You can wash table linens in the washing machine or by hand, whichever works best for you. Just be sure to pre-treat any stains before washing the tablecloth in either case.

If you’re using your washing machine, a permanent press cycle with cold water and gentle detergent is the way to go. If you’re hand-washing, opt for lukewarm water and gentle detergent in a tub. Make sure to thoroughly rub and squeeze through your tablecloth for a full clean, then rinse several times with clear water.

For more table linen washing tips, including advice on banishing stubborn stains, see our tablecloth cleaning guide.

If your tableware is made entirely of linen, air-drying is best. Simply hang it or lay it flat away from the sun.

For cotton or blended tablecloths and table runners, you can use your dryer. We recommend a medium-high heat or permanent press cycle.

Just remember, if you plan to iron your table linen, don’t dry it fully. The iron works best on fabric that’s a little damp.

Iron your tablecloths, napkins, placemats and table runners with our simple steps:

1. Ensure the iron is clean to avoid dirtying your table linens all over again
2. Fill your iron with distilled water
3. Lay your table linen on the ironing board underside-up
4. Begin ironing on medium heat and only increase if the wrinkles are not disappearing
5. Lighter tablecloths will need to be flipped and ironed on the other side, but darker-coloured table linen only needs ironing on the underside

A gorgeous tablecloth is no good if it doesn’t sit on your table just right.

It’s not as simple as matching the measurement of your tablecloth to your tabletop size, though. A rectangular tablecloth should have an overhang between 8 and 12 inches. This prevents any bits of the tabletop from being exposed while ensuring the tablecloth isn’t so big that the edges drag on the floor. To achieve an 8-12 inch overhang, make sure your rectangular tablecloth is 16-24 inches wider and longer than your table.

However, if your table linen is to be reserved for the fanciest of occasions, a drop length of 15 inches on either side is typical for formal dinners. So, if you really want to give your dinner guests the Michelin experience, you’ll want a table linen that is 30 inches wider and longer than the table.

If you’re just like King Arthur and have a nice, round table, you’ll need to measure the diameter of your table. Then, decide how much overhang you want. Times your desired overhang length - whether it’s a casual 10 inch overhang or a Ritzy 15 - by two then add this to the diameter of your table to find your perfect tablecloth diameter.

You decide how often to wash and change your table linens. Depending on how messily you eat or what dishes you’re serving, you’ll probably want to wash your linens every 1 to 2 weeks.

You may want to keep the same linen on your table year-round and wash it at intervals, or maybe you’ll have themed tableware sets to spruce things up every season. Our tablescaping guide is brimming with ideas on how to dress your table up for all sorts of occasions.