Can you wash wipe-clean tablecloths?

Simplicity and efficiency are qualities to look for in wipe-clean tablecloths. Food & drink spills can make a table-top look an eyesore; it will prove simpler to keep clean with an easy-to-wipe surface. Wipe-clean tablecloths can be manufactured from a variety of materials, and you may wonder whether you can wash them once they get dirty.

Find out in the guide below how to go about washing your wipe-clean tablecloths properly and avoiding damaging them in the process.

1. Clean immediately

As soon as anything spills on your tablecloth, clean it up. Some spills such as curry or beetroot may cause stubborn stains when left to remain on the cloth. To wipe, you’ll need a sponge or similar soft material that won’t scratch the surface.

It would help if you acquired quality wipe clean tablecloths made of acrylic, oilcloth or vinyl PVC that won’t quickly succumb to wear & tear. Cloths are there to help protect your table-tops and, as such, shouldn’t be easily damaged by accidental spills or regular wiping and use.

2. Dealing with stains

Some food and drink spills on a tablecloth can cause stains. Water and washing up liquid will clean most food and drink marks. Avoid machine washing or tumble-drying.

To clean vinyl, dampen a clean colour-fast cloth with isopropyl alcohol to remove grease and ink stains. Begin cleaning from the outside, moving towards the centre to help reduce the spread of the stain.

Then, use water to rinse it off with a clean cloth and allow it dry. No matter how ingrained a stain is, don’t attempt to remove it using bleach as it tends to dry it out, causing cracks. Using abrasive cleaners is also not advisable due to their harsh nature that leaves scratches on the cloth.

For patterned oilcloth, test clean a small area first. If there are no ill effects, you can proceed with the rest of it.

Despite this type of tablecloth being easy to wipe down, you should give it a thorough cleaning once in a while. You’ll need a big surface such as a bath or large sink in which to wash it. A tumble dryer or a washing machine is not ideal for cleaning your tablecloths.

Lukewarm water is the most suitable to use with a mild detergent to avoid damage to the cloth. The use of harsh detergents or bleaches can damage your tablecloth. You can then rinse and then drip-dry it on a washing line rather than wringing it out.

3. Treating mildew & mould

Depending on where your tablecloths are, mould & mildew can affect them. The likelihood is outdoor tablecloths will be more affected than those located inside the house. Laying a tablecloth out in direct sunlight is the best remedy as it can kill mould naturally.

After airing it out, use water and washing up liquid to wipe it clean. Then, rinse off with clean, cold water. Finally, apply distilled white vinegar using a clean cloth and wipe it down with backward & forward movements. Without rinsing it, hang the tablecloth on a washing line to dry completely. Proper care is needed to keep wipe-clean tablecloths looking good for years to come.

[disclosure*]

Why you should get a round dining table

Dining tables take their place in most homes across the world. People enjoy eating together and these tables are where families gather, sit around, chat and make memories. Dining tables are also great for dinner parties, doing homework and sitting down for a coffee. Because of how important this piece of furniture is, choosing the right one can be quite a big decision.

One of the best types of dining table that you can get for your home is a round dining table. In this post, we’re going to explain why you should get a round dining table.

Better flow

The first reason why you should think about getting a round dining table is that there’s more space in your dining room when you do. These tables have no corners so there’s more room for you and your guests to walk around. This also means that you should be able to fit more chairs around the table due to the fact that there are no right angles. People will be able to get in and out of their seats easily and avoid bumping into each other or having to shuffle out past others.

Guests can speak

One of the big problems that people have to deal with at a dinner party is when they are at one end of a table while the person that they want to talk to is at the other. This can often mean that people feel left out but luckily, this only really tends to happen with rectangular tables. Think about investing in a round table if you want to allow your guests to speak to each other easily. Fishpools have written an article on choosing a dining table which goes into detail about round tables and what you should consider when selecting one. Use the guidance provided to ensure you select the right table for your room. Your dinner party conversation will be a lot more free-flowing and you won’t have to worry about who’s going to sit at the head of the table… because there is none!

The design

Getting a round dining table is not just about convenience and saving space, it’s also a choice because of how good these tables can look. Round dining tables are bang on trend and your guests will be really impressed with how you have added this great piece to your living room. Depending on the décor of the room, you could get an antique wooden table; a space-saving, drop-leaf one or even a modern, glass-topped example.

It’s more modern

Traditional dining tables are rectangular in shape, so if you’re looking for something a little more modern then you should try out a round dining table. They can really give a modern feel to your dining room if you choose the right one. Consider getting a round dining table if you want to modernise your dining room and show it off to all of your friends when they come over for a dinner party.

Great for small spaces

The final reason that we think that you should invest in a round dining room table is that they’re great for small spaces. Often, people with smaller homes struggle to find attractive furniture that they can fit in without making it look cramped. With a round dining table, you can achieve exactly this, and no one will even notice that your room is small when they come to visit. You’re sure to find a round dining table that will fit your available space.

Final thoughts

There are so many different types of dining table that you can choose for your home. Round dining tables are space efficient and beautiful tables that you can choose for your home. When your guests come around for your next dinner party, they’ll be able to get in and out of their seats freely without having to worry about shuffling in and out of seats every time someone needs to get up. In addition, round dining tables work great in small spaces and can really make a difference to your small home. Take our advice on board and try out a round dining table in your home.

[disclosure*]

Miniature woven garden furniture

Last week’s quirky item was a vintage miniature organ – this week we’re going even smaller in scale, with this even more miniature woven garden furniture.

They’re very 1950s – and very sweet too. The set comprises of a table & four chairs, a bench and two armchairs. To give you some idea of size, each chair stands 9cm or 3½ inches tall.

We like the lemon yellow and crisp white colourway – and the detail is fabulous. It’s so pretty – we’d happily use it in our own garden if we were 6 inches tall ourselves!

Anyone out there with dolls or a dolls house that need garden furniture – or would just like them as a decorative piece in their own right, just drop us a line. There’ll be no expensive furniture removal costs! The eight piece set is priced at £35.00.

Charity Vintage: Formica topped tables

(end 29 Jul, 2014 20:10:04 & 20:14:34 BST)

Looking for a vintage Formica topped table for your kitchen, madam? We have this lovely yellow one you may be interested in – perfect for eating your breakfast at. No? Yellow not your colour scheme? How about this beautiful powder blue example, madam? Have you seen its drop leaf mechanism? A great space-saving option for a compact kitchen!

The pair are for sale as separate lots by Wesley Community Furniture*. The starting bid on each is a very fair £20 but are available by collection only from Manchester.

*Wesley Community Furniture aims to work in partnership with others to provide furniture and other household items at the lowest possible prices to those in greatest need in Manchester, to further relieve poverty by providing jobs, volunteering and training opportunities, and to recycle and re-use as much of the material we receive as possible.

H is for Home Harbinger

Tag: tables