This may seem like an obvious statement to some people – and not so obvious to others – but to keep your ping pong table in good playing condition, you need to keep it clean!
Any dirt, dust, or even dried in stains can all affect play in significant ways. One of the key aspects of table tennis is the ability to place spin on the ball to dictate play. While you might have spent a great amount of time mastering top spin (as an example), if the ball hits anything but a smooth table surface, the spin of the ball will be impacted and changed.
Therefore, in this article, we are going to walk you through how to clean a ping pong table. It’s not the most complicated process and while it’s a boring task, it needs to be done frequently in order to get the most out of your practice/games.
How to Clean a Ping Pong Table
Here we will tell you the cleaning process step by step, making the process as easy and quick as possible.
Cleaning the Table
To clean a ping pong table, follow these steps:
- The first thing that you need to do is to remove the net, this will help make the process much easier.
- Now you will need to find a dry cloth and gently rub it all over the table. This will help to get rid of any surface dirt or debris from your table.
- Spray a surface cleaner, either store-bought or a homemade vinegar solution, onto a damp cloth and run this gently all over the tabletop.
- You may need to repeat this last step several times if there are particularly dirty areas or leave the solution to work if there is anything sticky on the surface.
- Dry the table using a dry cloth.
Cleaning the Net
To clean a ping pong table net, follow these steps:
- Make a vinegar solution by adding one part vinegar to five parts of water.
- Put this solution in a container or bucket.
- Place the net into the bucket so that the net is in the solution but the supports are not.
- Leave to soak.
- Rinse well in water.
- Leave to dry.
Why You Should Keep Your Table Tennis Table Clean
There are many reasons why you must keep your ping pong table clean and they are not all as obvious as you may think. Some are for maintenance and some are for play.
Obviously, the main reason to regularly clean your table tennis table is to ensure that it lasts a long time. This will allow your table to remain in good condition and if you ever choose to sell it, it will be much easier if it is clean.
Another reason why you should always keep your ping pong table clean is so that you can play a good game. If there is anything on the table such as dirt or even a sticky substance such as gum residue or tape then this can affect your game.
If your ball happens to hit this section of the table then it will affect how it bounces and spins. This means that your gameplay will be inconsistent through no fault of your own.
There is actually scientific research and reasoning to show the different factors that impacts spin in table tennis.
A filthy table will also mean dirty paddles. This is because as the ball hits the table it will collect dirt and dust on its top and when it hits your paddle all of this will be transferred. A dirty paddle is not a good thing as it can also negatively impact your gameplay.
This is why it’s also important to clean your ping pong paddle
Dirt causes a ping pong paddle to lose tackiness which can impact your spin on the ball.
How to Maintain a Ping Pong Table
The best way to maintain your ping pong table is to regularly clean it, ensuring that it is free of dirt and that any metal parts are oiled.
There is no exact frequency that you should clean your table but rather this depends on several factors such as the environment and the amount that you use it.
As a general guide, you should clean a ping pong table every 2 weeks to minimise the buildup of dirt and dust.
If you are keeping your ping pong table in a dirty environment, for example, in the garage, then it is much more likely that your table’s surface will collect dust, dirt and other debris. However, if you keep your ping pong table in the living room then the chances are that it will remain clean for much longer – simply because most people keep their living rooms clean and free from dust.
So, keep an eye on your table and if you notice that it needs cleaning – clean it! As a rule of thumb if you quickly clean the table with a damp cloth before every use you will keep it in a good condition.
Another way to maintain your ping pong table is to use gentle cleaners or homemade solutions. A lot of household cleaners are too strong and contain too many chemicals that would destroy the table’s surface. So, avoid using harsh products.
Excess moisture can also cause damage to your ping pong table and this is both when cleaning it and the environment that you keep it in. So, if you live in a particularly humid part of the world then keeping your ping pong table in the backyard is not the best option as this will cause wear and tear.
The reason for this is that many tables are constructed out of wood which, when wet, will bend and warp, causing the table to lose its correct shape. So, you can even damage your table when trying to take care of it. During cleaning use water sparingly as a little will go a long way.
If possible remember to use a ping pong table cover when it is not in use even if the table is kept inside as this will stop it from collecting any dust.
Final Thoughts
Ironically, keeping a ping pong table clean is actually easier than keeping the ping pong paddle itself clean. With that being said, your ping pong table still requires a regular cleaning and maintenance routine.
To thoroughly clean a ping pong table, first you need to remove the net and place it in a cleaning solution – like vinegar mixed with water. Next, wipe the table with a dry cloth or vacuum it to remove dirt and debris.
Spray the table with a surface cleaner and wipe it over with a mildly damp cloth to remove any stains or stubborn dirt patches. Wipe it over again with a dry cloth to remove any excess moisture and finally remove your net from the solution and leave it to dry.
There are some other miscellaneous tasks you can do occasionally like lubricating any metal components but following this cleaning method every 2-3 weeks will keep your table in good condition, both visually and for play.