Foosball is an entertaining game that usually involves one-on-one competition or can be played in teams of two. This tabletop game combines elements of both soccer and football. With a playing field featuring two goals, the primary objective is to be the first team to score five goals against your opponent.
Seeing that both the “playing field” and game materials are on the table, its maintenance is of utmost importance if you want to really enjoy the game. You will find in this article the tips and instructions on how to keep your foosball table in tiptop shape.
How To Clean The Foosball Table
To begin maintaining your table, start by using a clean, dry cloth to wipe away any loose dirt and debris from the foosball table’s surface. Foosball tables come in various materials, and the cleaning method depends on their composition.
Plastic or metal-framed tables can be cleaned effectively using warm soapy water. Conversely, when it comes to wooden foosball tables, this approach is not suitable. Excessive water exposure can lead to warping and bending of the wood, ultimately causing damage to an otherwise well-maintained table.
For wood, lightly dampen the cloth with rubbing alcohol and wipe down the top surface. It’s important to use alcohol sparingly to prevent liquid from seeping into the wood. For stubborn black stains, you may need to apply multiple coats. Avoid using harsh cleaners like floor or countertop cleaners, as they can damage the surface.
How To Clean The Balls
Similar to cleaning the table surface, you can also utilize rubbing alcohol to clean the foosballs. This is essential for removing black marks and debris that could affect gameplay. It may require some effort, as you’ll need to vigorously rub the foosballs with a towel dampened in rubbing alcohol to ensure they are thoroughly cleaned.
How To Clean The Players
With the rest of your foosball table now gleaming, it’s time to focus on cleaning the players themselves. Foosball players can endure some wear and tear, and their intricate designs make them prone to collecting dust and debris.
To clean them, grab a clean, dry microfiber cloth and lightly dampen one corner with rubbing alcohol. Ensure the cloth is moist but not excessively wet, and then delicately wipe the surface of each player.
This part of foosball maintenance can be somewhat time-consuming. Depending on your table, you’ll have between 22 to 26 players, and all the design details may require a bit of effort to reach every small crevice.
Rod Maintenance
Over time, bars on foosball tables can bend, especially when the table is leaned against or players exert pressure on the rods, especially when they are extended far out, creating leverage. Although this issue can affect tables across the board, it’s more common in lower-end models.
Instead of immediately purchasing a replacement rod, you can attempt to straighten the bent rod. To do this, locate the point where the bend originated and insert it into the table so that the bend aligns precisely with the entry point. Ensure that you twist the rod so that the curved part faces downward, with the handle pointing upward. Gradually apply downward pressure to the rod, taking care not to exert excessive force.
Do this incrementally to avoid over-bending the rod in the opposite direction or causing further damage. Additionally, educate players not to lean on the rods to prevent future occurrences of this problem.
It is also important to keep the rod lubricated so that it doesn’t snag or creak during gameplay. Do this regularly after each cleaning sesion. We don’t want the rod to get stuck in the middle of a good game now, do we?
Make Sure the Table Is Level
After cleaning and lubricating your rods, it’s time to inspect the rest of the foosball table. Begin by ensuring that everything is in proper working order. Tighten any loose screws using a wrench or screwdriver. Once you’ve secured the table, it’s crucial to verify that the table’s base is level. This step is essential for fair gameplay.
You can’t have your playing field leaning over to one side. This will affect all of the ball’s movements around the table and hinder a good game.
To check the table’s levelness, position a ball at the center of the playing surface and observe whether it rolls on its own. If it does, make adjustments to the table’s orientation to achieve balance. This maintenance task is vital to maintain a fair and enjoyable foosball game.
Fix Broken Parts Before They Get Worse
After a bit of time of owning the table, you might encounter instances where small components like trim lose their adhesive from the manufacturer and start to come loose. It’s crucial to act promptly and reapply glue to secure these parts, as delaying the repair can lead to further deterioration, potentially resulting in these parts snapping off during gameplay.
If the edges of the mat are starting to come off, glue it back down for an easy fix. Also, regularly check your ball and players for any chip and scratches that might get bigger in time.
Conclusion
Regularly maintaining your foosball table is crucial to safeguard your investment and ensure an enjoyable, fast-paced gaming experience. A foosball table’s arch-enemies are dirt, debris, unsightly ball marks, and accidental drink spills.
To keep your table in top shape, it’s advisable to clean it on a weekly basis when used frequently, and at least once a month with low to moderate usage.
Additionally, we suggest providing side tables for players to place their drinks on, reducing the risk of spills and helping to maintain table cleanliness. While some tables have corner coasters, these won’t prevent cans or glasses from tipping over, especially since foosball tables can shift during gameplay or send balls flying off the top, potentially causing drink spills. If a spill does occur on the table surface, promptly dry it with a towel to prevent any warping, as this is the simplest way to prevent damage.