How to Clean Snooker Balls Properly: A Practical Guide
Published · Mark O'Sullivan
Dirty snooker balls are one of the most overlooked reasons for frustrating frames. Chalk dust, skin oils and cloth fibres build up on the surface, and before long your reds skid, your cue ball picks up kicks, and even a well-struck pot runs offline. The good news is that keeping a set clean takes minutes, costs very little, and genuinely improves how the table plays. Here's how to do it properly.
Why clean snooker balls matter
A snooker ball is a precision sphere. When grime coats it, three things happen. First, the ball loses its smooth roll, so lag and positional shots become less predictable. Second, chalk and dust act like fine grit, causing kicks — those nasty little bounces when cue ball meets object ball. Third, a dull, sticky surface picks up even more dirt, creating a vicious circle.
Quality sets like the ARAMITH SUPER PRO CUP 2" REDS & YELLOWS POOL BALL SET** are engineered to a tight tolerance and finish, but that finish only performs if it's kept clean. The same applies to a home PowerGlide Snooker Ball Set or a budget Snooker 17 Ball 2" Set — keeping them clean is the single cheapest way to make any table play better.
What you'll need
You don't need anything exotic. A good basic kit is:
- Warm water and a mild washing-up liquid (a tiny drop)
- Two soft, lint-free microfibre cloths — one to wash, one to dry and buff
- A dedicated ball or cue polish if you want extra shine
- Optional: a specialist cleaner/restorer for heavily dulled balls
Many cleaning bundles sold for tables include exactly the right cloths. A kit such as the Pool Table & Rail Brush 5 Set, Billiard Pool Table Felt Cleaner Accessories with 2 Wooden Pool Table Brushes, Cue Cleaning Cloth, Ferrule Polish Cloth & Sticky Lint Roller throws in polishing and lint cloths alongside brushes, and the more comprehensive LAKINGO Pool Table Brush Set for Felt, Billiard Table Cleaning Accessories with 2 Wood Brush, 4 Ferrule Polish Cloths, Cue Shaft Cleaner Cloth, Sticky Lint Roller, Storage Bag (12 Kit) adds several ferrule and shaft cloths that double perfectly for buffing balls. These are inexpensive imported sets — not luxury items — but they do the job well.
The method: step by step
1. Light daily wipe
After a session, wipe each ball with a dry microfibre cloth to lift chalk dust before it bonds to the surface. Thirty seconds now saves a deep clean later.
2. The proper wash
For a thorough clean, dampen a cloth with warm water and the smallest amount of washing-up liquid. Wipe each ball individually, paying attention to the band where it contacts cloth and other balls. Rinse the cloth as it picks up grime so you're not just smearing dirt around.
3. Dry immediately
Dry each ball at once with a clean, dry cloth — never air-dry, as water spots and residue dull the finish. Buff in small circles until the ball squeaks clean.
4. Polish (optional)
For a show-ready shine and a slicker roll, apply a dedicated ball polish sparingly and buff off. A polishing tool like the is sold for cue and ball cleaning and gives a handy, consistent finish for the money.
Cleaning kit at a glance
Here's how a few affordable, widely available options compare for keeping your balls (and table) in order:
The 12" Genuine HORSEHAIR BRISTLES MAHOGANY WOODEN HANDLE Snooker or Pool Table BRUSH isn't for balls directly, but a clean cloth is half the battle — brushing the table before you play stops balls picking up fresh dust the moment they're racked.
How often should you clean them?
- Every session: a quick dry wipe to remove chalk.
- Every week or two (regular home play): a full warm-water wash and dry.
- Monthly or so: a polish if you like a glossy finish and faster roll.
- As needed: a deeper restorative clean if balls look yellowed or feel tacky.
Clubs with heavy daily use clean far more often; a once-a-fortnight home table rarely needs more than the routine above.
What to avoid
Most ruined ball sets are damaged by the cleaning, not the playing. Steer clear of:
- Harsh solvents — acetone, white spirit, bleach and strong household sprays can cloud, craze or soften the resin finish permanently.
- Abrasive pads or scouring sponges — they scratch the surface and leave balls duller than before.
- Dishwashers and soaking — never submerge balls for long periods; prolonged water contact can affect the finish and any numbering.
- Dirty or coarse cloths — a gritty towel grinds chalk back into the surface.
- Too much polish — a thick layer attracts dust and makes balls slippery and inconsistent. Less is more.
If your balls are genuinely worn, chipped or no longer round, cleaning won't fix it — it's time to replace the set rather than chase a shine that isn't there.
The bottom line
Clean snooker balls roll truer, kick less and simply feel better under the cue. A dry wipe after every session, a gentle warm-water wash every week or two, and an occasional polish is all it takes. Keep a couple of soft microfibre cloths in your kit, resist the urge to reach for harsh chemicals, and your set will stay fast and fair for years.