An Admin Buyer's Simonis Pool Cloth FAQ (Plus Headset and Earbud Questions We Keep Getting)

Simonis Pool Cloth and the Office Tech Cleanup FAQ

I manage purchasing for a 30-person indoor entertainment business. If you're not in procurement, that sounds boring. But my job means I answer a weird mix of questions: Which Simonis pool cloth should we re-order? Why won't this Logitech wireless headset connect? And yes, someone once asked me, can you clean my earbuds without breaking them?

I report to both operations and finance, so I care about three things: smooth orders, happy users, and not creating avoidable costs. Here are the questions I actually get.

• What is the difference between Simonis 860 Tournament Blue and Simonis 760?
• How do I choose between Simonis 860 and Simonis 760?
• Can I order Simonis pool cloth in smaller quantities?
• How long does Simonis pool cloth last?
• How should I clean a Simonis table?
• Logitech wireless headset or Surface Headphones: which should I buy?
• How do you clean earbuds without ruining them?

What is the difference between Simonis 860 Tournament Blue and Simonis 760?

860 is the tournament-grade cloth that most serious players recognize. It's a tight-weave worsted wool blend, and it's the first thing I order when a client wants a table that plays close to what they'd find in a competition hall. 760 is also Simonis, but it's built for a different balance: still smooth, still good, but not the same product.

The common mistake is assuming Tournament Blue is just a color. It's not just a color. The color matters because blue does not strain the eye as much as green under bright lights, but the real reason the cloth plays the way it does is the weave. From the outside, both look like a nice blue cloth. What you don't see is how the yarn is spun and how that changes speed and wear.

If you need exact specs, check Simonis's published technical sheet before you order. For a pool hall that runs leagues, 860 Tournament Blue is usually the safe call.

How do I choose between Simonis 860 and Simonis 760?

The short answer: ask what kind of play the table will see. 860 handles high-play tables and stays consistent. 760 can be a better match for a table that gets casual use or a player who wants a slightly different feel.

I don't have hard data on how many hours our tables get before the cloth needs replacing. I wish I had tracked that more carefully. What I can say anecdotally is 860 has lasted longer than the cheaper cloths we tried, and the play speed stays predictable. That matters when you're a dealer, a table manufacturer, or a repair service because your customer cares about the brand-new table feel, not just the way the fabric looks in a warehouse.

Do not buy cloth based on photos alone. The photos make 760 and 860 look almost identical. I learned that when I thought I had ordered 860 for a residential table and had to check the product code again before installation. Look at the code, not the picture.

Can I order Simonis pool cloth in smaller quantities?

Yes, and if a supplier makes you feel bad about a small order, that's a sign.

When I started in this role, one vendor made me send three follow-up emails before they'd quote a two-table order. I nearly gave up. Another vendor answered within an hour and asked useful questions about table type. That vendor still gets our business.

Today, smaller orders are normal. A table manufacturer testing Simonis cloth, a repair company doing one cloth change, or an owner trying 860 Tournament Blue for the first time all need the same quality. I've been on that side. Small doesn't mean unimportant. It means potential.

The only thing to watch is lead time. A small custom cut can take as long as a full roll because it comes from the same distribution cycle. Plan ahead.

How long does Simonis pool cloth last?

It depends on use, installation quality, and what the owner does between cleanings.

In my experience, a good Simonis 860 table in a low-volume setting can look and play great for several years. A table played every day is another story. The cloth wears in the center and around the pockets, and brush marks become more visible. Some league tables in our area get re-covered every one to two years because the club wants tournament-consistent play.

The thing I tell people is don't wait for a visible hole. The play feeling changes long before you see damage. If the ball no longer rolls true or the surface looks shiny in the middle, that's the time to start budgeting for a replacement.

Also, don't compare this cloth to older-style nap cloths. A worsted cloth is tighter and its warning signs are less obvious.

How should I clean a Simonis table?

Use a dedicated cloth cleaner. We keep Simonis X1 Table Cleaner in our maintenance closet. Spray it on a clean soft cloth, wipe the surface lightly, then brush with a proper nap brush when it's dry. Do not soak the table and do not spray directly onto the cloth unless the manufacturer's instructions say that's okay.

Water alone isn't the best daily cleaner for this fabric. It can leave minerals and push dirt deeper. Household sprays often leave a residue, and residue changes how the ball rolls. I know it's tempting to use a vacuum or a magic eraser, but I'd avoid anything that rubs hard enough to flatten the nap.

If someone spills something, wipe it quickly with a dry towel and follow with the X1 procedure. Don't let it sit.

Logitech wireless headset or Surface Headphones: which should I buy?

I can't give one perfect answer because it depends on the person wearing them. Here's what I've seen while ordering both.

A Logitech wireless headset is usually the safer pick for a busy front desk. It connects quickly, it does not cost enough to make finance wince, and the USB dongle version works on more devices than a Bluetooth-only option.

Surface Headphones sound good, and the ear cushions are comfortable, but they're a Microsoft ecosystem choice in my experience. If your team is on Teams and using Windows devices, they can work really well. If you have mixed gear, test one before buying a set. I skipped the test once because we were all on the same system. That was the one time a Windows update changed pairing behavior and a manager could not join a call. Not a disaster, but it made me pay attention.

Buy one of each and try them in your actual space before ordering ten.

How do you clean earbuds without ruining them?

First, check if the ear tips are removable. If they are, take them off and wash them with warm soapy water. Dry them completely before putting them back on. If they're not removable, use a soft dry toothbrush or a cotton swab with a small amount of 70% isopropyl alcohol.

Do not use water directly on the speaker mesh. I learned that after a wet wipe pushed moisture into a pair and one side got quieter. That was a $120 lesson. Also, skip paper towels; they leave fibers and sometimes scratch the mesh.

For the charging case, wipe the connectors with a dry swab. If you see earwax, a little alcohol helps, but keep it away from the charging pins unless you want an error message. Let everything air dry before putting the earbuds back in the case.

That's the honest version. It's not glamorous, but it keeps your gear working and your desk drawer less gross.