It is important to regularly clean your pool table in order to keep it looking new. You can keep your pool table clean and it will be easier to use. 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. They are gentle on the felt, and will remove dust and other lint. If you don’t have the funds to buy a special brush, you can use your regular household one. But be careful! Too many hard strokes can cause damage.
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. A natural stain remover can be used, such as equal parts of white vinegar and water. However, you should allow the stain time to dry before applying any other products.
Regular felt is stronger than pool table felt so be careful not to ruin it. The average recreational player should clean their table at least once per week. A more frequent cleaning schedule is recommended for more serious players.
Next, clean the pockets after you have removed the stains. 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.
Use a soft, lint-free towel to clean up any stains. Avoid using paper towels. These can trap fibers that could be left on your felt.
Spray-on solutions are also available. They will work better to remove stains. You can find these products at your local hardware store, or online. These products can be substituted for those sold at your local billiard supply store.
After you've applied cleaning solution to the felt wipe it down using a damp cloth. Do not rub the stains. Use light strokes so that the felt doesn't stretch out.
Give your felt time to dry. It is important to avoid smoking near the table and drinking, as well as ashtrays being placed on the rails. Chalk marks are also not a good idea.
After cleaning the table thoroughly, you can put the cues into the cue rack or cuestand. You shouldn't store them in extreme temperatures or in places where the moisture can cause them to rot.
Finally, clean the balls. Although this is a common practice you need to be careful. Home-based cleaners are often designed to remove hard grime and damage felt. The felt can be protected by using a special cleaner.