Instructions for Cleaning a Billiards Table

Proper cleaning of a billiard table can prolong its life and performance for many years. General maintenance such as dust removal should be done on a regular basis to prevent buildup on and underneath the cloth, and chalk stains will need to be removed from time to time to ensure optimal performance of the table. In the unfortunate case of spills or liquid damage, there are a few home remedies that may help remove spots and stains.

General Maintenance

Basic cleaning can be done a regular basis to keep your billiard table looking neat and free of dust and other debris. Special billiard table brushes are available that will allow you to quickly gather and remove dust without harming the table. These special brushes can be found in hobby shops, sporting goods stores and some department stores.

Vacuums that have soft brush attachments can be used to remove dust and debris from the surface of a billiard table as well. Make sure that you do not use a hard attachment on the cloth surface, as these attachments can sometimes loosen the grain of the cloth over time.

Many manufacturers of billiard tables recommend that owners purchase covers to protect their tables when not in use to prevent damage and debris buildup.

Chalk Removal

Commercial products are available that make removing chalk stains from the cloth on the billiard table much easier. Most of these products are dry foam cleaners, meaning that they can be sprayed directly onto the surface of your billiard table and then wiped clean with a micro-fiber cloth. The billiard table surface will not remain wet and will be ready for immediate use. Many of these products are made so that they do not wash out the original color of the cloth, and can even help to restore older tables to their original color. Special cleaning products can be found in specialty shops and through on-line retailers that sell billiard tables and billiard accessories.

Liquid Damage

The best ways of removing stains caused by liquids are the same general remedies used to remove stains from most common household items and areas like furniture and carpet. If clean water is spilled on the surface of your billiard table, make sure to dab, not rub, as much up with a clean towel as possible. Do not use abrasive chemicals to try and clean the cloth of your billiard table. In the case of liquids containing sugars or minerals--most liquids that are not clean water --you should first dab the wet area with a clean micro-fiber cloth, and then apply club soda to the damaged area. Removing stains from the cloth on a billiard table is not guaranteed, but simple, non-abrasive methods generally produce the best results.