How Do You Maintain A Ping Pong Table?

So you just purchased a ping pong table?

Great! Congratulations on your investment. Your next step should be to plan a frequent maintenance routine to ensure the longevity of your table.

There is a popular saying that “If you truly value something , you will go the extra mile to protect it” , and i couldn’t agree more. In life , maintenance is key to protecting the things , people and investments we truly value.

Considering how expensive a good ping pong table is (it costs $300+) , maintenance is required to prevent the table from possible damage due to exposure, be it indoor or outdoor.

So , How Do You Maintain A Ping Pong Table?

The #1 maintenance tip for most people is to always clean the ping pong table with cleaning solutions and while there is nothing wrong with that , i see it more as a reactive method rather than proactive.

A smart (and proactive) way to maintain a ping pong table is to purchase a ping pong table cover.

Hold on….Let’s break it down :

The reason why you constantly clean a ping pong table is to get rid of dirt and obvious stains on the surface , right?

Those dirt and stains accumulate over time due to constant exposure to the environment and bad practices such as eating on your ping pong table , right?

By using a ping pong table cover , you not only reduce the frequency with which you clean the table ,  you also get rid of bad habits such as eating on the table which could result in stains. The table will always be covered and stored away when no in use , rather than leave it open for dirt to feast upon.

See Top Covers On Amazon

How To Clean Ping Pong Table

The most common way to maintain a ping pong table is to clean it. There is no set frequency for this and how often you should clean depends on how frequent you use table.

For instance , if you use the table less frequently (say once or twice a week) then you can do thorough cleaning once in 3 months. However , if you use the table very frequently (everyday) then you may consider cleaning it once a month or every 2 months , depending on how dirty the top is.

Here’s a step by step guide on how to clean ping pong table :

Requirements :

• 3 pieces of small , soft cloth
• A bowl / bucket
• Clean Water
• Vinegar or Cleaner

Step 1 – Remove the Net :

The first thing you should do is remove the net and lay everything bare. Removing the net will allow you effectively clean the table without obstruction.

Step 2 – Wipe off dust on the surface :

Next , before we start proper cleaning , use a small cloth to wipe dust off the table’s surface.

Step 3 – Get your cleanser ready :

Here , you have 2 options.

You can use Vinegar , a natural household cleaning agent , or purchase this specially manufactured cleaner for ping pong table.

If you’re going to use Vinegar , it is recommended that you dilute the vinegar with water before applying it on your ping pong table. This is because Vinegar is acidic and can damage the wood of the table if used in its raw form.

If you’re going to use the cleaner , you have no worries. It is specially formulated for ping pong tables to maintain their quality.

Step 4 – Clean The Table :

If you’ve gone past the first 3 steps , you’re ready to go.

Spray the cleaner (or apply the vinegar) on the top of the table and use a small cloth to gently massage (clean) the table until all dirt is gone.

Step 5 – Wipe the surface :

Wipe the surface with a another dry cloth to remove any water residue on the table. Wipe thoroughly until the table is completely dry.

Step 6 – Re-install the net :

Don’t forget to re-install the table tennis net after you are done cleaning.

You’re good to go!

After following the steps above , your ping pong table should be looking clean and fresh , like you just got it new.

I hope you found this article very helpful!. I also you recommend you read my guide on how to clean ping pong paddle.

See also :

• Buyer’s guide on table tennis conversion top

Roland Campbell

Hey! , I am Roland Campbell , a recreational table tennis player for over 5 years and counting. I do a lot of research on table tennis (Ping Pong) and publish my findings here at Pingthatpong.