Having tablecloths spotless means they’re ready to go for every big meal and family celebration you have planned. Cleaning tablecloths you don’t use over the fall and winter months is also a good idea, as you should never store linens with stains because this can permanently damage the fabric.
You should never risk damaging your special occasion tablecloths so if you have any doubt about the proper way to clean them, take them to a professional dry cleaner for stain removal and ironing. Search for the household items for cleaning and read the reviews carefully.
In between professional household item cleanings, it’s good to know how to clean common stains from your table linens to avoid damage.
Wax
The flicker of candles creates a great ambiance for holiday meals, but it can also cause dripping wax stains on your tablecloth. To remove wax, you need to place a bag of ice on it to freeze and harden it then gently chip away at the wax with a butter knife or spoon. Another useful method to remove wax is to place a plain brown paper bag over it and run an iron on medium over the bag. The warmth of the iron softens the wax and the brown paper bag can then absorb it. Never iron wax directly because this can make the stain permanent and ruin your tablecloth.
Drinks
Coffee, tea, and mulled cider are some delicious beverages we like, but they can end up soaked in your tablecloth. As soon as possible after the spill happens, flush the stain with cold water, blot with a mild dish detergent, and then rinse. Use white household vinegar for any remaining stains and rinse thoroughly to avoid damage. Treating this type of stain promptly is essential for thorough removal so take it to your professional cleaner to treat your household cleaning items in the best way.
Red Wine
This is one of the scariest stains for all of us. Relaxing with a nice glass of red wine and great conversation around the table is the ideal way to spend an evening. However, that relaxation can get uncorked when someone spills on your favorite tablecloth. You can easily handle the stain by blotting the area with a paper towel until the excess liquid has been absorbed. Soak the stained section in cool water as soon as possible and pre-treat it with a stain removal product or white vinegar. If the tablecloth is machine washable, wash it at the warmest temperature safe for the color and material. When the tablecloth is a family heirloom or an antique, look for “cleaners near me” and pick the most professional one.
Here at O’Dry Cleaners, we have years of experience in dealing with different types of tablecloths. You can always rely on us!