How to Get Out Wrinkles in a Vinyl Tablecloth

As convenient and wonderful as vinyl tablecloths are, the likelihood that wrinkles or folds need to be removed from it is inevitable. There are several successful methods to remove wrinkles from vinyl tablecloths, and any one of them, or a combination, should have your vinyl tablecloth looking smooth again in no time.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Steam iron
• Towels
• Hair dryer
• Tablecloth weights -- used for keeping the tablecloth from being blown around when used outside
• Clothes dryer

1. Hang the tablecloth outside, preferably on a clothesline, in the sun on a hot day. Stretch it out taut, then attach the tablecloth weights, normally used to weigh down the ends of a tablecloth on an outside picnic table, to the bottom edges of the vinyl tablecloth. When the sun has warmed the tablecloth, gently smooth out the wrinkles.
   
   An alternative but similar method is to drape the tablecloth over the shower rod in a bathroom. Run hot, steaming water in the tub. Using the tablecloth weights and periodically smooth out the wrinkles by hand.

2. Use a hair dryer, set on the hottest temperature, and blow hot air over the wrinkled vinyl, carefully pulling the wrinkles out. Do not hold the dryer too close to the vinyl -- no closer than five or six inches. Any closer and the vinyl may begin to stretch, which could result in additional, permanent wrinkles.

3. Wet and wring out two towels or three washcloths so they are damp and place them in the clothes dryer with the tablecloth on the lowest setting for no more than five minutes at a time. While it is still warm, remove the tablecloth and smooth out the wrinkles. If there are still have wrinkles remaining, put the tablecloth back in the dryer, with re-dampened towels, for only a few more minutes, making sure that the tablecloth doesn't get too hot.

4. Place a towel under and on top of the wrinkled area of the tablecloth. Using a steam iron, carefully iron the towel over the wrinkled area. Be sure to keep the iron constantly in motion. This method is one that great caution must be taken so as to not burn or melt the vinyl tablecloth while attempting to iron out the wrinkles.
   
   An alternative to this method -- but, again, caution must be taken not to burn yourself -- is to hold the steam iron several inches above the wrinkled vinyl and "shoot it" with steam. Then, when the vinyl has cooled enough to touch, smooth out the wrinkles.

Tips & Warnings

• Any one, or a combination of two or more, of the methods listed should rid the vinyl tablecloth of folds and wrinkles. Since most wrinkles occur when the vinyl tablecloth is folded for storage, to prevent future wrinkles, it is suggested that it be stored rolled, not folded.
• Vinyl can get hot to the touch fairly quickly, so be careful not to burn your fingers or hands when smoothing out the wrinkles.