How to care for your polyester tablecloths and napkins
Author: JPL Date Posted:10 October 2016
Polyester tablecloths are great for being stain repellent, cotton, not so much. All our tablecloths we sell are commercial grade polyester which means they repel the stains better, wash up better, last longer and do not need ironing like cotton does.
Polyester tablecloths are great for being stain repellent, cotton, not so much. All our tablecloths we sell are commercial grade polyester which means they repel the stains better, wash up better, last longer and do not need ironing like cotton does.
Table linen needs to look pristine when used for functions, nobody wants to be looking at a stain from the previous customer when they sit down at a table so the care of your event linen is paramount.
How to treat stains
The longer a stain sits – the harder it is to remove. Any table linen that is stained should have a paste of oxi-action type paste and then soaked in cold water until ready to wash. Warm or hot water will set the stain in and make it harder to remove.
If you wash your linen and it still has a stain you need to rewash or soak it, as once it dries the stain will set into the fabric. The key is to keep it wet!
How to wash polyester tablecloths
• Never wash polyester with cotton as they have completely different properties and requirements
• Load the washing machine with 20-30% less than your usual capacity – this will ensure a good wash and the maximum removal of soiling and also less ironing!
• To cater for a range of different spills (fatty substances respond better to high temperatures and protein stains such as cheeses respond better to lower temperatures) you need to wash in the middle range – about 35- 39 degrees.
• Detergent should be a quality low alakali (about 800 – 1000ppm) detergent
• For heavily soiled table linen do a second wash with a higher wash temperature of 71 degrees and higher alkali detergent (1500-1000ppm).
How to dry and store your table linen
If you can not hang dry use a low to medium heat on the dryer and an anti static spray. Once dry they need to be folded straight away to avoid any unnecessary creases. Most polyester will not require ironing if put away as soon as it is dried but If you do need to iron always do a test patch on the setting a bit lower than the recommended setting. Over heating and ironing can cause polyester tablelcoths and napkins to get that shiny edge to them. Store away from moisture. Never fold your table linen if it is slightly damp as this will cause mildew and also allow creases to form where you have folded them.