You must clean your pool table regularly if you want it to look like new. You can keep your pool table clean and it will be easier to use. The best way to achieve this is with a brush.
The local billiards supply stores will sell brushes made specifically for cleaning felt pools tables. These brushes are gentle for the felt and remove dust as well as lint. A regular household brush can be used instead if you don’t wish to spend too much. It is important to not use too many forceful strokes, as this can damage the surface.
Another option for cleaning the surface of your pool table is a steam cleaner. Steamers are useful in removing stains from the felt, but they can set them if you don't get them out completely. For this purpose, you can also apply a natural stain remover such as equal parts of water and white vinegar. However, you should allow the stain time to dry before applying any other products.
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. More serious players should clean their tables more frequently.
The next step after you have removed any stains is to clean the pockets. Before you begin to work with the felt, it's a good idea for the pockets and rails to be vacuumed. You will need a damp cloth, soft cloth and a vacuum crevice tool to clean them.
You should also use a soft lint free cloth to blot up the stains. Avoid using paper towels. These can trap fibers that could be left on your felt.
You can also purchase a spray-on product that will better remove stains. You can find these products at your local hardware store, or online. They can be substituted for products found in your billiards supplies store.
Once you've applied the cleaning solution to the felt, wipe it down with a clean, damp cloth. However, don't rub the stains. Use light strokes to avoid felt stretching out.
Give the felt on your pool table some time to air out. Avoid smoking and drinking near the table. Chalk marks are also not a good idea.
After you have cleaned the table you can place the cues on the cue rack. You shouldn't store them in extreme temperatures or in places where the moisture can cause them to rot.
Lastly, you'll need to clean the balls. While this is a very common practice, you should be cautious. Many home-based cleaning products are designed to remove tough grime, and can damage the felt. A specialized cleaner can also be used to protect the felt.