Most tablecloths are typically made of plastic, cotton, rayon, poly blends. However, plastic tablecloths can be prone to creasing and wrinkles, especially if they are new or recently washed. So what's the best way to get creases out of plastic tablecloths without damaging them? We've researched a few ways to do this, and in this post, we will go over them.
Here are the steps to get creases out of a plastic table cloth:
- Lay the tablecloth on a flat surface
- Place a towel or ironing mat on top of the table cloth
- Run the hairdryer over the tablecloth
- Place the tablecloth in the dryer
- Place the tablecloth on a flat surface
Getting the creases out of your plastic tablecloth is actually simpler than you may think. The most important thing to remember is that plastic is prone to melting from excessive heat, so you'll want to ensure that you protect the tablecloth if you plan to use any heat on it.
Steps to Get Creases Out Of Plastic Tablecloth
Things you'll need:
- Iron & ironing mat
- Hairdryer
- 2 large bath towels
- 1 large pillowcase
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1. Lay the tablecloth on a flat surface
Start by setting the tablecloth on a flat surface such as an ironing board, counter, or work table.
Check out this ironing board on Amazon.
2. Place an ironing mat beneath the tablecloth
Next, take an ironing mat and place it beneath the length of the tablecloth on top of the ironing board. Then take a large pillowcase and set it on top of the tablecloth. The bed pillow should cover all of the portions that you wish to apply heat, as it protects the tablecloth from the heat so that it won't melt. You may need to move the pillowcase around when you proceed with the hairdryer.
Learn more about this ironing mat on Amazon.
3. Run the hairdryer over the tablecloth
Next, take your hairdryer, and while holding it 8 inches above the tablecloth, run it back and forth over the length of the cloth and use your hands to smooth out any creases and wrinkles. Be sure to move the hairdryer constantly to avoid overheating the tablecloth.
4. Place the tablecloth in the dryer
If there are still creases after you do this for a few minutes, consider wetting the two bath clothes with water. Keep in mind that you'll only need to wet them to be just slightly damp, so they shouldn't be dripping with water.
Next, place the tablecloth in the dryer and the two towels and set it on a low heat setting. Next, set a timer so that the tablecloth is only in the dryer for one minute, and then remove it.
Check out this bath towel set on Amazon.
5. Place the tablecloth on a flat surface
After one minute, remove the tablecloth and lay it on a flat surface such as a folding table or counter. Then run your hands over the length of the tablecloth to firmly pressed out any wrinkles while the tablecloth is still warm and flexible. You can repeat this process two or three times until the tablecloth is wrinkle-free.
Can you use a steamer on a plastic tablecloth?
Generally, a steamer may be potentially damaging to a plastic tablecloth, so it should be used cautiously. However, it can be used when the proper technique is applied so that the plastic tablecloth isn't directly exposed to the cleaner steamer.
Learn more about the steamer on Amazon.
How to straighten plastic table cloth
There are a few different ways that you can straighten a plastic tablecloth to remove any creases and wrinkles from it. Let's look at the most popular methods.
Use a clothesline
If you are in a pinch need to get rid of those large creases and wrinkles in your table cloth, a clothesline can be your best friend. It's best to use this method on a sunny day where the temperature is above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat from the sun will warm the plastic allowing it to become flexible, and gravity will naturally straighten out as it hangs on the clothesline.
Keep in mind that this method can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 6 hours, depending on how wrinkled the tablecloth is. So it's best to use this method a day or two before you plan to use the tablecloth.
Find this clothesline on Amazon.
Use a hairdryer
You can also use a hairdryer to remove any creases and wrinkles from your plastic tablecloth quickly. For this method, you'll need to place the tablecloth on an ironing mat. Next, hold the hairdryer over the tablecloth at least 8 inches to warm it up while using your other hand to press out any wrinkles in the cloth.
Check out this hair dryer on Amazon.
Use an iron
You can also use an iron to get rid of the wrinkles and the tablecloth. For this method, place the tablecloth on a flat surface that can hold heat. Then, take a large bath towel and place it on top of the table cloth. Set your iron to a low setting and run it over the towel, making sure that it doesn't touch the tablecloth directly, as it will cause it to melt.
You may need to adjust the towel on the ironing board, as it will not be long enough for the towel. If you choose to use steam with this method, be sure to do so sparingly, as not to melt the tablecloth.
Use a steamer
If you have a fabric steamer at home, you can also use this to straighten out a PVC tablecloth. Keep in mind that this method needs to be used with extreme caution. Be sure to hold the steamer several inches away from the tablecloth and to use a buffer such as a bed sheet or a bath towel so that the tablecloth does not overheat and melt.
Can you iron a PVC tablecloth?
You can iron a PVC tablecloth as long as the tablecloth is covered with a piece of fabric or a bath tile. Otherwise, the PVC will melt under the iron, and you'll find yourself scraping plastic from the metal bottom of the iron. You'll also want to ensure that you are careful with using steam when ironing the tablecloth, as this can melt the tablecloth, even when it's covered with a thick bath towel. So try to keep it to a minimum if you do use it.
How to get wrinkles out of a tablecloth without an iron
The quickest and easiest way to remove wrinkles from a tablecloth is to iron it. If the tablecloth is made from fabric, be sure to place the iron on the recommended setting for the material. If the tablecloth is made of plastic or vinyl, you'll want to cover the tablecloth with fabric and place the iron on a low setting to avoid melting the plastic.
You can also toss the plastic tablecloth in the dryer with a damp towel, hang it on a clothesline on a sunny warm day, or use a steamer to remove any wrinkles. It's also best to iron any plastic tablecloths on the reverse side or underside to help reduce the chance that the tablecloth melting under the heat.
Wrapping Things Up
As you can see, there are a few different ways that you remove wrinkles from a plastic tablecloth. Most of the methods will include some form of heat. It's best to ensure that you use safety when applying any heat to the tablecloth to avoid melting the plastic. This usually means covering the cloth with a buffer to ensure that it doesn't directly contact the heat source.
Before you go, be sure to check out our other posts:
What Color Tablecloth With Burlap Runner?
How Far Should A Tablecloth Hang? [Should It Touch The Floor?]
