Short answer: Pool table maintenance comes down to four habits: brush the cloth in one direction after you play, keep a cover on between sessions, keep the table out of sun and damp, and check it is level whenever it moves. Clean balls and a clean rail line finish the job.
By Andy Gibson · Updated 19 October 2026
How often should you brush a pool table?
After each session if the table is played often, and at least once a week otherwise. Chalk dust and cloth fibres build up in the cloth and under the cushions, and that build-up slows the table and makes the roll less predictable. Predator, which makes Arcadia cloth, suggests a brush once a week or after about 10 hours of play. Garlando advises brushing often in the first three months of a new cloth, while it sheds loose fibre.
How do you brush a pool table properly?
- Use a cloth brush. Horse hair or pure bristle lifts dust without wearing the cloth. The Formula Sports 10 1/2in brush mixes 85% horse hair with 15% nylon; the Peradon Deluxe 12in is pure bristle for fine woollen cloth.
- Clear under the cushions first. A rail brush reaches the gap where the cushion meets the bed, so that dirt isn't swept back across the cloth later.
- Brush in one direction, in overlapping straight strokes. Never in circles: circular strokes work dust into the weave. Garlando and Predator both say to brush the same way every time, towards one end or pocket.
- Follow the nap on napped cloth. Snooker and many English-style pool cloths have a nap, a directional finish that runs from the baulk end to the top (black spot) end. Run a hand down the cloth: with the nap feels smooth, against it feels rough. Brush with it, from baulk to top. Worsted cloth, used on most American tables, has no nap, so any one direction works.
- Collect the dust at the end and lift it out with the brush or a pocket, rather than pushing it back across the bed.
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Can you vacuum a pool table?
Occasionally, and gently. Predator says a low-suction vacuum with an upholstery attachment is fine for an occasional deep clean, and that strong suction can stretch the cloth. Garlando says to vacuum in one direction only. Brushing remains the everyday job.
How do you clean a spill on pool table cloth?
Blot it straight away with a dry, clean cloth; don't rub. For a mark that stays, dab it with a cloth just damp with clean water; Garlando finishes its own cloth care routine with a damp cloth. Don't soak the cloth or use household cleaners on it. The better rule is prevention: keep food and drinks off the table and the rails, and chalk your cue away from the table so the dust doesn't fall on the bed.
Do you need a pool table cover?
Yes. A cover is the cheapest protection a table gets. It keeps dust off the cloth, stops things being set down on the bed, and blocks light: sunlight fades cloth, and a faded patch can't be fixed without recovering the table. Choose one with a drop over the rails so the cushions are covered too.
| Cover | Sizes | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Formula Sports PVC | 7, 8 and 9ft; 20 cm drop on the 7ft | Home tables, light daily use |
| Formula Sports Heavy Duty | 7ft, 7ft coin op, 8, 9, 10 and 12ft | Shared rooms and venues; blocks more light |
| Heavy Duty With Skirt | 7ft, 7ft coin op, 8 and 9ft | Covers the frame and legs too |
| Palko PU Leather | 7 to 12ft, 150 mm drop | Heavy vinyl in black |
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Where should a pool table go in the house?
Away from direct sun, heaters, air-conditioner vents and damp. Garlando warns that very high temperature or humidity can make the cloth wrinkle and loosen, and Predator notes that UV with humidity can make it lift. A covered table in a steady room keeps its cloth longest. Don't sit or stand on the table: the weight can knock it out of level.
How do you level a pool table?
- Use a long spirit level on the bed, not a rolling ball. A ball rolls off line on a worn or napped cloth even when the table is level.
- Check in three directions: along the length, across the width at each end and the middle, and corner to corner.
- Raise the low side, a little at a time. Most tables have adjustable feet; on fixed legs, use firm shims. Recheck after every change.
- Recheck after a move, and after the first few weeks in a new spot as the floor settles.
On a slate table, if the feet are level but the bed isn't, the slate itself needs adjusting. That is a job for a table fitter.
How do you clean pool balls?
Chalk, cloth fibres and skin oils build up on balls, change how they grip the cloth, and carry dirt back onto it. Aramith's own Ball Cleaning Liquid is rubbed in and buffed off with a dry cloth; for marks that won't lift, its Ball Restorer goes first, then the cleaner. Aramith recommends its micro-fibre cloth, which doesn't leave lint on the balls. See ball cleaning.
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When does pool table cloth need replacing?
No maker sets an interval: it depends on play and care. Replace it when the cloth is torn, has bald or shiny patches along the main lines of play, or plays noticeably slower and less true after a thorough brush. Recovering is a fitter's job, and a cover and regular brushing put it off longest.
Frequently asked questions
Which way do you brush a pool table?
In one direction, in straight overlapping strokes, never in circles. On napped cloth, brush with the nap, from the baulk end to the top.
How often should a pool table be brushed?
After each session on a busy table, and at least weekly on a home table.
Can I use a household vacuum on pool table cloth?
Only on low suction with an upholstery attachment, now and then. Strong suction can stretch the cloth.
Should I keep my pool table covered?
Yes, whenever it isn't in use. A cover keeps off dust and light, and stops the bed being used as a shelf.
How do I know if my pool table is level?
Put a spirit level on the bed lengthways, across and corner to corner. Don't rely on rolling a ball.
How do I get a stain out of pool table cloth?
Blot, don't rub, then dab with a cloth just damp with clean water. Avoid soaking the cloth or using household cleaners.
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