Let’s be honest for a second. You must have a bunch of good napkins somewhere in a drawer. You look at them. You admire them. You close the drawer and take a paper towel instead.
It’s a common problem. You are afraid of messy eaters. You are scared that a single spaghetti session is going to end up staining your nice linens permanently. Or maybe you are also worried by the thought of washing so many laundry items.
I get it. Paper towels are easy. But they are also very wasteful. Did you know that paper products constitute the highest percentage of the US landfill waste as per the EPA? It is such a waste to wipe our mouths with that.
Reusing is a minor shift that yields a significant outcome. Your Tuesday taco night will feel just a bit special, but you need to know the right care for them to stay nice and clean.
In this blog, I show how to wash cloth napkins without destroying them.
This blog will show you how to wash napkins without ruining them. It's not about being a perfect housekeeper. It's about what actually works in real life.
Key Points
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Knowing which material you are washing is important to choose the best process.
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It is difficult to remove the stain once it has taken too long.
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Wash the coloured and white napkins with separate washing, and do not use fabric softeners.
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Take out the dryer napkins when slightly moist to avoid wrinkling.
Knowing What You Are Washing
The last thing to make fabrics is to treat them in the same manner as they are the fastest to be ruined. But always check the tag before loading all the napkins in the washing machine.
The Natural Choice: Cotton and Linen
The majority of people like natural fibers. An ordinary cotton linen napkin is very heavy and appears expensive. In case you would like something a little bit more entertaining, a cotton printed napkin generally covers the stains due to the pattern.
The Easy Choice: Synthetics and Blends
If you hate ironing, you might want to look at a cotton blend cloth napkin or a polycotton cloth napkin. These are mixes of natural cotton and synthetic polyester. They resist wrinkles and keep their color well.
Properly Cleaning the Cloth Napkins
Okay, down to business: how do you actually keep them clean without losing your mind?
Dealing with Stains
And the best way to take out stains is speed, because the longer a stain sits, the harder it fights to stay.
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Oil and Grease: Rub a drop of dish soap into the spot with your finger. This should be done before it goes in the hamper.
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Red Wine or Juice: Instantly flush it with cold water. Never use hot water on a fresh fruit stain; heat cooks the sugar into the fibers.
The Wash Cycle
Can you machine wash cotton napkins? Yes. Please do not hand-wash them unless you have endless free time. But there are a few rules.
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Sort by Color: Understanding the coloured vs white cloth napkins is vital. Whites can handle hot water to kill germs. Colors require cool or warm water in order to avoid fading.
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The Detergent: The most effective detergent to use in washing of table linens is most often an enzyme-containing liquid one. These are meant to consume the food proteins.
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No to Fabric Softener: Fabric softener should not be used on cloth table napkins. Softener is used by coating fibers with a thin coating of wax. This causes the napkin to repel water. You do not want your napkin to smear the mess around; you want it to wipe your face.
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Green Processes: Put one cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle. It removes traces of detergent and is among the most appropriate tips in ensuring white napkins are shiny and bright.
Drying and The Wrinkle War
Should you air-dry or tumble-dry?
Tumble drying is fine for most daily napkins. The secret to how to keep cloth napkins from wrinkling is not letting them bake. Pull them out of the dryer while they are still slightly damp. If you dry them until they are hot and crispy, they will be permanently wrinkled.
If you need them crisp for a party, here is how to iron cloth dinner napkins: Do it while they are damp. The steam from the fabric releases the wrinkles instantly.
Storing Them Away
You must store napkins to avoid mildew or wrinkles. Never fold them if they are even a tiny bit wet. That is how you get mold. If you want your napkins to last longer, keep them in a cool drawer away from direct sunlight. This can act like a slow-motion bleach on colors.
Tips to Choose Your Napkins
If you haven't made the switch yet and are looking to buy napkins online, don't just click on the first pretty picture you see. You need to match the napkin to your actual life.
For the Big Family: If you have three kids and a dog, you are going to go through a lot of linens. You should definitely look for bulk cloth napkins.
For the Mess Makers: Do you eat a lot of BBQ or pasta? You need absorbent cloth napkins. Also, do yourself a favor and buy darker colors or printed cloth napkins.
For the Budget Conscious: You do not need to spend a fortune to quit paper towels. There are plenty of cheap cloth napkins and affordable cloth napkins out there.
Once you decide to buy cloth napkins, wash them immediately. New fabrics have a coating from the factory that stops them from absorbing liquid. A quick wash breaks them in.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How often should I wash my napkins?
Wash them after each use. They touch your mouth and clean the food. This is different from a bath towel which only dries clean skin.
2. Why do the napkins smell of old oil?
The detergent did not remove all the grease. The remaining oil is destroyed after a while. Fix them by washing them in warm water with a cup of ammonia. Do not add detergent. This breaks down fat.
3. Can I wash them with normal clothes?
It is better not to do this. Zippers and buttons can tear the napkin fabric. In addition, clothes and napkins require different washing settings.
4. How many napkins do I need?
If there are four people in your house, take 10 to 12 napkins. This includes food for a few days and extra food is given to you when guests arrive.
5. Does cold water work well enough?
Yes, if you use modern detergent. Cold water saves electricity and prevents colors from fading. Use hot water only when you need to kill bacteria.
Final Words
Napkins are not something you need to worry about. It's just a matter of simple habits. Wash them briefly with fabric softener, wash bad stains right away, and don't leave them in the dryer for too long.
If you want to upgrade your dining experience by purchasing napkins that are simple, long-lasting, fashionable and easy to wash, you must visit Ruvanti. They have a large selection that is modern and practical.
Visit Ruvanti and get the best kit for your home.
