Vinyl Tablecloth
Posted by adminUnless you are the one preparing a fancy sit down dinner, you probably won’t notice whether there is a cloth or vinyl tablecloth or even if anything is there at all. The fact is that most people take this nicety for granted. After all, tablecloths have been around for a long time. Their purpose is originally utilitarian. Tablecloths were used to protect the surface of the table from stains and spills. They were also used to hide a plain table and remake it into something fancier.
Over the years, tablecloths have been made out of all kinds of textiles: cotton, wool, asbestos, raffia, and oilcloth, just to name a few. Today, asbestos has fallen out of favor, raffia is more commonly found in placemats, and oilcloth has been remade into vinyl cloths. Vinyl tablecloths first became popular in the 1950’s.
They were used outdoors to cover picnic tables and indoor to compliment the bright Formica of a typical kitchen. The most popular pattern on a vinyl cloth was, and still is, the classic red and white checked picnic pattern.
Today, many homemakers still like these tablecloths because of their stain resistance and easy cleaning. The back of the tablecloth is made of flannel or another soft fabric that prevents it from slipping while you are eating. The top is made of a polymer we commonly call vinyl. Vinyl is water proof and stain resistant.
If you leave spaghetti sauce sit on this tablecloth overnight, chances are you will have a stain. But if your child spills Kool-Aid everywhere, you should find your tablecloth easy to clean and looking like new in no time flat. The durability of this tablecloth also makes them popular at restaurants, especially of the mom and pop variety. They add a touch of country charm without adding to the washing.
It is true that vinyl tablecloths aren’t appropriate for every situation. They speak of summer, family fun, eating with your children, and picnic benches. This vibe isn’t a good match for a swanky French restaurant.
However, if you are planning the aforementioned sit down dinner, you should still consider using a this wonderful tablecloth. Today, you can find them in countless sizes, colors, and patterns. One is sure to give you the understated elegance that you want and the easy clean up that you need when you are entertaining at home. Because of the versatility and user friendliness, vinyl tablecloths should be available for purchase for decades to come.
After you have purchases and used your vinyl tablecloth for some time, you may find that it is ripped, stained, or just out of fashion. Because the top is made of plastic, throwing it away means millennia of sitting in a landfill. Get as much use out of your tablecloth as possible. Cut it and sew it into reusable shopping bags. Give it to your kids to use as a craft mat. If it is still in good condition, give it to a thrift store. Your tablecloth has many potential future uses.