I’m a big fan of kitchen linens. I use cloth napkins at almost every meal – even breakfast! Most of the time my table is set with place mats, but I always use a tablecloth when entertaining or serving a nice meal. I know that ironing a large tablecloth (or even ironing linens in general) might seem like an unpleasant task, so I thought I’d break it down for you to see how easy it is!
Here are a few tips that will make the whole process easier:
- Use high heat unless you are working with a delicate fabric.
- Make sure your iron is full of water – steam is your friend!
- Use starch for heavy or very wrinkled linens.
- Fold tablecloth in half lengthwise and position it on the wider part of the ironing board.
- Make sure the edges are even and meet at the corners.
- Iron in wide, firm sweeps across the fabric. As you work, move the ironed portion away from you – being careful that it hangs flat and doesn’t wrinkle on the ground.
- Store ironed linens on sturdy hangers until ready to use.
Cloth napkins are very simple to iron. I’ve been ironing napkins since I was about eight or nine. It’s a simple and rewarding job!
- Lay the napkin flat on the ironing board.
- Iron the entire surface until the major wrinkles are gone.
- Fold the napkin in half* and iron the surface, making a nice crease at the fold. You may have to flip the napkin over and iron the other side, depending on how wrinkled the material is.
- Fold the napkin in half (the other direction from your first fold) and iron the surface, again making a crease.
- Fold the napkin in half again and iron once more to define the folds.
*The direction in which you fold the napkin will depend on the shape and the pattern of the material.
Do you enjoy using kitchen linens?
Come Home For Comfort 
Do you iron napkins that have selvages by pressing the selvage flat? or fold it under?
LikeLike
I would probably fold it under and iron the fold.
LikeLike
Ironing napkins was my task at a young age too. Start ’em young! But ironing tablecloths can be such a pain… But I love when my table has all the table linens pressed and pretty!
LikeLike
I agree, it can be a tough job! But yeah, I love the look of freshly pressed linens too. 🙂
LikeLike
I love using table linens, and do use linen napkins every evening. I enjoy ironing linens also. I would rather have a basket of flat pieces any day. My collection of table cloths has been unused because of the change in tables that I have had over the years, but I try to use them in untraditional ways, especially the retro ones from the midcentury. I value their existence.
LikeLike
Your table linens always look pretty. I have several stacks of cloth napkins from you that I enjoy very much! 🙂
LikeLike
I need to do a better job of this! My valentine table cloth that’s currently on my table is far from crisp and wrinkle free. I’m not the best at ironing so I appreciate any tips. I think I could handle the napkins easily – haha 🙂
LikeLike
Yes I’m sure you’d have no problem with the napkins! 🙂 Tablecloths are always difficult for me too, especially the really heavy materials. Steam and heat are your friends!
LikeLike
I have a collection of cloth napkins that my late MIL made for me. She was a very frugal person and she saw the value of cloth napkins, placemats and tablecloths. Thanks for the tutorial….it is always hard for me to get my tablecloths wrinkle free.
LikeLike
You’re welcome! Steam and heat, with a little bit of elbow grease, will make a big difference!
LikeLike