Tablecloths - do you use them ?

We have no dining room, but a decent extendable kitchen table made from ash or elm (can't remember). Daily I use thick cloth placemats, but tablecloths will be put on for holidays or company. I have quite a few, mostly cotton/poly mix.

Since so many of you mention oilcloth, I looked it up but can't seem to find it available near me. For us the choice seems to be vinyl (pvc) or cloth, but no coated cloth. I'll have to look further.

Only on Christmas Day.

It's a shame as I have the most beautiful ones from my Great Aunt who was in India and had the most gorgeous cloths,. Also both my grandmothers had them and my mother. All which I have stashed away, probably not to be seen until we pop our clogs

When I married 52 years ago my husband insisted on having a tablecloth and we still do.

I hope your husband washes and irons them in that case.

We chose our dining tables for their looks so I don't understand the concept of putting a cloth over them when they are not in use.

I’ve always used a table cloth. Always wipeable, and carefully chosen to look fresh and (hopefully) not old fashioned. I’m currently using one from Next.
I have quite a large extendable light wood table, so it’s partly for protection (along with a heat protector) but partly because I like the look, and it means I can vary it.
Reading the posts though, I do wonder if I should give a naked table a try!

Mr C is currently building a small wooden model on our table kitty. Without a protector and cloth on the table I’d fear for its safety - and that of Mr C . It’s a multi purpose table. On the rare occasions one end isn’t covered in some sort of hobby activity we can see the top, otherwise a cloth and peace of mind it is.

I get that, corner. And am glad to hear you are protecting the table, MrC and your sanity.

I do, with a heat protector underneath. It’s teak and easily marks and I don’t trust DH to use coasters and table mats.
I love using tablecloths, I have several that I switch around.

kittylester

We chose our dining tables for their looks so I don't understand the concept of putting a cloth over them when they are not in use.

I admit confusion also, I love our tables, love looking at the gorgeous wood. I'd not like to look at a cover, so I clean and polish.

I always worried that toddlers would pull a tablecloth and everything would land on the floor. I have a pine farmhouse kitchen table and just use table mats.

My parents bought a new, dark oak dining suite in the early 1950s and the table top has probably never seen the light of day. It always had a thick felt pad, under a chenille tablecloth, with a wipe-clean vinyl cloth over that, then a white damask tablecloth, and mats.

The cat scratched the table legs, but nothing and nobody was going to spoil the top. It was treated with lavender wax every so often, then diligently covered again with all its layers.

We have a wipeable tablecloth for everyday use and various cotton ones for occasions. The Gchn enjoy having the table dressed for their birthdays!

I used to have a beautiful oak table and then used just mats. Sadly it doesn’t fit in this kitchen and so is currently in the conservatory. It still gets the clean and polish that it is used too!

I use tablecloths all the time. Each one reminds me of my Aunties or my Mum when I use them.

I love to see a nice tablecloth and use one all the time on the kitchen table.

I always used them, but prefer the wood showing & cloth mats / runner now. Except Christmas when I do like guests to have elbow room & use 2 tables adjoined with white linen cloth on each.
Our lovely, sadly missed cat used to make us laugh, when there was a spare chair he would sneak under the table cloth when we weren't looking & "stalk" the food! He must've thought he couldn't see us so we couldn't see him, but a cat-sized lump moving across the table towards the roast is hard to miss!

kittylester

We chose our dining tables for their looks so I don't understand the concept of putting a cloth over them when they are not in use.

Oh I'd only use a tablecloth when we were eating.

Not sure if anyone keeps a tablecloth on when not eating. Pleased to be corrected if wrong!

I have some from ikea. Good point from someone else on here about small children pulling them off. Just had placemats when I had little ones in the house. I’m not a great homemaker, fairly utilitarian and I’m learning to accept the fact.

I remember that my mum had a heavy cotton plain cloth on the table all the time and a thin cotton tablecloth over the top for eating. After eating she would shake it outside to get the crumbs off then fold it neatly and put it on the end of the table. Shaking the cloth was often delegated to my dad. I hadn’t thought of that since I left home! It’s lovely how these threads can bring up old memories.

I have a beautiful hand embroidered Christmas tablecloth. It must be at least 100 years old and is a family heirloom. It comes out every year. I also have a pretty floral one I use for things like Easter and birthdays. If the summer is good I have some Italian ones I use in the garden for barbecues.

No I don’t I use placemats. Haven’t used a tablecloth since for around twenty years

When we had a large pine farmhouse table, cloths were only for special occasions.
Then we had a little extendable table - mats or a cloth depending on the mood.
Now, on my own, I have either but rarely a naked table.