Care

Brushing your Table:

Brushing your table cloth is the most recommended technique for cleaning billiard cloth, as it is the least invasive and manages to remove the majority of material. The type of brush used should have either nylon or horse hair bristle. The length of the brush can range from nine to twelve inches, a larger brush recommended for larger tables, as they get the job done faster. A person should start brushing from the end of the table that has the “baulk” line or break line and the name plate, which is most commonly referred to as the “head” of the table or where you break the balls from. Brushing should be in one direction only, from head to the “foot” of the table.
This is most important when dealing with snooker cloth. Snooker cloth has what is called “nap”. Nap is a term used to denote the direction of a cloths weave. Balls travelling against the nap will move differently then travelling with the nap. Some billiard cloth is non-directional, hence has no nap. It is still wise to brush pool cloth in one direction, as it puts the least amount of stress on the cloth, stretching the cloth in only one direction. It is also the most efficient. The amount of force applied to the brush should also be regulated to prevent the cloth from stretching too much. Use only as much pressure as required for all the bristles to make contact with the cloth, no more, no less. We recommend that a table’s cloth should be brushed after every ten hours of play or at minimum once a week. If the table is left uncovered, more frequent brushing may be required
Begin at the head rail and brush down table it is just that simple and it only takes a minute to have a nice table ready to go.

HOW TO VACCUM :

Do not use a very powerful floor model. The suction could pull up the fibres too much. Just use a good model meant for light duty and one that has attachments. One with a brush and a narrow long slit you can get up under the rails with. Brushing is good but you are mostly just moving the dirt around and shoving some of it into the pockets but to get more of it you now must vacuum as well.
Vacuuming a table, if done with care, is an excellent way to remove stubborn dust, chalk, and pet hair from a cloth, even pulling debris resting on the slate through the cloth. This should be done in one direction, just like brushing. A brush attachment must always be used, never use straight suction or rotating bristles, as these will pull on and stretch the cloth. Brushing will move some dirt off the cloth and into the pockets and off the cloth, but when we remove cloths to replace them, there is always a lot of dirt underneath, that brushing can’t reach, but a vacuum will pull it out, so that is a necessary function.

WATER:
It does not hurt Strachan Cloth so do not be afraid to use it. Strachan Cloth is made with the same cloth your business suit is made out of. It is not damaged if you get caught out side in the rain. It dries and is fine the next day. Same thing with your pool cloth. The brush pushes some off but leaves it under the cloth. The vacuum suck some out but does nothing about the dirt pressed into the fibres by the pressure of the rolling balls. There is only one way to remove that. H20, simple water. Take an old towel and soak it in water, then squeeze it where it barely dripping and start at the top like the brush and wipe down table. When you get to the side pockets, add more water and flip the towel. When you get done you will not believe the chalk dirt you removed. Your towel will be trashed and a different colour. Toss it in the washing machine and use it over and over. You will need to wait 5 to 10 minutes until the water dries until you can resume play. Under the cloth is the slate which is a piece of rock so there is nothing to damage.