There are many advantages to using fabric tablecloths and cloth napkins, but a challenge can be stains and how to remove them. When you realize regular table linen washing won’t be enough, you needn’t get rid of those table linens because you have plenty of options.

Stain-Resistant Table Linens

If you want to use cloth napkins, tablecloths, and other table linens, the simplest way to keep them looking fresh is to buy products that are manufactured to be stain-resistant. There are many options for all styles of table linens on iQLinens.com, where you can find stain-resistant fabric tablecloths, cloth napkins, and other table linens in beautiful colors and prints.

How To Remove Stains from Table Linens

Acknowledging that there are many fabrics out of which table linens may be manufactured, these tips should only be applied after checking the care tag. If no care instructions are available, test on a small area to establish color-fastness before applying to a larger area. One rule that pertains to all stains: do not apply heat to dry your stained table linen until the stain is gone. The heat can make it permanent.

Here are tips for treating five of the most frequent stains found on fabric tablecloths and cloth napkins:

1. Water Stains

You might think water wouldn’t leave a stain behind, since it’s generally water that we use to clean, but it can. Sometimes fabric tablecloths or napkins will spot if splashed with water or if a cold drink leaves behind a ring, and the cloth is allowed to dry. If machine-washable, a thorough washing should rid you of any spots or rings. However, if that isn’t an option, vinegar and some washcloths can be used to attack a water stain. As mentioned above, test an inside seam with the vinegar to establish its color-fastness.

Once you know it is safe to use vinegar, start the process. Get a washcloth thoroughly wet, then wring it out to remove most of the moisture. Using the damp cloth, moisten the area with the water spot. Take another washcloth and dampen part of it with white distilled vinegar. Use this to rub the water spot or ring. Then use the water-dampened cloth to remove the vinegar. Once dry, the water spot should be gone. If not, you can repeat the process.

2. Coffee Stains on a Tablecloth

Another stain often left behind when using a tablecloth is from coffee. To remove a coffee stain from cotton or synthetic fabric is pretty simple. The following method works on most fabric.

The removal of coffee stains from a tablecloth starts with soaking it in a combination of dishwashing liquid, white vinegar, and warm water: mix a half teaspoon of dishwashing liquid and one tablespoon of white vinegar into one quart of warm water. Soak it for 15 minutes.

Once this is done, rinse the stained area thoroughly with warm water, then blot any remaining stain with rubbing alcohol, using a clean sponge. Rinse the stain again with warm water and allow it to dry. After it is dry, wash the tablecloth or napkin as directed.

Of course, a simpler way to remove stains from machine-washable table linens is to apply a commercial stain remover before laundering as directed.

3. Removal of a Red Wine Stain

One of the stains any dinner host (or guest) dreads is from spilled red wine. It sometimes leads to a lot of stress and worry because it seems like an impossible stain to remove. You’ll be happy to know that there is no reason to worry because that is not the case. If you follow some simple steps, the red wine stain will be gone in no time.

What you’ll need to get this done: a clean, white cloth; club soda; table salt; a large bowl; container for boiling water.

First, dab (never rub) the stain with your damp cloth in order to absorb any excess wine. Be careful not to spread the stain! It might help to start from the outside of the stain and work your way to its center.

Next, soak the stain with club soda and repeat the dabbing process with a clean part of your cloth. Repeated applications of this step might remove the stain completely. However, if the stain is stubborn, you have options.

To remove red wine stains that resist club soda, you’ll need the bowl and some boiling water (a teakettle works best, if you have one). You should center the bowl directly under the stained portion of the tablecloth and pull it tight, maybe even securing the cloth over the bowl with clamps or a rubber band. Slowly pour boiling water from the teakettle over the stain. You should hold the teakettle about a foot above the stain and work your way from the outside to the center, once again.

After these steps remove the stain, launder your table linens according to printed directions.

4. Removing Oil or Grease Stains

Another frequent stain on table linens comes from olive oil or grease being dropped on a tablecloth or wiped by a cloth napkin. Washing with water isn’t going to touch these stains, but don’t despair because you have options.

Using a powdered substance, such as cornstarch or baking soda, will start to remove the stain. Apply the powder generously to the stained cloth and let it set for an hour. In this time, the powder should absorb much of the stain from the fabric. Once you brush the powder from your cloth, you should soak it for another hour in a solution of grease-fighting dishwashing liquid and hot water. Once the hour is up, rinse and dry.

5. Lipstick on a Cloth Napkin

Removing a lipstick stain from a cloth napkin is surprisingly simple. Spread the stained portion of your napkin on top of a couple layers of paper towels. Soak another paper towel in rubbing alcohol, and then dab it over the stain until it disappears. If you look under your napkin, you’ll see the lipstick transfer to the towel below.