A stunning tablecloth can add sophistication and appeal to any dining table, but inevitable spills and stains can be worrisome. Whether it's a dinner party mishap or an accidental spill during a casual meal, knowing how to effectively remove tablecloth stains can save you from unnecessary stress and extend the life of your cherished linens. But how do you get rid of those pesky stains once the damage has been done? Well, on this page, we'll walk you through some tried-and-true methods to remove common tablecloth stains. From coffee and tea stains to the dreaded red wine and grease stains, you’ll learn how to effectively remove anything from your linens. We’ll go through each section at a time – let’s get started!

Coffee and Tea Stains

Tea is definitely the most stubborn stain of the two. Use OxiClean™ or any other oxygen-based stain remover. Keep a spray bottle filled with equal parts white vinegar and water in your laundry room, spray the area, and then gently rub it before going into the washing machine. A very important rule that applies to any stain is to inspect the tablecloth when it comes out of the washing machine. If there are still any stains, do not put your tablecloth in the dryer. The heat will cause the stain to be permanent. Instead, continue treating the stain.

Dairy Stains

Milk stains are one of the easiest to remove. If milk has spilled, gently blot with a clean cloth or paper towel, removing the liquid. Rub the stain with laundry detergent and then rinse. Since milk, creamers, and ice cream contain protein, rinse the area in cold water (warm or hot water sets protein stains into the tablecloth even more).

Red Wine

Removing red wine stains can seem like a nearly impossible challenge. The good news is that a spill does not have to ruin your evening or your tablecloth. The quicker you act, the easier it will be to remove. The longer it is allowed to sit, the more stubborn it will be. Immediately blot as much as possible with paper towels. Blot do not scrub! Then generously apply table salt to the stained area. Salt will pull the red wine out of the cloth. Leave the salt until you have finished your meal. If you do not have salt, use baking soda, baby powder, or even cat litter. Allow the salt to settle for five minutes. If none of these dry materials are available, blot the stain with vinegar, WD-40, hydrogen peroxide, or even milk. Boiling the milk first works even better!

Grease or Oil Stains

Since grease and oil stains are not water soluble, simply washing is not going to remove butter, gravy, and oil stains. Apply either a dry powder (baking soda, cornstarch, or flour) or spray WD-40 to the soiled area and allow to sit for an hour. This allows for the grease or oil to be absorbed. Next, brush off the powder and soak the stained area in a bowl with hot water and dish liquid for an hour before rinsing. Allow the affected area to dry out and then inspect to see if the stain has come out. If not, repeat the process.

Lipstick

Lipstick is not a kiss of death to your napkins. On the contrary, removing lipstick stains is very easy. Take a white vinegar spray bottle, spray it on the lipstick, and then dab gently before putting it into the wash.

Water Stains

Water splashed onto your tablecloth or a liquid ring left from a cold beverage usually comes right out in the wash cycle. If it does not, spray the stain with vinegar.

 

Common Stain Removers

WD-40 is our favorite for removing any stains from grease to wine, even candle wax. Made to dissolve rust, this solvent breaks up the particles of red wine and is safe to use on tablecloths. Spray the stained area and allow it to soak for a few minutes. Dab gently with a clean wash rag or paper towel. When the stain begins to transfer to the cleaning cloth, use a clean area to continue to remove the stain from the tablecloth.

Vinegar and hydrogen peroxide are also great for removing stains from tablecloths. If using one of these, mix with a smaller amount of liquid detergent. Soak the stained area in your sink or bowl for at least 30 minutes before rinsing and then placing the cloth in the washer. Vinegar or hydrogen peroxide neutralizes the red and purple pigments while the detergent helps clean the fabric.

Remove Any Stain With These Simple Instructions

We hope this page has provided you with the answers you need on removing tablecloth stains. If you have specific questions about how to wash polyester tablecloths, we have another resource page dedicated to just that. Feel free to check it out for additional instructions!

Whether you use tablecloths for daily meals, special occasions, dinner parties, events, or holidays, knowing how to launder them properly will keep your linens looking new and prevent wrinkles as much as possible. On this page, you’ll find information on how to wash polyester tablecloths, and how to care for them properly in general. The below information also applies to polyester/cotton blend table linens.

Caring for Polyester Tablecloths

Most tablecloths today are either polyester tablecloths or polyester/cotton table linens. At Lift Your Table®, we use “tablecloths” as a general term and “table linens” or “linen tablecloths” when we’re talking about polyester/cotton or cotton fabric. Linen tablecloths can present more of a challenge due to cotton being absorbent, and therefore it is recommended to pretreat stains.

Treating Stains

If you stain your tablecloth, you’ll want to spot-clean the stains as soon as possible. The sooner you treat a stain, the easier it will be to remove. Use stain remover, liquid laundry detergent, or even a degreasing dish soap such as Dawn on the stained area. Scrub the stain and then wash and rinse the area. For old stains and grease stains, add two tablespoons of baking soda in addition to your laundry detergent into the wash. Baking soda is effective in cleaning settled stains.

Another tried and true method, especially for dried grease stains, is WD-40. Put a rag under the stained area of the tablecloth to protect the surface of the area you are working in. Saturate the stain with WD-40 and allow it to sit for 30 minutes before washing. For more information on removing tablecloth stains, see our Tips and Tricks to Remove Tablecloth Stains.

Washing and Drying

You can use any laundry detergent to wash your tablecloths unless the fabric has a care tag with other instructions. Do not use bleach unless your tablecloths and napkins are completely white.

To help protect your tablecloth and napkins, add fabric softener to the final rinse cycle. This provides a protective coating to the fiber that will help prevent spills from penetrating into the fibers as quickly.

If the cloth has food stains, when the wash cycle is complete, check to see that the stains are washed out. If they remain, do not place the linens in the dryer. The heat of the dryer will make the stain even more difficult to remove. Instead, treat and wash again before drying. Tumble dry on low heat and the permanent press setting, as this cool-down feature helps reduce wrinkles.

It’s also important that you remove the tablecloths from the dryer promptly. Drying temperatures in excess of 180°F can shock the fabric and create permanent wrinkles. We have found that removing the tablecloth from the dyer when still slightly damp and placing it back on the table overnight helps any wrinkles to fall out. Then the following morning, you simply fold and store.

Ironing

If ironing, iron on low setting. Iron in a backward, forward motion with the weave of the fabric. Never iron in a circular motion. Use a pressing cloth to protect the fabric.

Storing

To avoid mildew, make sure your table linens are completely dry before storing. Store in a cool, dry ventilated area. Rolling or hanging on a rod, rack, or dowels or will prevent wrinkles and creases.

Keep Your Polyester Tablecloths Fresh and Vibrant

By following these steps for how to wash polyester tablecloths, you can effectively wash your tablecloths, maintaining their beauty and ensuring they last for many gatherings to come. Always refer to specific care instructions and exercise caution to preserve the quality of your table linens. With the above proper care, your polyester and poly premier tablecloths will look beautiful for many years!