Have you just bought a brand-new pool table, and you want to keep it looking fresh? Perhaps you’ve had a pool table for a while now, and you want it to last you a lifetime? Maybe you even bought one from us, like our Supreme Winner Pool Table or the Slimline Prince Pool Table. Luckily for you, we at Hamilton Billiards have compiled a list of our top tips to keep your pool table in tip-top shape and prevent damage.  

Use a pool table cover  

It may seem obvious, but pool table covers are the cheapest and easiest way to keep your board safe. When you’re not using the table, use the cover to keep the cloth from fading or collecting dust. Covers can also protect from spillage and moisture damage.  

Brush the table regularly  

Use a table brush in gentle strokes, from one side to the other, to remove any leftover chalk or dust from the felt. It’s recommended that you brush your table after every ten hours of play or at least once a week, but, if you don’t have a table cover, you may have to brush more often. It’s also good to occasionally vacuum the felt, but make sure to be gentle, or you could pull the felt away from the slate. The hose extension on a vacuum often does the trick.  

Clean the rest of the table  

Clean the leather pockets with a soft cloth, dampened with either water or a clear leather cleaner, and wipe down the table legs and sides with a damp cloth before you use a good polish to make it nice and shiny.  

There no point in cleaning the felt and wood if you don’t clean the pool balls. Fill a bucket full of warm water, and add a detergent. After soaking the balls for 5 minutes, scrub each ball individually with a microfibre cloth or rag. Finally, dry off the pool balls thoroughly. Try to wipe the poor balls with a cloth after you’re finished playing, to remove any finger marks and dust.  

Keep pool cues  

When they’re not being used, store pool cues in cue racks, cue rests or cue cases to stop them from warping. Make sure they are never near a heat source, or anywhere they can become cold and damp.  

Take preventative measures  

As well as things you should do to keep your table in shape, there are many things that you shouldn’t do. For example, never place any bags, drinks, food, or anything non-pool-related on your table, as the felt is easy to damage. If you don’t have enough space for a pool table and a regular table, why not get both, in the form of our pool dining tables?  

Never attempt to move your table once it’s been set up, as they are precisely levelled and should only be moved by professionals. This also applies to sitting and leaning on your table, as this could result in the misalignment of the table’s slate and excess stress on the rails.