How to Wash a White Table Cloth
The clean, classic look of a crisp white tablecloth makes it a popular go-to accessory for a setting beautiful dining table. The aftermath left by an evening of eating, drinking and being merry is not quite so pretty. If you care for and wash a white tablecloth properly, you can continue to use your table linen for special occasions for years to come. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Clean, white rag
- Stain remover product
- Washing machine
- Water
- Bleach or laundry booster
- Detergent
- Clothes dryer or clothesline
- Iron
- Ironing board
Instructions
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1
Check the tag on the tablecloth for cleaning instructions, which will tell you what temperature water to use and if the fabric can be safely bleached.
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2
Examine the tablecloth for any stains. Blot up as much of the stain as you can with a clean, white rag and rinse. Pretreat the stain with a stain remover.
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3
Fill the washing machine halfway with water in the appropriate temperature. (Hot is preferable if the fabric can take it.) Add bleach or laundry booster as recommended for your size load to the machine as it continues filling with water.
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4
Set the washer to the presoak cycle and add the tablecloth. Allow it to soak for about 20 minutes.
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5
Add laundry detergent appropriate for your size load and allow the machine to run through its cycle.
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6
Remove the tablecloth from the washing machine and examine for stains. If you find any, follow the previous steps again.
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7
Dry the tablecloth in the dryer on the lowest setting or on a clothesline.
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8
Iron the tablecloth on the ironing board, then fold and put away in a dust-free area for your next dinner party.
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Tips & Warnings
If your washing machine does not have a presoak cycle, leave the lid to the washer open. This stops the machine from moving to the agitation cycle.
Wash the tablecloth alone or only with other pure white items to prevent dinginess from color transfer.
Evenly distribute the bleach or laundry booster throughout the water before adding the tablecloth to prevent damage to the fabric.
Do not put the tablecloth in the dryer until all stains are removed. Doing so can cause the stains to become set into the fabric and impossible to get out.
