How To Get Out Wrinkles In A Vinyl Tablecloth

Things Needed

  • Bath towels, 2

  • Spray bottle

  • Dryer

  • Cloth or sponge

Tip

To care for your vinyl tablecloth, simply wipe it as needed, using a damp dishcloth or sponge and warm water. Using warm water instead of cool helps to ease or smooth out any remaining wrinkles.

Warning

Placing a vinyl tablecloth in the dryer on a mid- or high-heat setting can melt or pucker it, stain the towels, and damage or gum up the dryer. Only use a low-heat dryer setting to get out wrinkles; it doesn't take much heat to smooth the vinyl. As the vinyl warms slightly, it "relaxes," releasing the creases, especially with the steam created by the damp towels.

A new vinyl tablecloth means easy cleaning — and wrinkles from packaging folds. A good-looking, wrinkle-free vinyl tablecloth is more impressive than a cloth with tacky, evenly spaced creases. You may have tried to wash out or wipe away the wrinkles without success. And, obviously, ironing the tablecloth will cause damage — melting the vinyl and gumming up your iron. But you can use another relatively quick, simple laundering method for pleasing results.

Step 1

Dampen a couple of bath towels by spritzing them with clean water, using a water-spray bottle. Toss the towels into the dryer.

Step 2

Remove all the packaging from the vinyl tablecloth, if it's new. Put the tablecloth into the dryer with the towels.

Step 3

Set the dryer to low heat. Tumble dry for 2 minutes.

Step 4

Remove the tablecloth from the dryer. Spread it out over the table or on a clean floor. Smooth the vinyl with a clean, damp cloth. If any wrinkles remain, put it back in the dryer on low heat for another minute or two. Check that the towels are still damp before turning on the dryer. Dampen them again, if they're dry.

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