Just like a bed sheet must always be cared for, so does a tablecloth. The answer to the question “How to take care of your linen tablecloth?” is easy, but only when you know what you’re doing.
What’s amazing is that it's quick to learn about all of this and you’re going to learn it right now.
Your home is a representation of you. When your family, friend or even a special someone walks into your home, they’re seeing who you are. So let’s make sure you present the best side of yourself.
Why you need to wash it
The average person looks at a tablecloth and says its just “fabric on the table”.
Those people will always miss the point.
Remember, your home represents you. So show the best side of you at every opportunity.
But it’s hard to do that when the home doesn’t look the way you want it to.
Whenever guests are coming over, one thing you always do is clean your home.
At every gathering, you will almost always serve some meal at the table. That means the guest spends a large part of the visit at the table, so it’s important that area (especially the tablecloth) look good.
Choosing and taking care of the right tablecloth will help you with this. It’s especially important to know how to take care of linen tablecloth.
It’s made from the flax plant which provides strong fibers. Since it’s made from natural material, it looks better than other fabrics.
Being able to know how to take care of it also ensures it stays soft and doesn’t become stiff (many other fabrics do this too). Taking proper care of your tablecloth also ensures the color does not weaken, or the size does not shrink.
Taking care of your tablecloth also means stains are taken care of. If a stain is not addressed quickly, the stain could be permanent.
Chrysanthemum Double Damask Tablecloths
How Often Should I Wash My Tablecloth?
How often you decide to wash your table linen depends on how often you use them.
If you use your table linens for special occasions (holiday dinner, or another celebration), you can wash them once every couple of months while also constantly watching out for any crumbs or stains and cleaning them.
If you use your linen regularly, then we recommend washing them once a month.
We want to ensure our linen gives you the clean polished home look you likely are going for. Washing your linens once a month will help you do that.
The Right Way to Taking Care of Your Linen
Wash It Separately
Because linen is different compared to other fabrics (i.e. weaving, finish), it needs to be washed a certain way to maintain its quality.
When washing authentic linen like Ferguson Irish linen, its natural for the linen to shed a bit in the wash.
Many fabrics do that, but the problem is when linen is washed together with synthetic fabrics
While shedding, the linen opens up which means the synthetic fibers will get caught onto the linen. This causes pilling or rough patches not only on linen, but the other material too.
Linen also absorbs water more effectively. This can be an issue when it’s washed with other items such as towels.
If it’s washed with other fabrics that have a different reaction to water (polyester which barely absorbs water, synthetics which repels it, or heavy items which might absorb too much water early), the washing load becomes uneven and linen won’t absorb the water naturally.
This leads to shrinkage, stretching, agitated fabric which ruin the smoothness
Washing the table linen separately also avoids it from being mixed with items with zippers, or hooks which could damage the linen and leave marks on it.
Washing
Temperature of Water
You want to make sure you always wash your linen with lukewarm or cold water. Since linen is made from flax fibers, lukewarm or cold water keeps the fibers strong.
Do not wash your linen with hot water. It damages the fibers and makes it lose its quality quickly.
Detergent
When using detergent, only use a mild detergent.
Luxury products like linen tablecloth are strong, but you should take care of them like a baby.
With that level of care you’ll have your linen soft like one too. Harsh chemicals may clean other fabrics well, but they only damage the strength of the linen
Make sure you don’t wash your table linen in hot water. It will shrink the linen and damage the fibres
Drying
To cut to the chase, always find a way to air dry it.
If you use a dryer the linen is exposed to a high heat environment.
This can weaken the flax fibers of the linen. Which then makes it brittle.
Heat can also cause the linen to shrink and lose its shape. It might look awkward to have a tablecloth too short for your table all of a sudden.
Heat can also cause too much moisture to be removed from the linen, giving it a scratchy feeling.
Air drying linen allows it to dry at its own pace and lets it dry at a cooler temperature.
But avoid using the sun. If the linen sits out in the sun for too long, it can cause the colour of the linen to fade.
But we get it, sometimes you’re in a rush and you need to make sure your linen is ready to go. If that’s the case, put the heater on a low setting to limit the heat.
Ironing and storing
Linen has a natural wrinkle (natural so there’s no actual creases) which gives it character.
But we also know many linen lovers don’t want that for their table cloth.
But they also want to quiet luxury feel linen brings to the table.
So if you are going to iron it, make sure you do it while it’s still damp.
Put it on a medium-hot setting so the fibers are still maintained.
We also know some people use their tablecloth linen for the big events in their lives, so that means they’re going to be stored somewhere when it isn’t being used.
If this is the case for you, make sure the linen is in a dark cool place so the quality of the fabric is maintained.
What If You Have A Stain On Your Linen?
From what we’ve seen, everyone has their magic way of removing stains.
But if you’re looking for a new trick to use, cold water mixed with vinegar is great for majority of stains. Just make sure to dab the solution onto the stain, not rubbing it.
Frequently Asked Question
Will Linen Shrink After Washing?
Depends who you buy it from.
Our Irish linen tablecloths are crafted to the highest standards and made to minimize shrinkage.
With proper care (cool water, mild detergent, and air drying), you can expect them to retain their shape beautifully.
Remember to avoid high heat to preserve both size and softness.
What Makes Irish Linen Tablecloths Different From Other Fabrics?
Irish linen is a heritage fabric, known for its refined texture, natural sheen, and exceptional durability.
Our linen is woven from flax cultivated in optimal climates and produced using centuries old traditional techniques.
Every wash makes them softer and it only improves with age.
How Thick and Heavy Are Your Table Linens?
Since we’re 170+ years old, it means we’ve had time to perfect our linens.
They’re substantial enough to drape elegantly, but light enough to care for.
They’re not bulky, but they’re also strong. When properly cared for, these tablecloths can last decades.
Can I Use Table Linen For Outdoor Dining?
Absolutely
Linen can help bring the aesthetic of your dining area to life. Just remember to avoid direct sunlight for a long period of time. That can cause the colour of the linen to weaken.
Does the colour fade?
They’ll fade if it’s exposed to things like direct sunlight for a long time or harsh chemicals when being washed.
But if you wash with gentle detergent in cool water and avoid drying in direct sunlight, your linen will be in perfect condition.
How long can table linen last with regular use?
Many of Ferguson customers have their tablecloths for 20–30 years or more.
It’s also common for our linens to be handed down as family heirlooms. Being in this line of work allows to share the quiet but bold luxury look people love.
