BIFL request for Tablecloths: are there good options with kids?

Submitted by lraabe t3_100b0ne in BuyItForLife

When you have kids in the house, some things aren’t even worth attempting. I’m hoping a tablecloth isn’t one of these.

However, the only way I could see one not getting stained to heck is to get like, the black kind that go on 8ft display tables at markets and fairs.

Any product recommendations beyond some kind of plastic on top?

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Junior_Ad2955 t1_j2gp2tv wrote

Mountain Weavers on the Vermont Country Store. They shrink a lot if washed in hot water or machine dried, but they will last forever. We love the tablecloth and placemats our grandmother got us

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penlowe t1_j2iciki wrote

Most tablecloths you get at Target or Walmart are the worst polyester blends that will indeed stain terribly. Using higher end densely woven polyester like restaurants use is one way to go, the other is all natural fiber like cotton or linen. I have my grandparents linen table cloths & napkins. They used them every day for 50 years, no stains, because it was easy to treat. They are so soft, I've been tempted to make a dress from the tablecloth as it's a size that does not fit my table.

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shiddyfiddy t1_j2gpyzx wrote

I don't know if there's a specific BIL answer for this one...

I like my vintage cotton table cloths, so I made a specific effort to learn how to successfully remove various stains. So that's an option. Rug cleaner gets wine stains out, among other things, and pet stain remover (enzyme cleaner) gets everything else out. There's a number of olde timey options too, but I'm lazy.

Restaurants use polyester table cloths, and it's pretty easy to wash stains out of those. They buy them in bulk and bleach the crap out of them too.

I also can't help myself on the plastic table cloth issue - there is a high end category that isn't the worst ever. I remember growing up, my mom splurged on some fancy lacy thing that was totally plastic, and I swear to god it look decent (and lace was in at the time).

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Sunshinehaiku t1_j2hmn43 wrote

An oilcloth tablecloth. It's better than the PVC ones.

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rgypsy t1_j2gw8ed wrote

Probably not bifl, unless you want to try Irish linens in a dark color. Outdoor fabrics treated with stain and soil repellent will work though. If you have a square or rectangular table, just buy some fabric and finish the edges off. Something with a pretty pattern will hide more mishaps that don't wash out. You could buy placemats for meal time and put them away. Kids are messy little things, that's why they are made so cute.

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Accomplished-Will359 t1_j2klxo6 wrote

The French make coated cotton tablecloths that I adore. You just wipe them down! Not the cheapest option but they’re beautiful and can stand up to family use.

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lraabe OP t1_j2lce3n wrote

When I googled it I saw links for oilcloth cotton products. Is that was you mean?

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regaphysics t1_j2ipsdl wrote

Silicone. Sorry but it’s the truth.

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