Several ways to smooth a oilcloth tablecloth

To prevent ugly excesses on the oilcloth tablecloth, it must be stored on a roll, but this is not always convenient. Only a tablecloth bought or stored for a long time when folded will always have creases on the fold. After spreading it on the table, they will disappear, but after a while. This time depends on the type of product, its thickness and quality. If you have no time or desire to wait, you can use some alignment tips.

Alignment methods

There are several ways to align the oilcloth.

1. In open form, on a flat surface, go through a normal hairdryer to the places of bends. The hairdryer must be kept at a distance of at least 25 centimeters from the surface, otherwise the product may be damaged. This technique is effective, but laborious, especially if the area is large and there are many creases. Thick material will have to spend more time to warm up the entire thickness.
2. Moisten the oilcloth in hot water, but not in boiling water, and hang it on one side so that it smoothes out under its own weight. Or attach weights for weighting, but in this case the fabric may skew if the weight is unevenly distributed or too heavy weights are chosen.
3. Soak the tablecloth in hot water, as in the second paragraph, and lay it on the table, placing weighted objects in curved places. Using this method, consider that traces may remain, so they should not be kept for a long time.
4. Use the iron in minimum operation and with a damp cloth. Carefully smooth out irregularities with stroking movements.

Depending on the material from which the oilcloth is made, certain technologies work differently and have unequal effectiveness. Let us consider separately the types of materials.

Vinyl

This is a very practical and easy-to-use material that prevents sliding on the table and protects furniture from damage, and at the same time looks very aesthetically pleasing. There are oilcloth models that mimic the fabric. They do not need to be washed, they do not wrinkle during short creasing, but if there are large folds, it will be enough to smooth them with a warm iron through a damp kitchen towel.

It should be noted that vinyl is afraid of high temperatures, so before ironing, it is recommended to try on an inconspicuous corner, so as not to spoil everything. There is no need to press hard and linger for a long time at one point, just walk lightly if necessary several times.

Polyvinyl chloride

PVC material is popular due to its long service life and practicality. It does not require ironing, but if there is such a need, an iron and a damp cloth are used. The minimum temperature is required, all irregularities are removed with gentle smooth movements. The use of a hairdryer is permissible, even more convenient, in the case of a small thickness.

Tip

A PVC product can be washed only at a water temperature of up to 40 degrees Celsius - and only manual.

Acrylic

This is a wear-resistant and waterproof material based on cotton or linen, but, unlike natural woven fabrics, is not wrinkled and not afraid of stains, while maintaining the structure and properties of ordinary fabric, it creates an effective look on the table. Acrylic impregnation is resistant to high temperatures, can withstand a hot pot or pan. It can be washed and ironed from the wrong side under normal temperature conditions. There is no need to apply other methods.

There is only one drawback - over time, acrylic loses its properties.

Teflon

Teflon impregnation, like acrylic, is resistant to dirt and stains, has a water-repellent effect. But she does not like high temperatures, she can not be washed, twisted and ironed, in which case Teflon emits harmful substances. When ironing such a thing is inevitable, overheating should be avoided. You can wash the tablecloth at a temperature not exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, and you need to iron with a warm iron.

The method of stretching the bends in the wet state is not very suitable, but it can also be used.

Polyester

The most common oilcloth in the kitchen, because it is well washed, does not fade, does not wrinkle and is inexpensive. There is a pure polyester, but there is a cotton basis. The first option is strictly forbidden to boil, it quickly melts and is afraid of fire. The second burns out during the time twice as much and also does not tolerate boiling. Therefore, temperature smoothing methods are used with great care.

When wetting and drying, smoothing requires avoiding direct sunlight, they can only spoil the product. But in general, the method is very suitable for this material.

To summarize

It is possible to smooth out any oilcloth using temperature methods, with a few exceptions, which were considered earlier. But other techniques are no less effective, they only require more substantial investment of time.