How to clean tablecloths

[redwinekeepsyousane]

i love using tablecloths when people come for dinner but don’t seem to have the magic know how for how to get them clean afterwards. I’ve tried soaking in hot water, soaking in cold water, vanish, bicarbonate etc. Please can someone tell me what the done thing is and how catering companies keep their white cloths clean because not even bleach seems to work on mine. And obviously I can’t use bleach on the pretty coloured ones. All tips gratefully received!

I'm an Airbnb host, so dealing with laundry and stains is an ongoing issue.

Catering companies keep their whites white by chucking anything that isn't perfect. It's very time consuming to deal with stains.

Bleach only works on synthetic fibres.

But if you want to tackle it, - and I often do - Never soak any kind of stain (blood,food, etc) in hot water. It 'sets' the stain. Attack always in cold water first. Soak for 24 hrs. Soak for up to 48 hrs in cold water and Vanish, then hand scrub. That's if you can be bothered.

Vanish.

Spot clean the stain rather than just leaving to soak in vanish, then wash as normal.

I didn’t know bleach only worked on synthetic fibres - that explains why I can’t get it to work sometimes. Thank you for that info @roguefemale

So sounds like I need to get some little brushes and scrub at the stains with the vanish after I’ve soaked them. It’s so time consuming! I’m a bit like a magpie with tablecloths. I have so many and then don’t dare use them in case they get dirty. Ridiculous.

Soak in a strong solution of biological washing powder or liquid and cold water.

And sunlight for tomato-y stains.

You need to plan the tablecloth for the meal.
Curry - dark tablecloth
Tomato based - bright colour
Roast - white is fine