Felt Care 101: How to Clean & Protect Your Pool Table Cloth
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Author: Lindan Chow, Management Head – Updated {21/05/2023}
A well-brushed, tightly-stretched cloth is the difference between a lightning-fast table and one that plays like a rug. Yet many new owners vacuum too aggressively, use the wrong brush—or skip maintenance entirely. This complete felt-care guide shows you:
- Exactly how often to brush, vacuum and restretch
- A stain-removal method that won’t fade colour
- Three accessories every Malaysian owner should keep on hand
- Pro secrets for extending cloth life past five years
Why Regular Felt Care Matters
- Speed & accuracy – Chalk dust slows the cue ball and creates skid marks.
- Longevity – Embedded grit acts like sandpaper on fibres.
- Lower costs – Recovering an 8-ft table costs RM 900–RM 1 200. A RM 80 brush is cheaper!
Weekly Maintenance Routine
| Step | Tool | Technique | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brush | Nylon-bristle pool-table brush | Straight strokes from centre to rails; never circular. | 2× per week |
| Vacuum | Low-suction handheld vacuum with upholstery head | Hover 1 cm above cloth—do not press nozzle onto felt. | 1× per week |
| Rail wipe | Microfibre cloth | Lightly damp; wipe top of cushions & rails. | 1× per week |
Pro tip: Always brush with the nap (same direction balls normally roll after a break) to keep fibres flat.
Monthly Deep-Clean Checklist
-
Spot-clean chalk spots
- Dab a microfibre cloth in cold distilled water.
- Blot (don’t rub) the stain for 5 seconds.
-
Air-dry; never use a hair dryer—heat shrinks wool fibres.
-
Lint-roller pass
- Removes fine fibres the vacuum missed.
- Removes fine fibres the vacuum missed.
- Felt inspection
-
- Look for thin patches near the head spot; schedule a recover if you see weave.
- Look for thin patches near the head spot; schedule a recover if you see weave.
Annual Tightening—Why MDF Tables Need It Too
Even moisture-sealed MDF beds experience slight cloth stretch. Once a year:
- Remove corner pocket screws.
- Pull cloth toward pocket opening.
- Staple anew with 10 mm stainless staples.
- Re-install pocket liners.
Not comfortable DIY-ing? Cuebera’s service call (RM 250) includes retightening and levelling.
Emergency Stain Removal Guide
| Spill type | DIY fix | When to call a pro |
|---|---|---|
| Beer / soda | Ice cubes in plastic bag to firm stain → blot with dry cloth. | Stain larger than 5 cm or colour fade starts. |
| Grease / food | Sprinkle baking soda → wait 5 min → gently vacuum. | Any oil ring remains. |
| Ink | Use 70 % isopropyl on cotton bud—touch only ink, rinse with water. | Ink soaked through to slate/MDF. |
Remember: never use bleach, Dettol, or fabric stain sticks—they strip dye.
Accessory Essentials
| Must-have | Why you need it |
|---|---|
| Nylon-bristle brush | Soft enough for worsted cloth, stiff enough to lift chalk. |
| Low-suction handheld vacuum | Full-size vacuums crease the nap even on low power. |
| Fitted table cover | Blocks UV fade & keeps cat fur off the slate bed. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use a regular clothes lint roller?
A: Yes, but dab lightly—excess pressure pulls fibres.
Q: Should I iron the cloth?
A: Only tournament venues iron worsted cloths. Home owners risk scorching. A tight re-stretch is safer.
Q: Does humidity affect felt speed?
A: Cloth slows about 10 % above 70 % RH. Running AC or a dehumidifier keeps play consistent.
When to Recover Your Table
Signs you need new cloth:
- Visible white fibres (weft) showing through.
- Ball jumps unpredictably on slow shots.
- Cloth tears when lifting corner pocket tabs.
Conclusion
Consistent care keeps your cloth fast, vibrant and tournament-ready. Spending 10 minutes a week brushing and vacuuming saves you thousands over the table’s lifetime—and makes every game night smoother.