Pool Table Cleaning Kit? All Answers

Wesley asked: How do I remove beer stains from pool table felt? A friend spilled his half-empty beer on my pool table. I haven’t tried to get rid of the stain yet because I don’t want to further damage the felt. The patch is about the size of my hand and left the green felt a little darker. It does not affect the game. The stain just looks ugly. I have no idea where to start.

Since beer is a common drink when playing billiards, beer stains are a common problem. The felt on pool tables is not as durable as regular felt and needs to be treated with care. With gentle cleaning methods and a mild cleaning solution, the stains can be removed without damaging the surface.

You will need:

Lint-free/microfiber towels

Vinegar

Cold water

small dish

Steps to remove the stain:

If the stain is fresh, use a soft, lint-free cloth to blot up as much of the spill as possible. Try to prevent the stain from spreading by blotting from the outside and working towards the source of the spill. Blot the area with cold water to remove as much liquid as possible. The longer the beer sits on the felt, the harder it will be to remove the stain. Try to save as much of it right away so that it’s easier to clean up later. Mix a cup of cold water and a tablespoon of vinegar in a small bowl. Dampen the microfiber cloth with the solution. Blot the stained area with the dampened cloth. Rinse the cloth frequently and re-wet it with the vinegar and water mixture. Continue cleaning the area by blotting or gently wiping the surface until the stain is removed. Once the stain is gone, allow the area to air dry completely. If stains remain after the area has dried, repeat the above steps again.

Additional tips and advice

Highlights It costs an average of $300 to re-felt a pool table, with a typical price range of $250 to $300.

You can pay as little as $150 or as much as $500.

Pool tables come in three sizes, and size affects price.

The cost of refelting billiard tables is split fairly evenly between materials and labor.

You can reduce the cost of refelting billiard tables by choosing a less expensive material.

A smooth surface on your pool table is so important for a game night. But if you regularly host pool tournaments in your basement, this pool table felt can become worn and damaged.

On average, it will cost you $300 to re-felt a pool table, although the price can be less or more depending on the size of the table. The typical range is $250-$350, but it can cost as little as $150 or $500.

Related Article 6 Things You Should Do Before Buying A Pool Table These expert tips will have you up and running in no time

Average cost of replacing pool table felt

Average cost low end high end $300 $150 $500

How much does it cost to refold a pool table by type?

The larger the pool table, the more it costs to replace the felt. Pool tables usually come in three sizes: 7 feet long, 8 feet long, and 9 feet long. Here are some average costs you can expect:

Type Cost 7 foot pool table $150-400 8 foot pool table $200-450 9 foot pool table $250-500

Billiard Table Refelting Cost Breakdown

In general, the breakdown of costs for a pool wrap is relatively simple. There are only two factors: the cost of the felt itself and the labor cost of installation.

materials

Pool felt generally accounts for about half of the project cost. So for an 8 foot pool table you would spend between $100 and $250 on the felt.

work

Work makes up the other half. You will pay anywhere from $100 to $250 for an 8 foot pool table to have a professional install it.

size

Of course, material and labor costs will go up or down as you increase or decrease the pool table size. Obviously if you have a different size pool table it would require more or less felt and more or less labor to install it.

Cost to refold a pool table yourself

Photo: sandsun/Adobe Stock

If you re-felt a pool table yourself, you only have to pay for the felt. That means the cost of refelting is cut in half and you’ll likely only pay $100-$250 to get the job done.

However, trying to make this project yourself is not the best idea. Felting a pool table requires specialized training, so attempting to do it yourself will not yield the desired results.

After all, it’s not just about laying out carpets: the surface of the billiard table has to be perfect in order to be able to play billiards properly. Instead, contact a pool table professional in your area for a quote.

Tips for reducing the cost of re-felting a pool table

Aside from doing the work yourself, there are a few ways you can reduce the cost of your pool table re-felting bill.

1. Get multiple quotes

The first, and possibly best, option is to simply not accept the first offer you receive from a pool table company. Chances are there are several pool table companies in your area, so give a few of them a call and get some quotes.

Considering the only information they need is the size of your pool table and the type of felt you want, they should be able to tell you how much they are asking of their head. Therefore, it is much easier to get multiple quotes for this project than it is for more complicated home projects.

2. Choose a lower quality felt

There are actually two types of felt: napped and worsted. Shabby fabric is the standard material for felt on billiard tables. It’s a less expensive type of material that requires more brushing and maintenance, and may play a little slower.

Worsted, on the other hand, is a flatter fabric that allows the ball to move a little faster and last longer. As a result, it is more expensive. To save money, opt for naps (although it may cost you more in the long run since it requires more maintenance and you’ll have to replace it sooner).

Related Article 23 Playroom Ideas for Action-Packed Fun Warning: Your house can become a popular neighborhood hangout

Questions and answers about refelting billiard tables

Is it hard to re-felt a pool table?

Yes, it is difficult to re-felt a pool table as you need exact measurements and a precise fit. Unlike installing carpet, where fitting is only important for aesthetic reasons, accurate fitting is required on a pool table or you will not be able to play pool properly.

Can you paint pool table felt?

Yes, you can dye pool table felt a different color. Along with green, red is a common color. The best way to do this is to dip a sponge into the paint and gently rub the paint over the fabric.

How do you get paint off a pool table felt?

You can remove small stains on felt by dabbing the area with a soft cloth and picking up as much paint as possible. Then use a mixture of water and detergent to further blot the area. Then dab with clean water to rinse.

You may have spent a fair amount of money on your pool table. You have to take care of your table. Well cared for felt not only gives it longevity but also gives you a smoother playing surface.

Can I iron pool table felt? Yes you can, but first you need to clean your iron and then clean the surface of your felt. Then iron smoothly and gently, one spot at a time. “Don’t iron more than twice over a single spot, and if the spot comes out flat on the first try, don’t iron it again.

Also, pay attention to the level settings of your iron before ironing the pool table. It can damage your felt. A perfect way to check the best setting is to try it on a newspaper first. But there is a way to iron the table so that it does not spoil. In this article you will learn how to reduce the risk of damaging the felt when ironing.

What to avoid when ironing a felt?

The following things you must avoid to protect your Felty from damage and a new purchase.

The number one reason you can damage the felt is carelessness.

In other cases, it occurs when you iron felt at a high temperature above 148°C (300°F).

It can also happen if your iron has stains on its surface. The felt can pick up these stains, which later affect ball movement on the playing surface.

It is also very important not to splash water on the felt; Either you do it with a simple iron or some other way.

Pool table irons mostly adjust their settings to do this work on the felt. However, if you do it with a traditional iron, you need to be extra careful.

Don’t rush to iron your felt. You will do far too much damage if you are hasty with this task. The normal job of the iron is to smooth out many types of fabric, but pool table felt is lighter than other fabrics.

Always make sure you turn off the steam on a regular iron and it should always be on the wool setting.

Also, before placing the iron on the felt, clean the iron surface until all dirt is removed.

The best way to iron a felt

Your pool table felt should be ironed evenly so that the surface does not cause friction and slow down the ball. To get the results you want, start by cleaning the entire iron, and hidden chalk or dirt can interfere with the movement of the balls.

If you don’t clean it completely, you will cure the felt. It’s best if you do your job in terms of the right temperature. Follow the steps below to get a smooth pool table surface.

Remove dirt and dust from the pool table. The best way to do this is to sweep the dirt all the way to the end of the table. Pass them through the table pockets with the help of the brush end. You need to handle the nap. It is a fluffy or woven material that lies slightly above the felt. You need to wrap the felt surface on the back of the brush to clean it. Now the corn stuff to the back, brush it thoroughly and brush the table again. Set your iron temperature between 290 and 300 F (143-148 C). It’s better to test it before ironing. You can test it on a paper surface. If it’s too hot and your paper burns, it will also scorch the surface of the pool table. After adjusting it to the correct height and testing it, place it on the pool table and try ironing it on the side to get a smooth felt. Iron the surface twice only if you still see an uneven surface and smooth out any line marks left by the iron. Do not over-iron as over-ironing can dry out the felt and reduce its shine.

Note: Make sure your iron never touches an upholstery. Due to its rubber material, iron can ruin it. Also, never try to iron with steam settings.

Preventive care increases longevity

You don’t have to start caring for your felt if you see something unwanted on it. Provide preventative care for your felt, no matter what it looks like. These simple measures will help you make your table last longer and avoid costly repairs. Below are some ways to prevent premature pool table wear.

Pool tables don’t require much maintenance once set up and leveled outside of the occasional cleaning, but you can’t skip changing the felt. The quality of your felt will affect how well the balls move across the table, so it’s important that your felt is in good condition.

How long does pool table felt last? How long the felt will last on your pool table depends on how often you play pool and how well you take care of the felt. In general, if you play billiards on a daily basis, you can expect the felt to last 3-5 years.

If you don’t play daily (or almost daily), your felt can last twice as long. In this article, we’ll go over what you can do to extend the life of your felt and how to know when it’s time to replace it.

How to extend the life of pool table felt

If your pool table gets a lot of use, that’s fantastic. It means you’re getting your money’s worth off the table. However, it also means that your felt will wear out faster. The interaction between the felt, balls, and chalk on a pool table eventually causes the felt to wear out.

Even if you play daily, you can breathe more life into your felt by taking good care of it. We’ve put together this list of best practices to help you keep your felt in good condition for longer.

Use a pool table cover when the table is not in use.

Brush the table regularly to keep it clean.

Consider using a vacuum with an upholstery brush to remove chalk from the table.

Do not allow any drinks or food on or near the table.

Don’t take scoop shots.

Do not allow pets on the table.

Don’t chalk across the table.

Keep your billiard balls clean.

Wipe the rails. Dirt on the rails can get onto the bed.

Remember that sunlight will fade the felt.

If you follow these guidelines, your pool felt will surely last longer than if you didn’t. On the other hand, most people want to change their felt color long before the felt wears out. If you like to change up your decor often, special care may not be as important to you.

We have some very helpful posts if you are looking to remove a stain from your pool table or remove the chalk.

When to change your pool table felt

Because felt wear is largely dependent on how often you use your pool table, it’s not easy to remember your next felt change. You need to keep an eye on your felt.

Signs your felt needs changing:

It looks like it needs to be replaced. If the felt looks like it needs replacing, it most certainly does.

It feels bristly.

It has become corrupted.

It bulges when you push in with your hand.

It shows any signs of looseness.

If your pool table felt is showing any of these signs, whether you like it or not, it’s time to have it replaced.

How much does it cost to replace pool table felt?

Replacing the felt on a pool table will definitely cost hundreds of dollars. Most replacements cost between $300 and $500 depending on the size of the table and the quality of the felt.

You can save some money by buying a piece of felt from Pooldawg and re-felting the table yourself, but it’s not recommended. Even a small mistake can result in an annoyingly imperfect playing surface. But if you’re familiar with DIY methods and have thoroughly researched the process, it’s possible and will save you a few hundred dollars.

Treat your pool table like an exquisite baby grand. Chances are it probably cost you almost as much. Like a piano, your pool table must be maintained, you must clean it, and you must play it. Like any other beautiful piece of furniture, you want it to retain its beauty and functionality and to last a lifetime.

How to clean your pool table and keep it in tip-top shape for maximum durability and playability.

Pool table care: prevention

Taking care of your pool table starts with preventing dirt, dents, cracks, sun damage and any form of mishandling. Inform your guests about the rules. If you shy away from doing this, you might consider putting up a sign on the wall with some rules listed.

No Smoking Near the Table: If you allow cigarette butts and ashes near the table, you’ll soon be looking for a new piece of felt.

No drinks on the table: Drinks on the rails will damage the wood. Spilled drinks will soil the felt and seep into the tabletop below. No, you don’t have to hold your drink when playing pool. Get a nice tall side table to put drinks on.

Nothing on the table: don’t mistake your beautiful pool table for a mere countertop! It’s not the place to put your groceries or briefcase unless you love shopping for new felt every weekend. Using your pool table as a storage surface will result in the table becoming dirty, stained and misaligned. And it’s certainly not a couch. Sitting on a pool table can cause the rubber rail pads to fall off and the legs and base to move and wobble, reducing your chances of a decent round. Such action has even resulted in cracked slate.

Don’t chalk across the table: Chalk dust messes up the table and is tiny enough to get under the felt and collect over time. For experienced players who rely on absolute precision, chalk dust will ruin their trick shots. However, for beginners, chalk dust can provide the excuse they’ve been looking for. “It’s not me, it’s the microscopic debris under the table felt.”

Get a Table Cover: This part of owning a pool table is cheap. To protect your big investment, be smart and get one. Not only does it protect your pool table from dust, a table cover also protects it from sun damage, including thinning and fading of the fabric.

This nifty pool table cover from GameTablesOnline has weighted corners that keep it in place.

Instructions for cleaning a pool table:

Now that we’ve got prevention out of the way, let’s talk about how to clean your pool table.

Cleaning the felt

Dust: Your table’s biggest enemy is the smallest, dust, so you need to get rid of it. How often? After every game, the pros say, and at least once a week.

Q: Can you vacuum a pool table?

This is where the pros argue. A camp says, “Never vacuum your table.” A camp says, “Always vacuum your table.” You can toss a quarter to see which side you agree with” (but don’t throw it on the table felt, you might damage it).

The reason some pros say not to vacuum the table is that the suction power can pull the dust underneath the cloth through the cloth, damaging the felt over time. I think a good compromise is to use a vacuum but only if it has a weak suction, or maybe use a hose attachment and not really touch the cloth.

You should definitely use a soft brush to remove dust. Billiard table brushes are specially designed for the gentle cleaning of felt. The brushes are longer on the sides, allowing them to get deep into corners and along the rails. how to clean Gentle, in one direction only, like a mop of hair. Brush from one end of the table to the other.

10″ Solid Hardwood Nylon Brush, Rich Dark Cherry by GameTablesOnline.

Remove Spills and Stains:

Rule number 1: keep your drinks on the side table so nothing spills. If you still haven’t mastered rule number 1, here’s the trick to removing beverage splatters and stains. Get to them quickly. First, blot up the liquid with a dry cloth or paper towels. Next, blot, not rub, the stain with a microfiber cloth dampened with water. Then use another dry microfiber towel to blot away the moisture.

Water alone may not be enough to dissolve particularly stubborn liquid stains. In this case, dampen your microfiber cloth with a mixture of 1 cup of water and a few tablespoons of white vinegar. The vinegar will help dissolve the stain.

Some people recommend spraying on 303 Stain Guard or Scotch Guard to repel moisture and prevent spills from staining. Never tried and not recommended. Too many players have commented that spraying liquid repellents affects ball control, I’ve also heard that repellants tend to loosen stretched fabrics a bit.

Vacuum the bags

You can use the vacuum hose attachment for this. Also, wipe the pockets gently with a damp microfiber cloth. Finally, if your bags are leather, which most are, wipe them down with an oil-based conditioner every six months to keep the leather supple.

Polish the rails

Keep the finish shiny and iridescent by dusting away dust and then applying lemon oil or another citrus-based polish with a soft cloth. Stay away from silicone based products, they eat away at the finish.

Clean Billiard Balls:

The bullets are the main culprits for tracking dust and debris. After each game, make a bowl of water and some dish soap, dampen a microfiber cloth, and gently rub each ball. Buff and dry with a microfiber cloth, then spread the balls out on a towel to dry completely. For balls that are starting to yellow, mix baking soda and water into a paste. Brush gently with a toothbrush. Many experts advise against waxing cue or cue balls because it adds a film that can affect player control.

play ball

Shoot billiards or not? Well, you know the answer to that question. You have made your pool table play on it and despite all the precautions listed above, playing pool is the best form of care, both for you and for the table. Playing billiards regularly improves your game, which makes you a more confident and happier person.

Over time, the relationship between you and your pool table will grow, you will become more than friends, almost relatives. You get to know the little peculiarities of your table and adapt your game accordingly. Your pool table will respond better to you. You will develop a sixth sense so you can easily spot when something is wrong with your table, allowing you to fix problems before they escalate. More often than not, you will enjoy years of brilliant moments with the table and the other players that surround it.

Want to make friends with the perfect pool table? Game Tables Online offers a wide range of quality pool tables for recreational and commercial use. They also specialize in other game tables such as foosball, shuffleboard, air hockey and bumper pool.

Colleen Cochran, consultant at Game Tables Online, is a writer, graphic designer and lover of all things pastime.

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Remove beer stains from pool tablecloths

Since beer is the usual drink when playing billiards, beer stains are a common problem. The felt on pool tables is not as durable as regular felt and needs to be treated with care. The stains can be removed with gentle cleaning methods and mild detergents without damaging the surface.

You will need:

Lint-free/microfiber towels.

Vinegar.

Cold water

small dish.

Steps to remove the stain:

If the stain is fresh, use a soft, lint-free cloth to blot up as much of the spill as possible. Try to prevent the stain from spreading by blotting the outside and working towards the source of the spill.

Blot the area with cold water to remove as much liquid as possible.

The longer the beer sits on the felt, the harder it will be to remove the stain. Try to save as much of it right away so that it’s easier to clean up later.

Mix a cup of cold water and a tablespoon of white vinegar in a small bowl.

Dampen the microfiber cloth with the solution.

Blot the stained area with the dampened cloth.

Rinse the cloth frequently and re-wet it with the vinegar and the water mixture.

Continue cleaning the area by blotting or gently wiping the surface until the stain is removed.

Once the stain is gone, allow the area to air dry completely.

If stains remain after the area has dried, repeat the above steps.

Additional Tips & Advice:

1-piece vs. 3-piece slate pool table

It’s an age old question: which is better a three piece slate pool table or a one piece slate? Well, that all depends on who you ask.

If you ask any bar or pub owner, they will tell you that they often have to rearrange their coin-operated pool tables for special occasions. These slot machines have a one piece 3/4 inch panel for this reason. Moving a pool table in one piece can really mess up the seams where the three pieces meet on a three piece board. But these commercial billiard tables are constructed differently. The cabinet holding the slate wraps around and hugs the slate so the table stays locked in place even when tipped on its side (experience required). When the pool table is put back in position, final leveling is dialed in by commercially available leg levelers.

If you ask any Aramith Fusion pool table owner, they will tell you that they love having a one-piece 3/4 inch top because it allows them to lower their pool table to dining height and then back down with a single click raise to game level. These Fusion Tables, like the coin-operated ones, have a special frame that holds the slate firmly. These fusions don’t actually move in space, but the up and down movement of the legs requires the one-piece slate.

If you ask an owner of a one-piece slate-style pool table, they will probably give you a different reason. When they bought the table (about 35 years ago) they were told that a one piece slate was far better. A one-piece board has no seams to interfere with the pitch. It’s a perfectly smooth surface. That’s true, but remember that smooth doesn’t always equal flat.

If you ask me, a pool mechanic with 24 years of experience moving all types of pool tables, I can tell you that struggling with a one-piece slate is a pain in the butt. One-piece panels weigh approximately 450 pounds. They are difficult to maneuver when re-felting your pool table. They are more difficult to move through hallways, narrow doorways and corners. When moving a one-piece slab of slab involves stairs, carrying all that weight is not only difficult, it’s downright dangerous. Because of this, it costs more to move or maintain these types of tables.

I can also tell you that owning a one-piece slate pool table has a performance disadvantage. It is the problem of leveling the playing surface. Not every slate is perfect. There can be natural low or high spots in the stone. Especially on the larger 8′ shale pieces. No amount of shimming or tweaking can remove these.

Three-piece slates are typically at least 1/4″ thicker than their one-piece cousins. Thicker slates have fewer imperfections and are usually permanently framed with pieces of wood to further support them when placed on the pool table cabinet. Three and four piece slates start out as one piece but are cut during the milling process. They are a matched set that is left to the billiards mechanic to level properly. Experienced mechanics must exercise great caution when leveling multiple slabs of slate. You need to consider the type of flooring and the construction of the closet that will support all of the weight.

A properly leveled three piece slate will no doubt provide you with superior play. For this reason, the pros prefer to shoot on a three-piece slate pool table than a one-piece. I would prefer a three piece slate to a solid slate if given the choice. However, remember that regardless of value, number of slates, or type of table, the right professional setup is key to achieving the best possible roll.

You can wash felt fabric. Hand washing is always the best and safest way to wash felt blankets and other items.

Dry cleaning solvents and detergents containing enzymes will damage the felt.

Felt is sensitive to water temperature and movement and can shrink if not treated properly.

Add 2 capfuls or a squirt of Wool & Cashmere Shampoo to a sink or sink filled with cold water.

Submerge the item and gently stir the water with your hands to distribute the soap evenly. Soak for up to 30 minutes.

Rinse well by running cold water through the item until the water is no longer soapy.

Do not wring. Instead, squeeze the water out of the item.