It is important to regularly clean your pool table in order to keep it looking new. This will keep your pool table in great shape and make it much more fun to play on. This is best done with a brush.
The local billiards supply stores will sell brushes made specifically for cleaning felt pools tables. These are gentle on the felt and will also remove dust and lint. However, if you don't want to spend too much money, you can try using a regular household brush instead. You should be careful not to use too many hard strokes as it can cause damage to the surface.
A steamer can also be used to clean your pool table's surfaces. While steamers can remove stains from felt, they can also set them. Natural stain removers can be applied to the felt using equal parts of water, white vinegar, or a mixture of both. It is important to let the stain dry thoroughly before using it.
You should not damage your pool table felt. Pool table felt is weaker than regular felt. Most recreational players should clean their tables once per week. For serious players, it is recommended to clean your tables more often.
The next step after you have removed any stains is to clean the pockets. Before you start working with felt, it is a good idea vacuum the rails and pockets. To clean them you will need a damp, soft, and a vacuum crevice instrument.
To remove stains, you should use a soft, lint-free cloth. Avoid using paper towels. They can trap fibers that may be left on felt.
A spray-on solution can be purchased, which will do a better job of stain removal. 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 you've applied cleaning solution to the felt wipe it down using a damp cloth. Don't rub the stains, however. Light strokes are best to ensure that the felt doesn’t get stretched.
The felt should be allowed to air dry on the pool table. You should not drink near the table, smoke, or place ashtrays on the rails during this time. You also don't want to leave chalk marks.
After cleaning the table thoroughly, you can put the cues into the cue rack or cuestand. The cues shouldn't be kept in temperatures too high or near moisture sources that could lead to rot.
You will also need to clean the balls. This is a fairly common procedure, but it's important to be careful. Home-based cleaners are often designed to remove hard grime and damage felt. It is also possible to protect your felt with a specialized cleaner.