Recommendations For The Wash & Care of Table Cloths and Napkins

nsure your table cloths and napkins retain their orginal look and feel by following our recommendation for washing table linens.
From the basic requirements all the way through to the washing and drying our guide should ensure your table linens keep their colour retention.

Basic Requirements

Equipment must be free of sharp edges as they may snag and cause pulls/damage to the table cloths. If using a washing machine with preset programs use a program with cool down.

Washing Equipment must have properly functioning water level and temperature controls. Powder or chemical feed systems must be functioning properly. Detergent must not contain softener.

Do not use Chlorine bleach on colours only use colour safe oxy. bleaches. Drying equipment must have properly functioning temperature and cool-down controls.

Lint screens on dryers must be cleaned daily.

Standard operating procedure should include periodic inspections of the above listed requirements.

Domestic Washing Machines

100% Polyester Table linens (Amalif/Signature/Gingham) All new linen should be washed separately prior to use to remove any manufacturing residual dye. Colours and product should not be mixed on this initial wash. Subsequent wash cycles, similar colours/shades (e.g. white, medium, dark,) can be washed together (see below).All table cloth linen must be shaken out to ensure debris (e.g. food and sharp objects) are not loaded into the washer. All polyester table cloths should be washed separately from 100% cotton and polycotton blends, as loose fibres from cotton and polycotton blends can deposit lint onto the polyester linens. Use synthetic wash cycle/process (maximum 60° C for normal soiling), cool tumble dry, warm iron if required.

For heavily soiled items, wash temperatures can be increased to a maximum of 80° C but will require a gradual cool down. Step down temperature by 5° C increments or less until load is at 45° C as thermal shock may occur if load is cooled down rapidly.

Semi Industrial Washing Machines

Typical Wash Program For 100% Polyester Table Linen. Load washers up to 80% of rated capacity. Avoid use of any softeners or bacteria stats in the wash as these will mask the absorbency of the fabric. Do not use chlorine bleach on coloured table linen, only use oxygen release bleach. The use of sours will assist the removal of residual chemicals and assist any starching required. Do not use P.V.A. starch; only use natural starch. For heavily soiled items, wash temperatures can be increased to a maximum of 80° C but will require a gradual cool down. Step down temperature by 5° C increments or less until load is at 45° C as thermal shock may occur if load is cooled down to rapidly. Suggested Drying Procedure Load dryers up to 50% capacity.Set heat cycle to fabric temperature of 80° C - 90° C (low setting). Linen must be dry before “cool-down” cycle starts. Drying time usually varies between 10 and 20 minutes, depending on extraction, load size and temperature.

These procedures should be followed to obtain optimum flat-dry results;

A.) All fabrics should be unloaded immediately after cycle is completed. Cloths should then be draped across a trolley or folding table, napkins stacked flat.

B.) Allow 24 hour “shelf-time” to enhance flat-dry appearance. Professional results are best obtained by ironing.

Suggested Wash Care Shade Groups

Whites - White

Lights - Ivory, Bone, Lemon, Buttermilk, Wheat, Light Pink, Oyster Pink, Blush, Duck Egg

Mediums - Medrite Grey, Seafoam, Turquoise, Periwinkle, Wedgewood, Kiwi, Moss, Olive, Pumpkin, Sandalwood, Ginger, Peach, Gold, Dusky Pink, Grape, Violet, Tangerine, Wild Raspberry, Cinnamon.

Darks - Royal Blue, Forest Green, Pewter, Purple, Mocha, Maroon, Navy,Black and Reds should always be washed seperately.