Pool Table Care & Maintenance

A well-maintained pool table will play consistently and look great for decades. Neglect the basics and you'll be looking at refelting, recushioning, and leveling work much sooner than necessary. Here's what every pool table owner should know.

Caring for Your Felt

Felt is the most visible and most talked-about component of a pool table, and it's the one most affected by how the table is used and stored. Two things damage felt faster than anything else: moisture and sunlight. Keep your table covered when not in use, and position it away from windows where direct sun can fade and weaken the cloth.

Brush your table regularly — but do it correctly. Use a dedicated pool table brush and always brush in the same direction: from the head of the table (where you break) toward the foot. Never brush side to side or in circles. Consistent directional brushing trains the felt's nap to lie flat, which produces a truer, more consistent roll. This takes a few weeks of regular brushing to establish, but the improvement in play is noticeable.

Never vacuum your felt. The suction can pull up the nap and damage the fibers. Never use household cleaning products on felt. If something spills, blot it immediately with a clean, dry cloth and call us if you're concerned about permanent damage.

Caring for Your Cushions

Cushion rubber degrades over time even on tables that see little play. The natural oils in the rubber dry out, the rubber hardens, and the cushion response becomes inconsistent. If your balls are dying on the rails or bouncing at odd angles, your cushions may need replacement. See our recushioning service for more information.

Caring for Your Pockets

Leather and leather-look pockets benefit from occasional conditioning with a leather conditioner or saddle soap. This keeps them supple and prevents cracking. Avoid silicone-based sprays — they can make pockets slippery and cause balls to bounce out rather than drop cleanly.

Keeping Your Table Level

Pool tables can go out of level over time due to home settling, seasonal wood movement, or changes in the floor beneath them. If you notice balls consistently rolling in one direction or drifting during a straight-line shot, it's time for a professional leveling check. We include leveling with every service call — or schedule a standalone leveling visit any time.

Covering Your Table

A quality fitted cover is the single best investment you can make in your table's longevity. It protects the felt from dust, moisture, and UV damage, and it keeps the rail leather supple. Covers are available in a range of materials — ask us for recommendations when we're on site.

Table Brush Direction Matters

Worth repeating: always brush in one direction. Pick the direction and stick with it. The breaking direction (from the head spot toward the foot) is a natural choice because that's how the balls primarily travel. Once the nap is trained, you'll notice the difference in ball roll immediately.

Questions about your specific table? Call 770-601-8795 — we're happy to give advice over the phone, or schedule a visit to assess your table's condition.