Cleaning & Caring For Your Table Tennis Table – The Essential Guide

A quality table tennis table is a serious investment – we’re talking hundreds or even thousands of dollars. You may even have invested in one of the best table tennis tables (our opinion!).

At Racket Insight, we’ve seen high-end tables still playing perfectly after 20+ years of use, while cheaper ones sometimes don’t even last a single season.

The difference? Proper care and maintenance.

Here’s the thing about table tennis tables: they’re surprisingly delicate. One careless moment or a few months of neglect can cause irreversible damage to even the most expensive table.

But with the right care routine, your table could last decades.

If you’ve invested in a quality table (like the ones we recommended in our buying guide), this guide will show you exactly how to protect that investment and keep your table playing like new for years to come.

1) Keep Your Table In A Clean, Dry Space

Let me share the single most important lesson I’ve learned about table storage: you absolutely must keep your table in a clean, dry space.

A few weeks back, we had renovations made at our club, and the tables were just sitting there with no cover on.

After the renovations were made, the tables ended up with tons of dirt, grime, and dust on them. This can affect not only the tabletop but also the frame and wheels.

If you can keep your table in a clean place, you’ll have to clean it much less often. It’s not only better for your table, but also much more convenient.

In addition, if you can fold both halves of the table and keep them upright. This way, people won’t leave anything on the table, and it won’t get in the way of anyone.

Another advantage is that, given that it takes up less space when stored upright, you’ll have more options in terms of where to leave the table.

2) Cover Your Table With A Protective Sheet

Regardless of whether your place is clean or not, your table will be exposed to dust and particles of some sort.

If you want to be extra careful, make sure to cover your table with a protective sheet. We’ve written a guide featuring the best table covers if you want help on which one to choose.

Table covers are great, not only because they protect the table from dust, but also from bangs and scratches.

If the cat gets on the table, if someone throws their keys over the table, etc., the tabletop won’t get damaged if you have a cover on.

We only think of the table when we’re playing, but it’s out there 24/7. Table covers are the best way to “insure” your table when you’re not playing.

3) Avoid Direct Sunlight

One of the biggest mistakes in terms of table care is keeping your table in direct sunlight.

Time and time again, I’ve seen tables with their paint faded. This is because, at some point in their life, they were exposed to direct sunlight, one of the most harmful things that can happen to a table.

Once the paint has faded, yes, you can restore it, but it won’t be the same as new, and you will probably end up with a table that has an uneven, irregular bounce.

So, avoid having your table exposed to direct sunlight. If you have to have your table near a window, purchase a set of blinds or curtains to protect it from the sun.

4) Only Leave Your Racket On The Table

At a previous club I used to go to, we were allowed to do everything we wanted with the tables. We could leave anything on them and it’d be okay.

At my current club, we can’t leave anything on them other than our rackets.

I initially thought this was an excessive measure. I mean, what harm does it do to leave your bag or your bottle of water on the table? Well, it turns out that quite a bit. 

If you leave your bottle of water, bag, keys, shoes, food, or any object, it will scrape against the tabletop.

Imagine throwing a 5kg bag over the table. It’s something that happens very often at many table tennis clubs.

Little will happen if you do it once or twice, but believe me, this type of small, recurrent damage will accumulate over time.

So, the rule at our club is that only rackets are allowed on the table. You leave anything else on it, you get scolded, and for good reason.

The result? Some of our tables have more than a decade of daily use, and they look brand new.

5) Cleaning Your Table Regularly

As for cleaning your table, we suggest that you do it relatively frequently, not only so that your table remains in optimal condition, but also so that your rubbers degrade much more slowly.

You see, if you play on a dusty surface, your rubbers will lose their grip much faster because the ball will pick up the dust, and the particles will stick onto the rubber and damage it.

If you’ve played in parks before, it’s a similar effect. You’ll notice that your rubbers degrade much faster because of how dirty the ball gets. So, make sure that the playing surface is nice and clean before playing.

If there’s only a small layer of dust on the surface, a dry microfiber cloth is more than enough. However, you might have to dampen it with just a bit of water if the surface is dirtier. 

Some recommend cleaning the table with a mixture of water and vinegar. While I’ve never tried this method, it’s supposed to clean the table much better than with a dry or damp microfiber cloth.

In addition to clothes, you can use sponges, which work just as fine.

Just don’t use a dry cloth if there’s a thicker layer of dust, because by trying to pick up the dust with the cloth, you will end up scratching the surface.

Simple Maintenance Checklist

At our club, we keep things simple with these basic maintenance routines:

After Playing

• Put the protective cover on (this takes 30 seconds and makes a huge difference)
• Make sure nothing is left on the table
• If the table is visibly dirty, give it a quick wipe with a dry microfiber cloth

Monthly

• Give the table a thorough clean (about 15-20 minutes):
  • Use a slightly damp microfiber cloth if needed
  • Pay special attention to any visible marks
  • Clean both halves of the table evenly
  • Let it dry completely before covering
• Check the net:
  • Proper tension (should be firm but not overly tight)
  • Attachments are secure
  • No visible damage
• Look for any marks or damage that weren’t there before

Every 6-12 Months

• Full table inspection (about 30-45 minutes):
  • Check all screws and bolts for tightness
  • Test the folding mechanism moves smoothly
  • Make sure wheels lock and unlock properly
  • Look for any rust spots, especially near the legs
  • Check table leveling (a ping pong ball should roll consistently)
• Clean the underside of the table and frame
• If you have a vinyl cover, check for any tears or damage

At my club, we do this check every 6 months for tables that get heavy use (4+ hours daily) and yearly for tables used less frequently.

Even with daily use, a good table will last many years if you follow these basic maintenance steps.

Remember that most table damage happens gradually through neglect rather than suddenly through accidents.

These checks might seem like a lot, but they only take a couple of hours per year total, and they’ll add years to your table’s life.

The Reward of Regular Care

At our club, we’ve seen tables that look brand new after a decade of use, and others that were ruined within months. The difference? Simply following these basic care guidelines.

Keep your table in a clean, dry space, protect it with a good cover, shield it from direct sunlight, be strict about what goes on the table surface, and clean it regularly. It’s not complicated, but it makes all the difference.

I’ve seen firsthand how a well-maintained table makes playing more enjoyable – the ball bounces more consistently, your rubbers last longer, and you don’t have to deal with those annoying dead spots or uneven surfaces that plague neglected tables.

Remember, if you’ve invested in a quality table tennis table, taking care of it properly isn’t just about protecting your investment. It’s about ensuring you’ll have years of great matches ahead of you.

Trust me, your future self will thank you for it!