I’ve gone back to tablecloths

I have an oilcloth to protect my glass garden table, but indoors my dining table is scrubbed with wood cleaner and mostly left bare except for Christmas. However, we’ve just re-decorated in the dining room and having been gifted some lovely Denby table mats (thanks to secret Santa) I’ve decided to use my tablecloths when we have visitors to dinner.

Love a tablecloth always have

Factoid. Maccassar was a hair oil used by Victorian gents. Victorian ladies put cloths on chairbacks to stop the oil staining them. So they were called antimacassars.

I have two oil cloth table covers. Brilliant for protecting the table and allowing grandchildren to paint or colour as well as eat their dinners.
I have several beautuful table cloths and special Christmas patterns
On a couple of side tables, I use cloths embroidered with mum 💖

We have a small glass table perfect for the two of us love it but a b**** to clean so I use table cloths and when I have people round for a chat or vist remove people always ask how I keep the shine GC have threatened to tell . I use a apron as a retired cook its just something I do

... with Mr Bennet at the head of a well laid-out table.

I was not too happy when DH bought a 17th century table at an antique fair as we had a perfectly good teak one ( which is now back in fashion) and many table cloths for it as well as a table protector. The antique table is oval and the only cover which fits it is an old sheet!

I bought a paper colour-in Christmas table cloth for this Christmas for fun. Was a real success, with the grandchildren and the adult alike. Used it on the kitchen table and put out two pencil cases so no squabbling between the grandchildren. They sat and coloured whilst waiting for their breakfast and other meals and sometimes adults or children just sat at the table colouring and talking whilst the cooking or coffee making was going on. Just need to make sure you have the right pens that don’t soak through to the table underneath!

I now use plain-coloured cotton/poly tablecloths all the time, Having seen too much unused "best china" in charity shops, I decided to use mine every day and to put it in the dishwasher for better or worse. But the PVC tablecloth looked so wrong that I got out the proper tablecloths. I'm glad I did. They wash and dry so easily and don't need ironing.

A few years ago I acquired a most beautiful hand embroidered table cloth made by a lady in the village who I used to visit. She died aged 92 and was the most interesting person to talk to and when I walked past her house she would tap the window and beckon me in for tea.

It is white linen and it is covered in spring flowers, daffodils, tulips, crocus, grape hyacinths etc. it is stunning and I have it on a little table in my summerhouse. I absolutely love it and think of her every time I open the door. The colours are as fresh as the day she made it and she told me she made it in the 1950s.

Very fond of table runners, table cloths, table mats and also chair covers too. We have quite a collection for different seasons, different holidays and special occasions.

Like Anetha, I l have a beautiful mahogany table that needs protection. I have a heat proof cover plus a vinyl tablecloth - very practical, as especially it’s in a south facing window, but I would love to just use it!

Oilskin/vinyl ones for every day here. They protect the table and look good.

My 'best' table cloth is a Christmas one - it came from a Charity shop many years ago and comes out each year.

One that I haven't yet used is a white one. It has a deep border of lace that was handmade by my Dad's aunt. I'm really not sure about using it with my tendency to splash the gravy...

I always use a protector and tablecloths on the dining table but don't bother in the kitchen.

At least they're not the white damask ones which used to need starching, although I still have a few of those tucked away somewhere. Most went to the charity shop.

I have been married for 57 years this year - have always used tablecloths and aprons- even use matching napkins when family are coming over (or paper ones when they’re not). I moan about the ironing but find it’s quite therapeutic!).

I've had to use tablecloths for a few years now as we have a lively dog who , in spite of relentless cries of 'Get DOWN', must have a peek at the table top. This involves resting a paw or two on the polished edge for a moment. After seeing some minor scratches, on went the table protector and a cloth. 'Quite nice though - I've grown to like it. Perhaps some slippers for the dog might do the trick too.

We have a battered old pine kitchen table and I use oilskin tablecloths. Wipe clean and no ironing . And it adds a pop of colour in my kitchen.
At Christmas I use a white Damask table cloth .

I'm a fan of aprons and tablecloths, both can be made from remnants found in the sales. I like sewing 🙂

BigBertha1, that made me laugh out loud because I have one of those. I still love a tablecloth though and have just got a load from my Mum's house. The Christmas one's in particular bring back happy memories of all of us gathered together for Christmas Dinner before our family became so fractured.

Use one regularly. Protects my lovely table as well as being colourful.

I use tablecloths now too as my grandchildren splatter food and drink everywhere.

I seem to alternate between a runner and a tablecloth. Tablecloths work better when there is a family gathering people can put glasses or dishes down where they want and not scrabble for a coaster.
When it's just the two of us I use a runner and placemats I like to see the wood.
I have quite a collection of tablecloths for different seasons and still like the old-fashioned seersucker-checked ones you don't have to iron.

I've got several that I've made from IKEA curtains/ duvet covers bought in sales plus a "proper" table cloth in a cosy tartan fabric which we used over the Christmas period. When I look at the stains on the cloths, I just think those stains could have been on the dining table. Red wine isn't a good look on wood.

I love the concept of table cloths and always use one on the kitchen table (with a protector underneath, J52) when we have children eating with us but I much prefer the gleam of the table with mats etc and no cloths.

We never use on in the kitchen except for when children are painting or crafting.

I love my tablecloths. My daughters borrow one of my collection from time to time. GSM and Gwyllt, they feel the same as you about laundering them, but have solved this little problem by returning them to me unwashed.