Cleaning a tablecloth (plastic, coated, oilcloth, bulgomme, white, transparent, etc.) requires the right techniques depending on the fabric and stains. Discover here tips, temperatures, and washing advice for all types of tablecloths.
Cleaning a plastic or transparent tablecloth
To clean a plastic or transparent tablecloth without leaving marks, use a soft sponge, lukewarm water, and a little Marseille soap or dish soap. Avoid abrasive sponges. For stubborn marks or grease stains, a mixture of white vinegar and water can be used, then dry with a microfiber cloth.
Tip: For a bulgomme tablecloth, use the same method, but dry thoroughly after cleaning.
Quick FAQ
- How to clean a transparent tablecloth without streaks? Use a soft cloth, lukewarm water + white vinegar, and immediate drying.
- Can you machine wash a plastic tablecloth? Check the label: most should be hand-washed to avoid deformation.
Cleaning a coated tablecloth, coated fabric, or oilcloth
Coated tablecloths and oilcloths (Maison du Monde, Jean Vier, Garnier Thiebaut, Jacquard français, etc.) are very practical: they are stain-resistant but require specific care.
- Daily cleaning: a damp sponge wipe is sufficient.
- For a stubborn stain: Marseille soap, rinse with clear water.
- Sticky tablecloth: wipe with a cloth soaked in diluted white vinegar to remove the sticky feeling.
- Machine washing: check the label; most can withstand a gentle cycle at 30°C, without strong spinning or tumble drying.
- How to clean a sticky coated tablecloth? Diluted white vinegar + rinse.
- Washing temperature for a coated tablecloth? 30°C maximum, gentle spin.
- Jacquard coated tablecloth care
- Yellowed white tablecloth: how to whiten your laundry?
Cleaning a stained or yellowed white tablecloth
To clean a stained or yellowed white tablecloth, soak the tablecloth in hot water with baking soda or use an oxygenated stain remover before washing. Find more tips on our dedicated page: Whitening laundry: natural tips and effective products.
Cleaning a coated fabric or oilcloth tablecloth
Cleaning a coated fabric tablecloth: use a soft sponge, never an abrasive. For machine washing, choose a delicate cycle, no strong spin, and dry flat. For oilcloth: same, but avoid prolonged exposure to the sun which can deform or dull the tablecloth.
Tip: To remove stains, prefer Marseille soap or white vinegar, then dry with a clean cloth.
Summary table: How to clean each type of tablecloth?
| Tablecloth type | Daily cleaning | Stubborn stain | Machine wash | Drying |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic/transparent tablecloth | Soft sponge + soap | White vinegar | Often not recommended | Microfiber cloth, flat |
| Coated tablecloth | Damp sponge | Marseille soap, white vinegar | Yes, gentle cycle 30°C | Flat, no tumble dryer |
| Oilcloth | Damp sponge | Baking soda, white vinegar | Often not recommended | Wipe, dry flat |
| White tablecloth (woven) | Wash 40-60°C | Baking soda, oxygenated stain remover | Yes | Tumble dryer possible |
| Bulgomme | Soft sponge | Soapy water | No | Immediate drying |
Daily care tips
- Clean stains quickly to prevent them from setting.
- Avoid harsh products and abrasive sponges on coated, plastic, and oilcloth tablecloths.
- Respect the meaning of the care symbols on your tablecloth's label.
Useful links for household linen care
- How to whiten yellowed or gray laundry
- Understanding laundry label symbols
- Homemade laundry detergent recipe with Marseille soap
- Removing musty odors from laundry
- See all our household linen care tips
Summary of best practices
- Adapt cleaning to the material of your tablecloth (plastic, coated, oilcloth, bulgomme, white fabric, etc.).
- For high-end tablecloths (Jacquard, Garnier Thiebaut, Jean Vier), strictly follow the care instructions.
- Use gentle solutions, avoid chlorine, prefer white vinegar, baking soda, or Marseille soap.
- Consult our tips for whitening laundry in case of a yellowed or stained white tablecloth.
Need other tips? Discover all our household linen tips!