How to remove stains from the Christmas tablecloth

Christmas tablecloths always end up covered in all types of stains. We tell you how to remove yellow stains, wax or old stains!

Christmas celebrations around a table where family and friends get together are unforgettable. We love to take care of all the details and the tablecloth and cloth napkins are usually the main victims. Don’t worry, we’re going to show you how to remove stains from white tablecloths, coloured ones and any other type of fabric so they look like new and you will have no problems using them for your next celebration.

5 tips for removing stains from tablecloths

At Christmas, there are usually plenty of stains from wine, oil or different sauces on the tablecloth and, sometimes on clothing too. To get rid of this type of stain, we show you some remedies:

• For white tablecloths: never mix them with coloured linen. You can soak it before washing in a mixture of bicarbonate of soda and water. You should always read the label and respect the instructions. 

According to the material: 

• 100% cotton: use cold water, although the stains won’t come out as easily.
• Polyester and cotton: you can use a 40 degree programme.
• Linen: hand washing or dry cleaning is recommended.
• Muslin or delicate fabric: wash with a mixture of 2 l of water, 250 ml of oxygenated water and detergent, leave the item in this mixture and rinse with plenty of water.

According to the type of stain:

• White wine: if the stain is dry, use percarbonate (active oxygen) and very hot water, leave for 30 minutes and wash.
• Red wine: the first thing to do is apply salt straight away so the stain doesn’t spread. Then, soak a sponge with white wine and gently dab the stain, but don’t scrub it. Another option is to use oxygenated water mixed with liquid soap when you remove the table cloth or use bicarbonate of soda and water, make a thick paste and spread it on top, leaving it to activate for a few hours. Then, wash as normal.
• Oil (grease): use kitchen paper to absorb it, but don’t scrub it. Then cover the stain with talcum powder or cornflour as soon as the stain occurs, leave for 24 hours and brush the stain. If the oil has dried, you can use ammonia, then scrub and wash the item.
• Tomato sauce (sauces): don’t allow it to dry. You can use bicarbonate of soda and oxygenated water and leave to activate for 30 minutes. You can also apply white vinegar, oxygenated water or lemon juice directly to it. Then, rinse and wash as normal.
• Don’t overload the washing machine. The tablecloth should be able to move freely inside to wash properly.

How to get rid of yellow stains from tablecloths

Some yellow stains, either from damp or dirt, can be very hard to remove. To prevent them from appearing in the first place, you should store tablecloths and napkins in plastic bags, cardboard boxes or in contact with wood.

• Apply lemon juice to the affected areas and leave to activate for a few hours. Then wash with powder detergent.
• Perborate is also useful for whitening tablecloths: use water, detergent and a spoonful of perborate. Leave to activate for a few hours and rinse. Then, depending on the material of the tablecloth, you can machine wash it.

Tip for storing tablecloths:

Wrap the tablecloth in tissue paper, with 100% cotton fabric or an old pillow case. Don’t use silk paper. Don’t store starched tablecloths with others that haven’t been starched, because it can cause damp stains on those that haven’t been treated.

How to remove wax stains from clothing

• Act as soon as possible so it doesn't have time to stick to the fabrics, but allow it to solidify first.
• Rub it with a plastic bag full of ice and remove the excess wax using a spatula.
• Once the surface wax is removed, place a wet piece of kitchen paper or kraft paper on both sides of the stained fabric. Then, heat the iron to medium temperature and place it on top of the garment so the wax particles evaporate and are absorbed by the paper.
• Finally, wash as normal.

Tips for removing old stains from your Christmas tablecloth

• Use liquid soap: because it’s made with chemicals that help to lift the grease, which is excellent for starting to remove stains. Place a little on each stain and use a toothbrush to scrub the stain, trying to remove it. You will notice it forms a foam, but don’t add more water, just scrub each stain for a few minutes.
• Add white vinegar: to help the stain to loosen from the fabric. Add a few spoonfuls, leave to rest for 5 minutes and keep scrubbing. Then, machine wash.
• With more stubborn stains, ammonia: soak the tablecloth in cold water with a few drops of ammonia. Wear gloves and scrub each stain with a brush. Leave to rest and rinse.
• Degreaser: with a kitchen degreaser and taking care (wearing gloves), scrub the stains again with the brush. Afterwards, place in the washing machine with clothes detergent and voilà, your tablecloth will look like new.