How to care for your billiards table
Special precautions must be taken when caring for traditional billiards tables. Their playing surface does not tolerate stains and wears down over time, so will need to be changed regularly. Cornilleau's outdoor pool table, Hyphen, is free from such constraints and is impact, stain and weather resistant. Most stains can be cleaned with the brush provided, using water and a sponge. We advise you, however, to act quickly if you notice a stain. It is important to rinse the playing surface with water and to let it air dry to avoid marks. Please note that using high pressure cleaners is not recommended, except in extreme cases. Hyphen is designed to be easily cleaned, as you will see in the examples of stains below, which are reputed to be stubborn ones. For more thorough cleaning, see our specific tips for each stain type.
COFFEE
Coffee is said to leave marks when spilled on textiles, but this is no problem for Hyphen. Just clean the stain with water and a sponge as soon as you notice it. For a deeper clean, mix 1 liter of water with 1.5 cl of dishwashing liquid and use this mixture to clean the playing surface of your pool table. Then rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry.
Ketchup
You’re having a picnic or eating on-the-go during a game of pool: all it takes is a clumsy move and the playing surface of your pool table gets stained with ketchup. On traditional billiards tables, this can be a real problem. With Hyphen, to remove the stain you just wet the playing surface with a sponge, rinse and let dry. For a deeper clean, mix 1 liter of water with 1.5 cl of dishwashing liquid and use this solution to clean the playing surface of your pool table. Then rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry.
RED WINE
You’re chatting and having a drink with friends, you put your glass down on the edge of the pool table and, by accident, it tips over. To save the situation, a sponge and water may suffice if you act quickly. For a deeper clean, mix approx. 5 cl of oxygenated water with 1.5 cl of dishwashing liquid, 2 cl of white vinegar and 1 liter of water, and use this solution to clean the playing surface of your pool table. Then rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry.
ICE CREAM AND SORBET
Popular with children and adults alike, ice creams and sorbets are perfect for enjoying summer relaxation time. Hyphen, Cornilleau’s outdoor pool table is also great for summer relaxation and you need not worry about eating an ice cream near its playing surface. If ice cream happens to fall on the playing surface, just use the brush provided to remove it, then wipe with a wet sponge and allow to dry. For a deeper clean, mix approx. 5 cl of white vinegar with 1.5 cl of dishwashing liquid and 1 liter of water, and use this solution to clean the playing surface of your pool table. Then rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry.
MOIST SOIL
If mud or moist soil ends up on the playing surface of your pool table, do not despair: just thoroughly rinse it. Be sure to rinse the entire playing surface to avoid any marks. We don't recommend using high pressure cleaners, except in extreme cases.
SPECIFIC TIPS FOR EACH STAIN TYPE
For more information, here are specific recommendations for each stain type. These are more effective than water and a brush alone, and will restore your playing surface to its original condition. In each of the following cases, it’s important to gently scrub the playing surface (avoid applying too much pressure) with the recommended cleaning solution until the stain disappears, then rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry
- Coffee, cola, ketchup, mustard, milk, tea: mix 1 liter of water with 1.5 cl of dishwashing liquid
- Red berries: mix approx. 5 cl of white vinegar with 1.5 cl of dishwashing liquid and 1 liter of water
- Wine: mix approx. 5 cl of oxygenated water, 1.5 cl of dishwashing liquid, 2 cl of white vinegar and 1 liter of water
- Ink: clean with a volatile solvent such as acetone then wash with soap and water and rinse thoroughly.
YEARLY MAINTENANCE TIP
After spending the winter exposed to the elements, we recommend brushing the entire playing surface of your outdoor pool table with the brush provided in order to remove impurities.
