Caring for vinyl placemats: the complete guide

3 min read

Vinyl placemats are about as low-maintenance as table linen gets. A few habits keep the metallic finish looking as it did on the first night.

After every meal

Wipe the placemat with a soft cloth dampened in warm water and a drop of mild dish soap, then dry it with a soft towel. Drying stops water spots on the metallic surface.

Sticky or greasy marks

Let a little diluted dish soap sit on the mark for a minute, then wipe. Skip scouring pads, bleach, solvents and abrasive cleaners, which can dull or scratch the finish.

Openwork designs

Shake out crumbs over the sink, or brush gently with a soft brush. Spills pass through openwork to the table, so wipe the surface underneath too.

Heat and flame

Vinyl can soften or mark under high heat. Set hot pans and serving dishes on a trivet, not directly on a placemat or runner. Keep candles in holders or on a tray, well away from the vinyl.

Storage

Store placemats and runners flat, stacked, somewhere away from direct sun and heat. Don't fold or roll them, which can crease the pressed pattern. If one arrives with a slight curl from packing, lay it flat for a while and it will usually settle.

What to avoid

No dishwasher, washing machine, dryer or iron. They are designed for indoor tables; long hours of direct sun can fade or warp vinyl, so bring them in after an outdoor meal.

There is a printable version of these instructions on our care guide page.