A beautiful table doesn’t start with buying something new every season – it starts with taking good care of what you already love. Your favorite tablecloths and placemats can last for years, even with daily use, if you treat them the right way.
Because PNR Decor pieces are designed with durable, eco-conscious cotton blends, many with water-repellent and stain-resistant finishes, a simple care routine is usually enough to keep them fresh and camera-ready.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
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How to protect your table linens during everyday use
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What to do when spills happen (coffee, wine, oil & more)
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The easiest way to wash and dry your tablecloths and placemats
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How to store them so they don’t crease, fade or lose their shape
1. Everyday Habits That Make Your Linens Last Longer
Before we even talk about washing, a few small habits can dramatically extend the life of your linens:
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Use placemats on top of your tablecloth.
Embroidered placemats add a luxury layer and protect the cloth underneath from hot plates, cutlery marks and everyday crumbs. -
Wipe crumbs and dust after every meal.
A soft, dry cloth or a quick shake outdoors prevents food particles from getting ground into the fabric fibers. -
Deal with spills quickly.
Thanks to the water-repellent and stain-resistant finishes on many PNR Decor tablecloths, liquids tend to sit on the surface first – which gives you time to blot instead of scrub. -
Rotate your favorites.
If you love one tablecloth “too much,” it will naturally wear faster. Rotating between two or three designs (for weekdays, weekends, and guests) keeps each piece looking new for longer.
2. What to Do When a Spill Happens
Spills are part of real life – especially with kids, pets, or big family dinners. The key is how you respond in the first few minutes.
For water, juice or soft drinks
- Gently blot the liquid with a clean, absorbent cloth or paper towel.
- If the fabric is water-repellent, you’ll often see droplets “sit” on the surface – just guide them off the edge or absorb them without rubbing.
- If needed, wipe with a slightly damp cloth and mild soap, then pat dry.
For wine, coffee or tea
- Blot – don’t rub – to remove as much liquid as possible.
- Mix a little mild detergent with cool water and dab the area with a clean cloth.
- Rinse that spot with a damp cloth and let it air dry.
- For stubborn marks, treat again before machine washing (never put a stained item straight into a hot dryer – heat can set the stain).
For oily spills (salad dressing, butter, sauces)
- Place a paper towel on top to absorb surface oil.
- Sprinkle a little cornstarch or baking soda on the area and let it sit for a few minutes to draw out more oil.
- Brush off the powder and pre-treat with a small amount of liquid detergent before washing.
Important: Avoid harsh bleach and aggressive stain removers – PNR Decor pieces use quality cotton-canvas blends and special finishes that last longer when treated gently.
3. How to Wash Your Tablecloths
Most PNR Decor tablecloths are made from durable cotton or cotton-poly blends that are designed to be easy-care and machine washable.
General washing rules
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Check the product page first.
Follow any specific instructions mentioned for that design (temperature, cycle, etc.). -
Use a gentle cycle.
Choose a delicate or normal cycle with cold or warm water (30°C / 86°F range) to protect both color and fabric structure. -
Mild detergent only.
A small amount of liquid detergent is enough – avoid products with bleach, optical brighteners or strong enzymes. -
Wash similar colors together.
Keep deep reds, blues and blacks away from whites and creams to avoid color transfer. -
Don’t overload the machine.
Give your tablecloth enough space in the drum so it can move freely and rinse properly. -
For coated, water-repellent tablecloths
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They often don’t need frequent washing – wiping after use and occasionally freshening in the machine is enough.
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Stick to cold water and a gentle cycle.
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Avoid fabric softeners if possible, as they can slowly reduce water repellency over time.
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4. Caring for Embroidered Placemats
Many PNR Decor placemats feature delicate silk-style embroidery on top of a durable base fabric.
To keep the embroidery crisp:
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Place them in a mesh laundry bag before machine washing.
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Use cold water and a gentle cycle.
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Avoid heavy items like jeans or towels in the same load – friction can damage the stitching.
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Lay flat or hang to dry so the edges stay smooth.
Spot cleaning between washes (especially if you’re only using them for light meals or decor) will also extend time between full washes.
5. Drying and Ironing: Smooth, Not Stiff
Drying
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Best option: Hang to dry or lay flat on a clean surface.
This helps reduce deep creases and protects the fabric finish. -
If you use a dryer, choose a low heat, short cycle and remove items while they’re still slightly damp to finish air-drying.
Ironing
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Iron on the reverse side when possible, especially for pieces with printed patterns or embroidery.
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Use medium heat for cotton and cotton blends – test in a small corner first.
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For coated or water-repellent surfaces, keep the iron temperature lower and use a pressing cloth between the iron and the fabric.
A quick steam or light press just before setting your table can make your tablecloth look like it just came out of the box.
6. How to Store Tablecloths and Placemats
Good storage is the last step to keeping everything looking new.
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Fold along natural seams.
Use the existing fold lines from when the piece arrived, or fold in large sections to avoid tiny, sharp creases. -
Store in a cool, dry space.
Avoid direct sunlight (which can fade colors over time) and damp areas that encourage mildew. -
Use cotton bags or tissue paper.
Wrap special or seasonal pieces in breathable cotton bags or between sheets of acid-free tissue to protect embroidery and edges. -
Keep placemats flat.
Stack them in a drawer or on a shelf rather than rolling them; this keeps their shape crisp and table-ready.
If you like to change your decor by season (spring florals, summer stripes, Christmas patterns), label each bundle so you can grab the exact collection you need in seconds.
7. A Simple Care Routine You Can Actually Follow
To make it easy, here’s a simple rhythm many PNR Decor customers use:
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After each meal:
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Shake or brush off crumbs
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Wipe any visible spots with a damp cloth
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Weekly or bi-weekly (for everyday cloths):
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Machine wash on gentle with mild detergent
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Hang dry and lightly iron if needed
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Seasonally:
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Deep wash and carefully store special occasion tablecloths and matching placemats
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Refresh your rotation: swap in a new color or pattern from your collection
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By caring for your linens with a few thoughtful steps, your tablecloths and placemats will stay soft, elegant, and ready for everything from weekday breakfasts to holiday dinners.
CTA:
👉 Ready to build a collection you’ll love caring for?
Explore PNR Decor’s waterproof, stain-resistant tablecloths and luxury embroidered placemats here:
Tablecloths: https://pnrdecor.com/collections/tableclothes
Fabric Placemats: https://pnrdecor.com/collections/fabric-placemats