You must clean your pool table regularly if you want it to look like new. This will keep your pool table in great shape and make it much more fun to play on. The best way to achieve this is with a brush.
You can find brushes designed specifically for cleaning felt pool tables at your local billiards supply store. These are gentle on the felt and will also remove dust and lint. However, if you don't want to spend too much money, you can try using a regular household brush instead. However, be cautious as too many strong strokes could cause damage to the surface.
Another option for cleaning the surface of your pool table is a steam cleaner. Although steamers are helpful in removing stain from the felt they can also be used to set them. To remove stain, you can use equal amounts of water and vinegar. But you'll want to be sure to allow the stain to dry before playing on it.
You should not damage your pool table felt. Pool table felt is weaker than regular felt. Most recreational players should clean their tables once per week. For more serious players, a more frequent cleaning schedule may be recommended.
Next, clean the pockets after you have removed the stains. It's a good idea, before you start working on the felt, to vacuum the pockets. You will need a damp cloth, soft cloth and a vacuum crevice tool to clean them.
To remove stains, you should use a soft, lint-free cloth. Avoid using paper towels. They can trap fibers that may be left on felt.
A spray-on solution can be purchased, which will do a better job of stain removal. These products are either available in your local department store, or online. They can be used as a substitute for the products sold in your billiards supply store.
After you've applied cleaning solution to the felt wipe it down using a damp cloth. Be careful not to rub the stains. Use light strokes to avoid felt stretching out.
You'll want to give the felt on your pool table a few minutes to air out. You should not drink near the table, smoke, or place ashtrays on the rails during this time. Also, you don't want to leave chalk marks on the surface.
After cleaning the table, the cues can be stored in the cue rack/cue stand. You shouldn't store them in extreme temperatures or in places where the moisture can cause them to rot.
The last step is to clean your balls. While this is a very common practice, you should be cautious. Home-based cleaners are often designed to remove hard grime and damage felt. Using a specialized cleaner will also help to protect the felt.