Tablemats that can withstand being used

[Blerg]

Dull, I know but where can I get table mats that can stand having something hot or wet on them without being ruined very quickly? The normal laminate / cork things you get everywhere are just rubbish and quickly look awful.

I'm sure they didn't used to be so badly made?

[Nan0second]

Slate ones?

[RatOnnaStick]

I just use fabric ones and bung them in the washing machine. Much easier.

[MrsHathaway]

Our glass ones have done really well. Wedding present in 2004. Waterproof (obvs) and heatproof enough for plates although I haven't tried them with a casserole or similar. Dishwasher frequently. None has ever smashed so we have a full set.

Fuckers don't sell them nowadays. You couldn't move in JL in 2004 for glass placemats.

[FoggyMorn]

We ended up replacing ours with glass chargers instead (basically a bigger plate!) ours look like cut crystal, but are fine to go in the dishwasher when they need a wash. Not cheap but they last pretty much forever. You can get ceramic ones, and metal, but steer clear of the plastic "Christmas charger plates' as they flake and peel after a while.

[FoggyMorn]

Mrshathaway, still available online (some German manufacturer I've forgotten the name of), got ours about 4 years ago :)

[Blerg]

Thanks all - sorry I should have said will be frequently used by small children so need to be shatterproof. Otherwise glass or slate sound very stylish - maybe one day!

Fabric might work.

But really, nowhere makes sturdy mats?

[WhoKnowsWhereTheT1meG0es]

We've got bamboo ones from Sainsburys, they wipe clean and don't mark, very pleased with them.

[dun1urkin]

Another vote for slate. Ours are 13 years old. Just need wiping if anything gets spilt on them. Use them under cast iron cookware straight out of the oven without a second thought.

[dun1urkin]

missed the update re glass and slate...

[MrsHathaway]

Our glass ones have been swept from the table by Hellbeast DC3 on many occasions. I wouldn't risk slate, agreed.

Glad they're still available. Weird that they are no longer ubiquitous given how practical they genuinely are.

[RatOnnaStick]

Tbh with my little ones I gave up using mats, figured it was making two jobs as I was cleaning the surrounding table area anyway so now I just scrub the table.

[EmeliaHerveyHenryFitzroy]

I got the Sainsbury's bamboo ones - first bit of condensation from a hot plate and it got water stained. They have stained up quickly here but maybe we are too hard on them. The idea is a good one though.

[Stegfi]

Try Denby. I got some from the range they did for Monsoon in Debenhams.
They have so far survived everything the children have (literally) thrown at them and being wiped a couple of times a day.
Prior to this I bought some from Sainsburys and returned them within the week as they started peeling.

[applesandpears33]

We use heavy granite ones which we stick in the dishwasher a couple of times a week. After 13 years they are still going strong. Might not be great with small kids though.

[palatemilly]

I use these table mats and i've never had any issues with them, there top quality and don't get ruined easily.

[EmeliaHerveyHenryFitzroy]

palatemilly those look interesting- do you just wipe them down or can you wash them in washing machine / dishwasher?

[BillyShingles]

We have sainsbury's bamboo ones for all the reasons you've stated. A couple have curved which makes them basically unusable but the rest are ok.

Dishwashable ones sound like a fantastic idea.

[Blerg]

Thank you everyone!