Pool ball maintenance doesn’t just keep your table looking good—it directly affects game quality. Over time, balls collect oils, dirt, and chalk residue, which can:

• Transfer grime onto the felt, increasing table upkeep and shortening fabric life.
• Cause erratic ball movement, leading to poor bounces and unpredictable recoil.
• Create friction that disrupts the natural roll, impeding shot accuracy.

Even a slight layer of dust or oil can change how your cue ball responds. For a visual demonstration of how contaminants impact play, check out this short video.

Choose a cleaning method for your ball material and follow the maker’s directions. Here is how to approach manual cleaning, unsuitable household substitutes and polishing machines.

Method 1: Ball Cleaner & Cloth

This is one of the simplest ways to preserve your pool balls’ appearance and performance.

Step 1: Wipe Off Grime

Use a microfiber cloth to gently remove surface dirt from each ball. Place them on a clean towel.

Step 2: Apply Cleaner

Use the amount and method specified on your cleaner. For Aramith phenolic balls, Aramith’s directions say to shake the bottle, apply cleaner, rub and buff with a dry cloth or suitable electrical buffer.

Step 3: Buff and Polish

Spread the cleaner with a separate microfiber cloth. Polish until you achieve a glossy surface, switching towels as needed.

Step 4: Final Buff

Finish according to the product instructions, removing residue with a clean cloth. Do not invent a drying period or apply wax or silicone to change how the balls play.

Household Soap & Detergent: Check Before Using

The household products pictured here are not a general recommendation for billiard balls. Simonis advises against cleaning balls with water. A ball-specific product approved by the ball maker is the better starting point; do not assume a dish-detergent soak is harmless.

Step 1: Identify the Ball Material

Check the brand and material and use its care instructions. Vintage or unidentified balls deserve particular care; ask a specialist before applying a cleaner.

Step 2: Follow the Approved Method

Clean and buff as directed by the ball maker. Do not immerse the set or rinse it under a tap unless those instructions explicitly permit that method.

Method 3: Using a Polisher Machine

If you prefer a professional finish with minimal effort, a ball polisher machine may be your best bet.

Use the polisher manufacturer’s instructions for capacity, cleaning product and cycle duration. There is no universal three-minute cycle. Keep the pads clean so they do not redistribute residue. Aramith allows a suitable electrical buffer in its cleaning directions.

Inspect balls regularly for chalk, oils and other residue. Aramith recommends its cleaner after each game; follow the instructions for your own set rather than relying on a universal monthly schedule.

• Before Play: Check for visible residue and damage, especially if the set has been stored for a while.
• During Heavy Use: Keep clean cloths and the approved ball cleaner available; refresh polishing-machine pads as instructed.

Regular care helps keep balls and table cloth clean. Identify the ball material, use an approved cleaner and finish the job according to its instructions. A machine can make repeated cleaning convenient, but neither a household detergent soak nor a fixed cycle time is a universal solution.