5 Proven ways to remove stains from your tablecloths
30th Oct 2024
Cotton tablecloths are a dining room stable. However, despite our best efforts styling the table, from red wine to olive oil, candlewax to coffee spills, mealtime can be a messy business.
But never fear! Follow our easy guide to remove stains with common household items, and keep your tablecloths looking like new.
How to Remove: Red Wine Stains
It happens to the best of us. If you (or your guests) have had a little too much of a good thing and one of your glasses takes a tumble, don't sweat it. We've got your back.
What you'll need:
● Shaving cream
● Damp cloth
● ½ cup of baking soda
Instructions:
First dab (never rub!) the stain with a damp cloth to absorb any excess, then cover the affected area with shaving cream, pat in gently and leave for 30 minutes (maybe pour yourself another glass while you wait!). Once the 30 minutes is up, pop it in the wash with ½ cup of baking soda and line dry.
Remember, the more time the stain has to set, the harder it will be to remove, so get onto it ASAP.
Our Pick
How to Clean Up: Coffee Stains
What you’ll need:
● Dishwashing liquid
● Baking soda
● Strainer
Instructions:
To stop a coffee spill from ruining more than your morning caffeine buzz, pour dishwashing liquid over the affected area and sprinkle on some baking soda (use a strainer to ensure there are no lumps). Make sure the entire surface of the stain is coated and pat in gently.
Leave for 30 minutes, then pop it in the wash with ½ cup of baking soda and line dry.
If needed, repeat the process a few times – it might take a little longer to budge more resistant stains.
Our Picks
How to Remove: Makeup Stains
This one is more for your cloth napkins than your tablecloths (we hope!), but if your favourite napkins usually finish the evening looking like a sample sale of all your friends’ go-to lippies, you might want to follow these steps.
What you’ll need:
● Dishwashing liquid
● Micellar water
● ½ cup of baking soda
Instructions:
Apply dishwashing liquid and sprinkle on some micellar water. Pat in gently. Leave for 30 minutes and (yep, you guessed it) pop it in the wash with ½ cup of baking soda and line dry.
Our Picks
How to Clean: Oil/Grease Stains
One of the most common stains on table linens comes from olive oil or grease being dropped on a tablecloth or wiped by a cloth napkin. Unfortunately, oil and water don’t mix, so washing with water isn’t going to touch these stains, but don’t despair because you have options.
What you’ll need:
● Cornstarch or baking soda
● Dishwashing liquid
● Hot water
Instructions:
Using a powder like cornstarch or baking soda is the best way to remove an oil stain. Apply the powder generously all over the stain and let it set for 30 minutes to an hour. Once the stain has finished absorbing, brush off the powder and soak in a mix of grease-fighting dishwashing liquid and hot water. Once the hour is up, rinse and dry.
Our Picks
How to Remove: Candle Wax
Who doesn’t love a candlelit dinner? From tapers to tealights, candles are a surefire way to set the mood at the dinner table. But, there’s nothing particularly charming about spilled wax. Don’t despair though, simply wax on, wax off with these easy steps!
What you’ll need:
● Blunt knife
Instructions:
Allow the wax to harden before you attempt to remove it (to speed up the process, throw your linens in the freezer – frozen wax is even more brittle and easier to remove). Once the wax is completely hard, gently flake it off with a blunt knife.
Pro tip: The dyes used in coloured candles may leave behind a stain; if an oily spot remains, refer to our How to clean: Oil/Grease Stains above!
Our Picks
Our Picks
Got questions on taking care of your tablecloths? Be sure to ask us over at @Canningvalelove