A table tennis table can last for many years and even decades with the right care. The most important thing is cleaning. Because cleaning the table prevents damage and scratches. But be careful! If you clean a table with the wrong means, you will cause more damage yourself. In this article, you will learn how to clean a table properly.

A table tennis table is cleaned by first removing rough dirt and dust. Then wipe the table with lukewarm water, a little dish soap, and a soft cloth. Then dry it thoroughly.

Since indoor and outdoor tables are made of different materials, it is important to distinguish between the two when cleaning. We start here with the outdoor tables…

How do you clean an outdoor table?

Tables that are used outdoors are naturally much more susceptible to dirt than the ones used indoors. That’s why you should clean them more often. Although they are basically weatherproof, small impurities can lead to damage in the long run.

For cleaning, you do not need any special means. You should have everything ready:

• Lukewarm water
• Dust cloth or duster
• Dishwashing soap
• Soft cloth
• Dry cloth

There are also tabletop cleaners specially designed for this purpose, but they are not really necessary. 

This is how you proceed with the cleaning: 

1. Remove the net

In most cases, it is advisable to remove the net before repairing it. This could be a nuisance in the next steps.

2. Carefully remove rough impurities

Before wiping, it is important to check if there is any rough dirt on the surface, such as small stones or leaves. These could cause scratches when wiping. (To learn how to remove scratches, click here).

3. Remove dust

Then it is a good idea to first remove the dust from the surface with a cloth or a feather duster.

4. Wipe the surface

Now it’s time for wiping. Add some dish soap (not too much!) to the lukewarm water and wipe the surface carefully with a soft cloth or sponge until all dirt has disappeared. For worse stains, you can also let the detergent soak in for a while.

5. Dry the surface

Afterward, you only need to dry the surface with a suitable cloth. 

How to clean an Indoor Ping Pong Table?

Indoor tables are by far not as robust as the outdoor versions. They are not made to withstand wind and weather. (It is not possible to weatherproof indoor tabletops).

Most indoor tables are mainly made of wood. Therefore, you should be careful especially with moisture and water when treating them. Otherwise, they can quickly deform.

That is precisely why it is advised to clean them with water as rarely as possible. Often this is not even necessary, because they are indoors. This is what you need for cleaning: 

• Lukewarm water
• Dust cloth or feather duster
• Washing-up liquid
• Soft cloth
• Dry cloth

So the cleaning itself is not very different from the cleaning of the outdoor tables. However, you should be even more careful when using water and detergent. This is exactly how you proceed:

1. Remove the net

Here, too, it is advisable to remove the net before you start repairing it. This could be troublesome during the next steps.

2. Carefully remove rough impurities

Especially indoor panels are susceptible to scratches. Before you start wiping, it is also important to check whether there is coarse dirt on the surface. You should remove this carefully.

3. Remove dust

Dust should actually be the most common contamination in the interior. Often it is enough to remove the dust with a feather duster or microfiber cloth and without water. 

4. Wipe the surface

Now it’s time for wiping. It is important that you use water and detergent sparingly. The cloth or sponge should really only be damp and not really wet. 

Add some dish soap to the lukewarm water and carefully wipe the tabletop with a soft cloth or sponge until all impurities have disappeared. For indoor panels, it is best to refrain from letting the water “soak in”.

5. Dry the surface

Afterward, you only need to dry the surface with a suitable cloth. It is important that you do this immediately and do not waste time.

If you proceed in this way, your table should become clean again without any problems. If you want to use other means, it is important that you pay attention to the following.

Which things to avoid when cleaning a Ping Pong Table?

Whether indoor or outdoor table the wrong cleaning can harm the table more than it helps. In addition to the above instructions, there is the following to consider:

• Do not use greases, waxes, or polishes, otherwise, you could damage the surface of the table. It will then lose grip and become too slippery.
• Do not use aggressive cleaning agents. Especially alcohol can damage the surface.
• Do not use too hard cloths, sponges, or brushes. This can quickly lead to small craters.

How do I disinfect table tennis tables?

Especially because of the Corona pandemic more and more people have started to play table tennis. Thereby safety and disinfection should always be the priority. 

Since most disinfectants contain alcohol, which is harmful to the surface of the table, it should not be treated with it. 

So how do you disinfect the tabletop? The answer is simple and practical. Because dishwashing soap destroys the fat layer of viruses (source) as well as the Coronavirus, making it harmless.

So with the instructions for cleaning table tennis tables, you disinfect them at the same time.

How to clean the frame of a table tennis table?

Of course, not only the surface belongs to a table tennis table, but also the frame. In order to prevent the frame from breaking and to ensure that the table can be folded without any problems, the frame should also be cleaned regularly.

This is how you proceed:

1. Remove rough dirt

You can carefully remove coarse dirt with a broom.

2. Dusting

Often the frame is a bit dusty. Like the surface, you should therefore thoroughly dust the base.

3. Wipe

You can wipe the bars of the rack with a slightly damp cloth.

4. Lubricate and maintain

Last but not least, you should lubricate the frame regularly with common household oil. This prevents damage and also annoying squeaking.

How to clean the wheels of a table tennis table?

Broken wheels on your own table tennis table can be very annoying. It is then not even on the floor and is no longer really mobile. Therefore you should also clean the wheels of the table.

You proceed analogously to the frame:

1. Remove rough dirt

You can remove coarse dirt carefully with a broom.

2. Dusting

Like the surface, you should dust the base thoroughly.

3. Wiping

If necessary, wipe the wheels with a slightly damp table.

4. Lubricate and maintain

The wheels should also run smoothly. For this, you can lubricate them regularly with common household oil. This prevents damage and also annoying squeaking.

The right cleaning for more fun

Table tennis should be fun. If the tabletop becomes uneven or even damaged due to poor cleaning, this can quickly spoil the fun. 

So regular care is only for your own fun and ensures that this does not change in the years to come. So here we go 😉