How to Clean Tablecloths the Right Way
Tablecloths protect table surfaces from wear and tear, as they are susceptible to heat damage, spills, and scratches. While the cloth helps extend the life of your table surface, tablecloths are worth preserving too, as they add a touch of luxury to your home dining experience. Spills are inevitable, but stains don’t have to be. Knowing how to properly clean tablecloths is crucial in maintaining them so you can use them again and again. Here’s everything you need to know about cleaning up spills, preventing stains, and washing tablecloths. Tablecloths come in various designs, textures, and materials. Cleaning instructions vary significantly by material: cotton, linen, polyester, satin, organza, lace, and silk all have their own guidelines. While most of these materials are machine-friendly, others are hand-wash only. Check the fabric care label for targeted instructions before cleaning so you can use the ideal water temperature and recommended detergents. For machine-washable cloth, blot excess liquids and scrape off (don’t rub) food residue. Pre-treat stains with a gentle removal solution, then machine wash according to care instructions. If care instructions aren’t available, generally, you can use warm water with gentle detergent on a low agitation cycle to clean polyester or cotton. If stains persist after the wash cycle, repeat the pre-treatment and run the cycle again. Do not mix whites with colors. Hand wash delicate fabrics, like silk, velvet, lace, and embroidered or beaded fabrics. Use cold water and mild detergent. If the care label says machine washable, place the tablecloth in a mesh laundry bag on a gentle or delicate cycle. Tablecloths made of plastics, vinyl, or disposable materials are mostly wipe-clean only. Even hand washing can damage or tear them, so simply use a damp cloth to wipe them down. Try warm water and mild soap for tough stains. How to Remove Tough Stains from Tablecloths Every stain is unique, but there are universal rules of thumb to treat stains as effectively as possible. Identify the original source to select the most effective method. With any stain removal treatment, test the solution on a small area of the cloth before applying it widely. Here is how to remove common tablecloth stains. Red Sauces Blot the excess sauce with a paper towel. If the fabric is washable, run cold water through the back of the stain immediately. Then, rub liquid detergent into the stain gently in a circular motion and let it set for 5 minutes before rinsing with cold water. If there are additional care instructions on the label, try those tactics. You should see the stain disappearing before it dries. If the stain is still there, repeat the cleaning process. Alternatively, apply a mixture of liquid detergent and baking soda directly onto the stain. Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes before washing again. For linen, satin, silk, or lace, you may need to proceed with caution. For antiques or delicates, don’t take the risk—try dry cleaning. If you go the DIY route, soak the cloth in a gentle dish soap mixed with water. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes before handwashing. Do not scrub too hard to avoid ruining the fibers. If your linen is white, apply white vinegar or lemon juice to release the stain. Let it sit for a while before washing with warm water. If all else fails, use a commercial stain remover specifically for that material. Oil-Based Food Blot any liquid oil stain with a paper towel or scrape off oily solids with a dull plastic scraper. Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch over the stain. Let it sit for a few minutes to absorb excess oil, then wash with warm water. If this doesn’t work, create a paste using liquid detergent and baking soda. Apply it on the stain and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes before washing. Red Wine Soak up any wine with a paper towel. Avoid rubbing the stain to prevent it from penetrating deeper into the fabric fibers. Sprinkle salt generously over the stain and let it sit for 10 minutes. Rinse with cold water. If the wine stain persists, directly apply a small amount of mild detergent. Rub gently with your fingertips or a soft bristle brush. Follow any additional requirements suited to the fabric material. On white linens, pour club soda over the stain, allow it to fizz, and then blot out the released wine. As you plot with a paper towel, the stain should lift and lighten. A hydrogen peroxide and water solution (1:2) should work well for stubborn stains, too. Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes, blot, and wash. Candle Wax Let the candle wax cool and become solid, then scrape off the wax using a plastic scraper or a dull knife. Cover the remaining wax with paper towels or absorbent brown paper, and then use a warm iron on top of the paper to melt and remove the remaining wax. Pen or Marker Rubbing alcohol works well to dissolve ink pigment. To blot the ink stain, use a dampened cotton ball with rubbing alcohol, then rinse the spot with cold water. Wash normally—by hand or machine, based on the material—and the stain should disappear. How to Dry and Store Clean Tablecloths After cleaning tablecloths, proper drying is essential to prevent mold and mildew. Put polyester and cotton in a dryer on low heat to minimize wrinkling, then fold or
