If you like playing pool, you know that the fuzzy cloth on the table, called billiard felt, is super important. It helps the balls roll straight and makes the game fair. Whether you just play for fun or you are really good, keeping your billiard felt in good shape will make playing pool even better and help your table last longer. At Take A Break Spas & Billiards, we know how important it is to take care of your pool table. Let’s learn the best ways to keep your billiard felt nice and smooth for many years!
Why Taking Care of Your Billiard Felt Matters
The billiard felt on your pool table isn’t just there to look pretty. It helps the balls roll the right way, makes your shots accurate, and even helps your table last longer. If dust, dirt, and little pieces of chalk get on the felt, they can make the ball go slower and wear out the felt. If you don’t take care of it, the felt can get thin spots, rips, or little balls of fuzz. This can make playing pool not fun and make the balls not roll like they should.
Easy Things to Do Every Day and Week
Doing a few simple things regularly will really help keep your billiard felt in good shape:
- Brush the Felt After You Play: Use a special soft brush made for pool tables. Gently brush the felt in straight lines, not circles. This will get rid of chalk dust, dirt, and little threads that can make the balls not roll right. Do this every time you finish playing.
- Vacuum Sometimes (Very Gently!): Use a small vacuum cleaner with a soft brush part to carefully suck up any dust that’s stuck in the felt. Be very gentle and use low power so you don’t pull or stretch the cloth. Do this once in a while.
- Put a Cover On Your Table: When you’re not playing, put a cover over your pool table. This will keep dust, pet hair, and spills off the billiard felt. It will also stop sunlight from fading the color over time.
What to Do If You Spill Something
Sometimes accidents happen! If you spill a drink, act fast to save your billiard felt:
- Blot, Don’t Rub: Get a clean, dry cloth and gently press it on the wet spot to soak up the liquid. Never rub the felt because that can spread the spill and damage the cloth.
- Use a Gentle Cleaner: If there’s a stain that won’t go away, try dabbing it lightly with a mix of cold water and a tiny bit of mild dish soap. Try it on a hidden part of the felt first to make sure it doesn’t hurt it. Always blot gently to clean.
Taking Care of Your Felt for a Long Time
Here are some things you should always try to do to keep your billiard felt in good playing condition for a long time:
- Keep Food and Drinks Away: It might be tempting to eat and drink while you play, but try to keep snacks and drinks away from the pool table. This will help stop spills and crumbs from getting on the felt.
- Turn and Level Your Table Sometimes: Pool tables can sometimes sink a little bit over time, which can make the balls not roll straight. Check if your table is level every once in a while. Also, look for spots on the felt that are getting worn out more than others.
- Keep Away From Sunlight and Too Much Wetness: Sunlight can make the billiard felt fade and get weak. Too much wetness in the air can make the wood of the table bend. Try to keep your pool table in a room that doesn’t get too much direct sunlight and isn’t too humid.
When It’s Time to Get New Felt
Even if you take really good care of your billiard felt, it won’t last forever. Here are some signs that it might be time to get new felt:
- You see spots where the felt is really thin or gone.
- The felt has lots of little balls of fuzz that won’t go away.
- There are stains that you can’t clean.
- The balls don’t roll at the same speed or go in the direction you expect.
If you see any of these things, it might be time to get new billiard felt on your table. At Take A Break Spas & Billiards, we can help you put new felt on your table. We can also help you pick the best kind of felt for how you like to play and how much you want to spend.
Final Thoughts
Taking care of your billiard felt is important for keeping your pool table in good shape and making playing pool more fun. If you brush it regularly, clean up spills quickly, and try to keep it protected, your felt will last longer and your games will be smooth and enjoyable. And when it’s time to get new felt, Take A Break Spas & Billiards is here to help you get your table looking and playing its best again!
Do you need some advice on how to care for your billiard felt? Or do you want to get a price for putting new felt on your table? Come visit Take A Break Spas & Billiards at 6832 S Redwood Rd, West Jordan, UT 84084, United States, and our experts can help you keep your pool table ready for a great game for many years!
