How to Remove Creases in a Plastic Table Cloth

Plastic tablecloths are an inexpensive decorating option for parties or outdoor tables. But when the plastic tablecloth is removed from the package, it will have unsightly creases and wrinkles as a result of the time spent folded inside the package. Creases and wrinkles also occur when a reusable fabric-backed plastic tablecloth is washed or folded for a long period of time. With a fabric tablecloth, you would simply use an iron to remove the wrinkles and creases, but this would melt a plastic tablecloth. Fortunately there are several easy methods for removing wrinkles and creases from a plastic tablecloth.

Things You'll Need

• Iron
• Large bath towel
• Ironing board
• Clothes dryer
• Hair dryer
• Second person

Instructions

Removing Creases from a Fabric-Backed Plastic Tablecloth

1. Check the back of the plastic tablecloth to verify that the back is covered with fabric.

2. Place the tablecloth in the clothes dryer with two large towels (dampened), and run it on medium heat for approximately 10 minutes to remove a majority of the wrinkles and creases.

3. Place the plastic tablecloth on an ironing board with the fabric-covered side facing the ceiling.

4. Spray the tablecloth's fabric backing with water using a spray bottle on a "mist" setting.

5. Place a large bath towel (dry) or beach towel over the portion of tablecloth that's lying on the ironing board surface.

6. Plug in the iron, and turn the dial to the low-heat, no-steam setting for delicate fabrics.

7. Wait for approximately five minutes to allow the iron to heat. It must remain in an upright position while heating.

8. Run the iron over the towel (with the tablecloth underneath) using a circular motion to remove the remaining wrinkles.

9. Remove the towel, and slide the tablecloth over the ironing board so you can iron a different area.

10. Place the towel over the portion of tablecloth that's positioned on the ironing board, and repeat steps 4, 5, 8 and 9 until you've removed wrinkles and creases from the entire tablecloth.

Removing Creases from an All-Plastic Tablecloth

1. Place the plastic tablecloth inside a clothes dryer with two large towels (damp), and run the dryer on a low heat setting for approximately 5 to 10 minutes.

2. Remove the plastic tablecloth from the dryer, place it on the table and look for any remaining creases.

3. Ask a second person to hold the tablecloth taught with their hands positioned on either side of the remaining crease.

4. Apply hot air to the tablecloth crease using the hot setting on a blow dryer until the remaining crease disappears.

5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for all remaining tablecloth creases.

Tips & Warnings

• If using a thick bath towel, some of the deeper wrinkles or creases still remain after ironing a fabric-backed tablecloth. You'll need to adjust the heat setting to a slightly hotter setting.

References

• Using a Hair Dryer to Remove Wrinkles From Plastic Tablecloths
• Using a Dryer to Remove Wrinkles From Plastic Tablecloths