Cleaning a Pool Table

Brush

Begin by brushing the dust and dirt into a pile on your pool table. Use a gentle brush made for cleaning pool tables so that you don't damage the felt. Brush in one direction only, using long strokes, starting at the edges and working toward the center. Don't forget to brush the felt on the rails and under the rails where dust and crumbs tend to gather. Leave the small pile of dust and dirt on the pool table.

Vacuum

Using a small hand-held vacuum, or the upholstery attachment on a full-size vacuum, clean the pile of dust and debris that you made after brushing. Then vacuum the entire pool table in the same way that you brushed it. Vacuum in one direction only, using long strokes and taking care not to damage the felt. Start at the outside and work inward.

Polish

Clean the wood or simulated wood surfaces of your pool table using a soft rag and cleaner. Use furniture polish, spraying it on your rag rather than directly on the wood so that you don't accidentally get it on the felt. Be careful not to spray over or near the felt as well. The fine mist can fall on the felt, leaving it oily, and larger drops can also splatter and damage the felt.