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Tablecloths - do you use them ?

(71 Posts)
keepingquiet Mon 03-Feb-25 08:30:46

I have given mine to charity shops. I use mats and a decorative cloth at Christmas.

Any spills get wiped off.

M0nica Mon 03-Feb-25 08:20:13

I have an Ercol table in the kitchen/family room and that is permanently protected by a heat protector and a plastic table cloth that is permanently there, (except when people come to view the house, it is currently for sale)

We have a formal dining table in the hall, which is used for high days and holidays and always has a table cloth on it when being used for dining. This is because the first ting I do when using the table is put the heat protector on it and hide it under a table cloth.

seadragon Mon 03-Feb-25 08:17:53

We have a large wipeable tablecloth; blue & white; patterned with large stylised fish from John Lewis. It protects our refectory oak table purchased from a friend.

Chocolatelovinggran Mon 03-Feb-25 07:57:46

I love a tablecloth, and napkins, and use them when I have guests. My collection includes white linen, beige check and a bright provencal print. I like a nicely presented table. I prefer a restaurant with tablecloths, too.
My daughters borrow mine from time to time, then return them to me for laundering....

eazybee Mon 03-Feb-25 07:50:17

Yes. I use tablecloths, always have, mainly because they protect the surface of the dining table. I do use a cloth mat if it is just me and all the food is already on the plate, so no splodges between serving dishes and plate.

Astitchintime Mon 03-Feb-25 07:48:51

I bought a length of oil cloth table covering from Dunelm - it is really pretty and wipes easily. But we do have handmade table mats which do need to be washed from time to time but they do make the place settings look nice.

Tend to use a proper table cloth at Christmas and when we have people over for dinner, which isn't often now.

Marmight Mon 03-Feb-25 07:48:46

My table, a large square pine affair which we had made to fit our then dining room, now acts as ‘office’ work place, filing space, sewing/art area & general dumping ground for items with no home as well as for dining, so yes, it is always covered firstly with a table protector then with a cloth. I interchange Indian throws with a French red & white check cloth. On high days and holidays I throw caution to the wind and use a beautiful white cloth now liberally sprinkled with red wine blobs. I really should be brave and use the table au naturel. It looks so much better naked.

kittylester Mon 03-Feb-25 07:31:51

Only at Christmas. I find them a pain and like to see the wood of the dining table - it's Danish teak.

Mostly though we eat in the kitchen at an extending table. We use cork mats and cotton napkins but no tablecloth.

BlueBelle Mon 03-Feb-25 07:26:01

No I don’t eat at a table and I ve always had a scrubbed wood
(non polished) table so only ever used place mats but no one eats at mine now anyway just me

Imarocker Mon 03-Feb-25 07:18:19

I use a tablecloth whenever we eat in the dining room which is usually every Friday night and whenever we have visitors. I stock up on them when I visit the USA. We have a large table even before it is extended and I buy tablecloths in Walmart. They are stain resistant, washable and tumble dry without needing ironing. We generally use paper napkins but get out the cloth ones if people are staying over.

travelsafar Mon 03-Feb-25 07:17:13

I have a beautiful handmade crocheted white cloth that looks like lace it's made from very fine cotton. I use it on my round table everyday as the table looks 'dressed' and so bare without it.

Casdon Mon 03-Feb-25 07:11:36

Yes, I use them, although day to day we eat in the kitchen. My dining table is french polished, and therefore marks easily, so a tablecloth (and a felt heat protector underneath) makes sense. Also some old tablecloths are works of art, so much work has gone into them that it would be a shame if they never saw the light of day.

Sago Mon 03-Feb-25 07:11:32

I do use tablecloths occasionally but always use linen napkins if we are entertaining.

cornergran Mon 03-Feb-25 07:08:18

I enjoy using tablecloths, including the linen ones beautifully embroidered by my ma in law, some over 70 years old. Our family never use them though.

Aldom Mon 03-Feb-25 07:08:12

It's years since I used tablecloths. I use place mats and cloth napkins. I've always used cloth napkins, except for guests who come for coffee /tea, cake /biscuits. Then I offer attractive paper napkins.

Sarnia Mon 03-Feb-25 07:00:16

Tablecloths come out for occasions only now.
I remember my Granny had a chenille cloth on her dining table all the time and replaced it at mealtimes with a more functional one which could be washed.

mum2three Mon 03-Feb-25 06:57:03

My husband was a messy eater and all tablecloths were soon spoiled. Now I live alone and can have the prettiest, laciest cloths without worrying about something being spilled.

Calendargirl Mon 03-Feb-25 06:53:57

Always have a tablecloth on the table at mealtimes.

Catches crumbs and any ‘bits’.

Then after we finish, I ‘shake the cloth’ outside.

Not bothered if fashionable or not.

GrannyIvy Mon 03-Feb-25 06:21:00

I do use tablecloths occasionally especially at Christmas and when friends and family come for dinner. It is lovely to see a dressed table.
On a daily basis I use fabric placemats and large heat resistant placemats on my table to protect it.

Redhead56 Mon 03-Feb-25 00:40:23

I do because when I married my husband had a very nice dining table. I was divorced with two young children so a tablecloth was totally necessary.
I had a pair of curtains tablecloth and napkins made from a lovely floral cloth I bought. I matched it with table mats coasters and candles and there is always a vase of fresh flowers and lovely glasses. Christmas the room and table is dressed and takes on a different look that embraces the season very colourful.
I also bought from charity shops gold rimmed china tableware to complete the look on special occasions. My now grownup family say its old fashioned but it’s nice I love the look.

nanna8 Mon 03-Feb-25 00:19:44

Probably this topic isn’t new but lately I have gone back to using a tablecloth. My favourite is a red and white gingham check one, just reminds me of Italy and holidays abroad. It makes my family room look cosy and inviting, I love it. I also have a linen one with a white background and olives all over it. Another Italian style one. I have put the candlesticks back on the table,too. Red wine completes the look! I am even thinking of going back to cloth napkins, at least you wash them rather than just throw them away like the paper ones.