Need to remove spots from your tablecloth? In this post you will find useful washing tips. We all have spills sometimes. A cosy evening is usually never 100% spotless. A glass gets tipped over, someone spills when serving up. How do you remove the spots from your beautiful linens? And how do you ensure that your tablecloth is again free of spots and wrinkles, shining on your table during the next dinner? This post gives a few indispensable tips for removing spots and neatly storing your table linens. They might come in handy after your brunch or dinner.
Washing tip 1 – Get it wet
The best advice for every spot: keep it wet. It does not matter what you use: water, sparkling water, milk, gin or champagne (although we personally find that to be a terrible waste). By diluting the spot with water, you limit the damage. After the meal, leave the cloth in a bucket of cold water overnight, and wash it at the recommended temperature the following day.
Washing tip 2 – Watch for grease
Gravy, sauce, butter… it is all grease. You can best remove that by first getting the spot wet, so that the grease can dilute (see above). When you are ready to wash it, rub the spot with concentrated washing detergent. Then wash as usual.
Washing tip 3 – Handle candle wax
Candle wax is a separate category. It gets into the fibres and leaves a layer behind. The best thing you can do is to get out the ironing board. Set the iron on low heat and cover the candle wax with a few layers of paper kitchen towels. Then iron the spot carefully through the paper towels. The candle wax becomes soft from the heat, easily absorbing into the paper towels. You remove the last traces of candle wax in the normal wash programme.
Washing tip 4 – Out, out with the fruit!
Fruit is delicious, but it leaves nasty spots behind. Do you have a strawberry, berry or cherry spot on your linens? Sprinkle it with lemon juice, but be careful of colours and delicate weaves. In the latter case, you are better off using a lemon dish soap that you dilute slightly and then apply to the spot. Then wash as usual!
Washing tip 5 – Be gone, chocolate spots
Chocolate spot? Do not start off right away with cleanser or detergent. You run the risk of fixing the spot that way. Instead, use milk to dilute it, then rinse with water and rub it gently. Does this approach not work? Then it is time for harsher measures, but always try that first on a discreet place!
Don’t let the stains ruin the party
The most important tip, which applies for every occasion and for every spot, is really: don’t let the stains ruin your party! Enjoy the company, the food and socializing. In most cases, that carries on. Do not let the good mood be ruined.
Ironing?
I am not that big on ironing, myself. But I have discovered that it is not strictly necessary either, for example if you dry the cloth outside after washing. When it comes off the line, the wrinkles have often nearly disappeared in the breeze, and it is a matter of tidy folding and letting the weight of the other tablecloths in the cabinet do the rest. What I also sometimes do: when the cloth is a still a bit damp, lay it on the table. Then it lies smooth and flat, and it dries nearly without wrinkles. My favourite tablecloths I hang on large hangers in the closet. These are big and sturdy.), or I roll them up carefully. That handles wrinkles surprisingly well.
Want to read more about spots and spot removal? The best source of information is still always our own mothers. They always have advice.
All images in this post: Pinterest