Ping Pong Table Cleaning Procedure | Simple Steps

Cleaning a ping pong table is actually easy that the even a ten year-old kid can do it all by himself. Although, the proper way of cleaning the surface of the table must be properly observed. You have to know that the table surface are made out of very delicate materials. Any scratches or cracks on it can affect how the ball bounces off especially when it lands directly on them.

It is important for you to know that when cleaning your ping pong table, you should avoid applying strong chemical solvents because it can possibly damage the paint and wooden surface of the table board. The use of "Natural Cleaning Solvents" are best advised over "Artificial Cleaning Solvents".

Here are the following simple steps on how to clean your ping pong table:

1. Take Off the net from the Table

Ping Pong Table Net
Ping Pong Table Net
The very first step of cleaning your ping pong table is to take-off the net. Most "Net-Posts" are designed by the manufacturers to firmly stretch the net apart. Stretching the net are due to the adjustable screws which tightly grips both ends of the net. Thus, you will need a Screwdriver to loosen those screws. Once unscrewed, you can now remove the net.

2. Chemical Agents for Cleaning Purposes

There are various cleaning agents for ping pong tables that are available in the market today. And as stated above, it's best to choose those Natural type of cleaning products. Assuming that you have purchased a cleaning solvent to use, you have to read the instructions carefully and follow the details on how to properly apply it.

Bowl of Water and Vinegar
Bowl of Water and Vinegar
If you want to save money, you can actually use a mixture of water and vinegar. What you have to do is to fill a container with an "equal" amount of water and vinegar. Mix the two components well for about 1 to 2 minutes and when it's done, it can now be applied.

3. Clean Soft Cloth

Clean Cloth
Clean Cloth
You will need a soft clean cloth that you no longer use. This will be used for wiping the table surface. Once you have it, soak the cloth into your cleaning agent then squeeze it firmly until none of the liquid drips down from the cloth.

4. Wiping the Table

The proper way to wipe the surface of the table is to do it in circular motion. If you are a right-handed person, swipe the table surface in a counter-clockwise direction. As for the left-handed, do it in a clockwise direction.

Make sure that you do not miss any portion of the table. Keep on wiping the board until it is clearly clean enough with your visible eyes. When it's done, you can also cover the other body parts of the table such as its legs, sides, bottom edges and corners.

Wiping the Table
Wiping the Table
After wiping the whole table, you will need another piece of clean cloth. This time, you need to soak it on a plain clean water. Wipe the table surface for the second time until the vinegar contents are removed. Once done, do the same on the remaining parts of the table.

5. Washing the Net

Again, if you have purchased a cleaning agent then you can use it to wash the net. But just like the step on number 2, an alternative method is to use a mixture of an equal amount of water and vinegar.

Assuming that you have prepared a mixture of water and vinegar, submerge the net completely into the mixture. Offer the net for at least 15 minutes before taking it out.

After 15 minutes period of waiting, take the net and hang it out until it gets dry.

Going back into the table, it is suggested that you cover it entirely or keep it into a proper storage room. This is to prevent dust and other elements from starting to accumulate on it.

Moreover, cleaning a ping pong table is actually a part of being a disciplined player. If the table is heavily being used regularly then it is best suggested to clean it after its last use of the day. But if you simply play once in awhile, you can clean it every once a week.

Play Table Tennis | Good Places in London

Did you know that according to some sources, the original inventor of table tennis were a group of British soldiers back in the 1800s? Despite of this rumored claim, table tennis in the UK is not really a quite popular type of sport. It's probably due to the reason that there are only few places in London that offers training facilities or playing ground to all interested players.

Play Table Tennis>
A perfect room to play table tennis
In my searches, I came across several good places in London to play table tennis. Check them out on this following list:

1. Bounce - 121 Holborn, EC1N2TD

In order for you to play table tennis or ping pong at "Bounce", it is required to book your group consisting of at least 6 (minimum) individuals during peak hours. If you have a smaller number of group (less than 6 individuals), you are allowed to book your schedule during the off-peak hours only.

What makes Bounce one of the best place to play table tennis is that, they always have free tables for the purpose of serving them to any walk-in guests or players.

Prices:

Off-Peak L10.00 (30 mins) and L18.00 (60 mins)

On-Peak L13.00 (30 mins) and L26.00 (60 mins)

Schedule:

Monday to Saturday before 6 PM. Sunday off-peak all day! (12 PM to 11 PM).

Official Website:

http://www.bouncepingpong.com/

2. Ping - 180-184 Earl's Court Rd, SW5 9QG

"Ping" is an interesting place to play table tennis along with your family or friends because it offers a perfect game room with kitchen and bar. In short, it's a good place to have some fun, relax and unwind.

Official Website:

http://www.weloveping.com/

3. Pongathon - Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Rd, E1 6LA

"Pongathon" is actually a social playground that is dedicated to all ping pong lovers. What makes Pongathon unique is that, it they feature surprising events. Some of these events include Tournament Play, Private Play, Challenge Pongbot, Record Attempts, Mini Challenge and Pro Players.

Official Website:

http://www.pongathon.com/

Cheap Places in London to Play Table Tennis


You may find the above lists quite expensive from your pocket but on this following list offers alternative places with cheaper prices.

1. Barnet - BTTC

"BTTC" (Barnet Table Tennis Club) is open to any adult players with learning disabilities. What makes them an interesting table tennis club is that they have partnership with the Special Olympics Barnet.

For more information about BTTC, contact Lindsay Wilson at Barnet Mencap (020-8349-3842).

2. Bromley - Kemnal Table Tennis Club

Bromley's Kemnal Table Tennis Club is open to all ages including individuals with disabilities. The exact location of the club is at the Sports Hall, Kemnal Technology College, Sevenoaks Way, Sidcup DA14 5AA.

For more information, contact Len Pilfold (0208-850-3910).

3. Croydon - Monks Hill Table Tennis Club

For more information about Croydon's Monks Hill Table Tennis Club, contact Mr. Lan Moir (020-8657-1457).

4. Kingston - Graham Spicer Table Tennis Club

For more information about Kingston's Graham Spicer Table Tennis Club, contact Jane Barella (0202-8287-9346).

5. Islington - Finsbury Table Tennis Club

Islinton's Finsbury Table Tennis Club also offer Junior Coaching.

For more information about Finsbury Table Tennis Club, contact Sanket Shah (020-7253-2346).

6. Enfield - Ellenborough Table Tennis Club

For more information about Enfield's Ellenborough Table Tennis Club, contact Sylvia Tyler (01673-8435655).

If it happens that you know some other good places to play table tennis in London that has not been mentioned on the list above, feel free to suggest them on the Comment Form provided below.

Common Table Tennis Injuries

Unlike most popular sports such as basketball and soccer, table tennis is a "non-contact" type of sport. This means that players don't have to physically touch, push or hold one another. But despite of no physical contact involve, injuries may still occur.

Slippage Accident

Here are some of the common injuries that may happen while playing table tennis:

1. Slipping Down on the Floor

Table tennis or ping pong is a fast-paced type of sport which involve quick body movement. With such speed, try to imagine yourself that you suddenly slipped down on the floor. You will surely suffer a painful impact on the floor's hard surface. And depending on how you land on the floor, the consequence can be severe.

Most slippage accidents actually results in dislocations of joints. In some rare cases are head-cuts. It's because there are some instances that when a certain player slipped, his or her head will land on the table. Chances are, the player's head might hit the corner-edge of the table which results into a cut.

Some common reason why slipping accidents occur are drops of water, sweats (from previous players) and any other liquids that are unnoticed on the floor. Thus, before you intend to play, always make sure that the floor is thoroughly cleaned before using it.

2. Unstable Table

Most common manufactured tables these days are those with rollers which allows you to move it around without any help from another individual. Other than the roller, the table can also be folded inwards for storage so that it does not take too much space. There's actually a threat with this two features of the table.

First, there are some instances that the person who setup the table may fail to properly lock the roller-brakes. The accident occur when players begins to play. Their movements (especially jumping) can cause the roller-breaks to be released. And as a result, the table could hit one of the players in such a bad way.

Second, there are really some players who have the bad habit of sitting or leaning on the table. So if it happens that the table is the foldable-type and it isn't properly locked, the table won't be able to support the weight of the sitting or leaning individual which will most likely collapse.

3. Cracked Blade

There was one of my experience about a cracked blade incident that I couldn't forget. It was when one fellow member of our table tennis club had forgot to bring his own paddle. Unfortunately, none of us had an extra paddle to lend it to him. The only available paddle was the old paddle with a small crack on its blade laying around the storage room.

Being too lazy to go back home, he took and used the old paddle.

After playing for about 15 minutes, the blade suddenly snapped and it went flying up into the ceiling and landed right onto the head of one of the spectators from the bleachers. Thus, the moral lesson is not to use broken or cracked blade.

4. Stepping on the Balls

Some players may be training themselves with "Multi-Balls". These is a type of training where the player receives multiple served balls to improve their counter shot skill. As a result, some of the balls that fell may roll under nearby tables with other unaware players playing on it.

An accident occur when one of the player from the nearby tables will step on the ball resulting into slippage.

5. Collision with another Individual

You have to know that when a certain player is playing or practicing, he is fully concentrated on his front view but isn't aware on his back. However, the common accident that usually happens is that, there are some individuals who choose to walk or pass behind a busy player. If it happens that the player aggressively move backward at the same time that another person is passing behind, the collision between the two could result into a potential serious injury.

6. Body Pain due to Stress

Some players are putting too much effort into their practice where they often ignore stress or body pain. You have to know that everyone has its own limits. If you choose to exceed the limitation of your body, this could result into some serious life-time body pain conditions.

Such body pains are the following:
a. Lower back pain
b. Knee joint pain
c. Wrist joint pain
d. Shoulder joint pain
e. Ankle joint pain