How to Whiten a Linen Tablecloth

Linen is one of the oldest and most durable textiles, and tablecloths made from this material are often used on special holidays and occasions. With age and regular use, a linen tablecloth may begin to slightly yellow or stain. If cleaning instructions aren't available for your tablecloth, here's a few tricks for whitening linen.

Things You'll Need

• Sink or bathtub
• Soap
• Lingerie or washing bag
• Non-chlorine bleach
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Clothesline

Instructions

Handwashing

1. Add warm water to a sink or bathtub. Use a small amount of soap such as Ivory, Woolite or Orvus Quilt Soap. Submerge the tablecloth into the water and allow to soak for several minutes.

2. Scrub any stains using a soft clean rag or sponge. Apply light pressure; do not rub harshly.

3. Rinse the tablecloth well because soap residue will cause dullness and possible discoloration.

Machine Washing

1. Remove mildew or other heavier stains by soaking the tablecloth in hydrogen peroxide and water. Use pharmaceutical-grade hydrogen peroxide, which contains 3.5 percent of peroxide and can be easily found at grocery and drug stores. Add about ½ cup of hydrogen peroxide to a sink or bathtub filled with lukewarm water. Allow the linen to soak for several hours.

2. Wash the tablecloth in a washing machine set on the delicate cycle if hand washing is not an option. Any laundry detergent can be used, but place the tablecloth in a lingerie or washing bag if it has embroidery or fringes.

3. Line dry linen tablecloths because the sun will continue to brighten the white fabric. Bring the linen inside before it is completely dry because allowing linen to dry fully in the sun can make the material feel stiff. Avoid mildew and mold on the linen by allowing the tablecloth to air dry completely inside before storing it.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean stains quickly and avoid allowing them to sit for several days because the stain will be more difficult to remove.

• Always use soft water when cleaning linen. Hard water can leave residue on the white linen that will leave it looking dull. Only use non-chlorine bleach; chlorinated bleaches will cause white linen to turn yellow.

• Store lines in cloth bags or rolled up. Never store them in plastic bags or cedar chests.

• When cleaning linen, always test a small portion of the textile first before cleaning the entire cloth.

References

• Silk Road Textile Merchants
• Educate Yourself: Strength of Hydrogen Peroxide