How to Iron a Tablecloth in a Right Way

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Ironing your tablecloth creates a cleaner, crisper look than just throwing it in the dryer.

When ironing a tablecloth, you often stretch or crease the fabric. However, once you know the right way to iron a tablecloth, you can avoid making these mistakes. Before beginning, make sure your tablecloth is evenly damp by washing it and then laying it on a rack for a short period of time. You can also either wash the tablecloth with starch or use spray starch afterward for a crisp look.

Things You'll Need

Iron

Bump cloth

Terrycloth towel

2 cotton sheets

Tablecloth

Instructions

1. Plug in the iron and fill it with water.

2. Spread a bump cloth, which "Washingtonian Magazine" defines as "a flannel with a waffle surface that is as thick as a light blanket," on a table or other large surface and then place a cotton sheet and terrycloth towel on top of that.

3. Place another cotton sheet on the floor around the bottom of the table so that the tablecloth does not touch the ground, and then spread the tablecloth on top of the terrycloth towel.

4. Iron the entire tablecloth, using a back and forth motion and going with the weave of the textile. To do this, look at the direction that the threads go and follow them with your iron instead of moving haphazardly. If you iron with circular movements, you risk stretching the tablecloth.

5. Once you have finished ironing, unplug the iron and put away all the cotton sheets, towels and bump cloths. Lay the tablecloth on the table, gently smoothing it so it lays flat on the surface of the table.

Tips & Warnings

If you have an embroidered tablecloth, make sure that you iron it with the embroidered side facing down on the towel. This will make the embroidery stand out.

After ironing tablecloths, you can store them by folding them neatly and hanging them on hangers or by rolling them in an acid-free cardboard tube to prevent damage.

When using an ironing board, have your bump cloth, cotton sheet, and terrycloth towel in place to protect the surface you are ironing.

Be careful not to mark or burn the tablecloth by leaving the iron on it for too long.

by Xiao Xiao @ InteractChina.com

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