How to Clean Pool Balls With Baking Soda

Clean, smooth billiard balls not only enhance the appearance of your pool table set, but it might help improve your playing and help protect your investment.

Things You'll Need

• Baking soda
• Mild dish soap
• Water
• Soft cloth
• Lemon juice

Instructions

Cleaning Billiard Balls with Baking Soda

1. Dust the billiard balls with a dry, very soft cloth such as a cloth diaper. Be careful you do not scratch the balls, as scratches mar the finish and could affect the performance during play.

2. With a mixture of mild liquid dish soap and water, gently wash each ball individually using a cloth (not a scouring pad). Rinse the ball with clean water and allow it to air dry.

3. Make a paste with baking soda and water. Gently rub each billiard ball with the paste, then buff each ball dry.

4. Make a solution of 1/2 water to 1/2 lemon juice. Use a soft cloth to apply the solution to each billiard ball, then dry and polish.

Tips & Warnings

• Ivory balls are not yellowed by the sun. In fact, sunlight will prevent yellowing. Turn each ball periodically to prevent yellowing in areas not struck by direct sunlight.

• Make sure there are no seeds if using fresh lemons. Better yet, use bottled lemon juice.