural balance and warp or damage the playing surface. Wipe your table's pockets with a dry cloth to remove dust and debris.

If your table has external pockets, remove the balls and store them elsewhere, such as a wall rack, when the table is not in use. If you store your billiard balls in the table's pockets, evenly distribute the balls between bags to reduce wear.

Frequently Asked Questions

To help you understand proper pool table maintenance, here are answers to the commonly answered questions about pool table and cue care:

What Damages a Pool Table?

Several factors can damage a pool table, such as excessive moisture or humidity, extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, improper cleaning and neglecting regular maintenance. Spills and stains also damage the pool table felt. Sitting or leaning on the rails and using low-quality or damaged balls can also damage your pool table.

How Often Should I Iron My Pool Table?

Ironing a pool table can help remove slight wrinkles and irregularities in the cloth. Ironing frequency depends on usage and environmental factors, but ironing every six to 12 months is sufficient. Use a low-temperature setting and a clean cloth between the iron and the felt to prevent damage.

Is It OK To Vacuum a Pool Table?

No, do not vacuum a pool table. The strong suction can damage the delicate fibers of the cloth and create unnecessary wear and tear.

Get Essential Pool Table Maintenance Accessories From Imperial

As a fourth-generation family-owned and run business, Imperial delivers quality pool tables and accessories that meet the highest standards of excellence. With a focus on sustainability, Imperial plants five trees for every table sold through our partnership with the National Forest Foundation. Our furniture-style tables come with a limited lifetime warranty, ensuring years of enjoyment.

Shop our wide selection of premium pool tables and maintenance supplies to keep your table in excellent shape for years.