Removing Stains from Table Linens

When you have beautiful table linens, it is so annoying when an accident occurs and something gets spilled or falls on to the cloth to change the pristine appearance. The appearance of your table linens can be affected by regular use as well as just sitting on a shelf for a long time. It is often helpful to have some strategies at hand to clean up the accidental spill or stain.  Here are some tips and hints that are helpful for solving some care concerns for your table linens.

Whitening table linens that have become yellow?

Cotton table linens can be whitened in your kitchen.  Fill a pot with water and a few slices of fresh lemon. Bring water to a boil, turn off heat, then add the linens and let soak for up to an hour; launder as usual.  If you have the space outdoors in the sunlight allow the linens to dry in the sun and they will have an extra bright appearance.

Removing Red Wine Stains:

Are you afraid of using your fine linens when guests are coming for dinner?  Red wine stains frequently appear on table linens even when everyone is extra careful.  If a red wine stain appears on your table linens wet the stained area with lukewarm water than add a layer of table salt.  Rub and allow the fabric to sit for 5 minutes.  Then pull fabric taut across a heat-proof bowl and secure in place with a rubber band.  Place bowl in sink and carefully pour boiling water on the stain from a height of 3 feet.  The combined pressure of heat and water will eliminate the stain.

If you see wine spilled on to the table cloth, you can quickly blot the spot, pour on white wine and blot the spot again.  You might have to repeat the process a few times, but it should remove most of the color. 

What to do when candle wax falls on a tablecloth:

o   Start by scrapping off the wax on the cloth.   It is easier to scrap off the wax if it is cold, so try placing an ice cube under the cloth and scrapping off the wax.  If the cloth isn’t too large, you can put it in the freezer and the wax is easier to remove.

o   Pour boiling water through the washable fabric from a height of 12 inches (the height increases the velocity of the water, which helps separate the wax from the fibers). If the fabric can't be laundered, sandwich it between paper towels and apply a warm iron. The remaining wax sticks to the paper towel.

o   If the candle wax is colored, there are often spots of dye left on the cloth.  To remove these spots, you will need to use a laundry stain remover.  Spray or spot clean the spots; let them sit overnight before washing the cloth.  It is easier to remove the colored stain from fresh spills, so treat the stain as soon as possible after it occurs.

o   Some candle wax dyes can be challenging to remove from cotton table linens.  If some color remains after trying all the other options, then you can try rubbing detergent paste (mixture of laundry soap and water) into the stained area.  Let it set for awhile prior to washing the cloth.

o   You might have to launder the tablecloth several times to remove all the color.  Do not put a cloth in the dryer until the stain is gone as heat will set the stain.

Chocolate Stains

If the chocolate falls on the table cloth as flakes, take a flat edge knife and scrap off as much as possible.  Treat the stain with a laundry stain remover prior to washing.  Let the cloth sit for a few minutes to allow the stain remover to work, then wash the tablecloth with laundry detergent.

If the chocolate sauce stains your tablecloth, then blot the spot with paper towel, to remove as much chocolate as possible.  Treat the spot with laundry stain remover prior to washing the tablecloth.   Launder using laundry detergent.  

How do you remove greasy stains from Sauces, Dressing and Gravies?

These stains are usually oil based stains and tend to spread into the fabric of the tablecloth.  If the spill occurs during a meal, blot the spot quickly with paper towel to reduce the distance it spreads.  An alternate to paper towel is to use corn starch to soak up the liquid and then scrap it up after the meal. When you are finished using the cloth, spray the spot with a laundry stain remover product to prevent it from setting.  Spray the spot again prior to washing the cloth.  Laundry detergent containing enzymes is the most useful for washing out grease spots. Warmer water wash is more effective than cold water wash when trying to remove grease spots.