Heat up the iron, and hope that it doesnt fade or stain. Keep it if YOU like it and buy polyester backups.

How does one return something that has been washed and dried? I consider that use. Cotton generally looks better in my opinion. Polyester holds grease stains.

I love cotton and am not a fan of polyester. It doesn’t feel as good to the touch to me, or look as fine. I prefer natural materials in general.

On the rare occasion I use a large tablecloth, I take it to the dry cleaners afterwards. For the smaller ones, I never put them in the dryer if they are cotton or linen

Oh wow, I've had completely the opposite experience with polyester -- I've always found stains to lift right out with a quick spray of stain remover.

I put cotton tablecloths in the dryer for a few minutes just to steam then shake out and hang to dry. Then they need minimal ironing, none if I am in a hurry.

I agree with taking the tablecloth to the dry cleaners--I do this for the large cotton or linen ones, but of course permanent press often look good right out of the dryer.

I like how cotton tablecloths look but can’t stand ironing them. I have no problems with staining of my polyester tablecloths. Except for one that had an oily bottle of salad dressing placed on it!

I believe you answered your OWN question: )

" Which I'm not going to do". ...................

The stores and online venues are loaded with poly tablecloths.

I'd add that I see no reason for a table cloth in the kitchen and daily use. Placemats.......

In the dining room, I hate "theme cloths" and prefer the settings/centerpiece etc convey the message.

...................................no can do : )

with table linens [ place mats/ runners/ and table cloths ] key is mixing it up . dont fear cotton. I have vintage cotton /and LINEN too.... cotton cloths that I've made and some purchased cloths.... and lace coverings [ some vintage] place mats and runners . Mix up the use and dont fear a stain. What's interesting is the old vintage cloths from grandma [remember the heavy white sort of embossed fabric? ] make a wonderful first layer and then runners/ mats create an updated look . If you have space to store them properly I'd say KEEP what you love and over time add to the assortment. Get a plastic layer of some sort between the table and any cloth . I also have an oilcloth for the stretches of time w no Holiday or special activity. OIL cloth is more available now in prints/patterns etc. HINT : there are loads of Vintage Christmas tablecloths in resale shops...I keep just one and use it some years...not every year.

I have dozens of cotton napkins and placemeats I hate the feel of polyester napkins and they absorb nothing. But I also am a person who irons all he time I iron tea towels , napkins , table clths and some of my placemats and cotton needs to be ironed that is how it looks smooth .I do not hink you will be able to return yours if you washed it so get out the iron and since it is for Christmas beprepared to iron it for the season

Keep the cotton tablecloth and just iron it. Cotton is always nicer IMO.

All cotton for me. I don't have a problem with ironing when needed. Stains are gone with OxiClean MaxForce Spray. I also will rub Dawn on any greasy stains.

I agree with what Chloebud wrote. Cotton feels wonderful, and is not super high maintenance. You shouldn't try to return it now that it has been laundered.

I love cotton or linen tablecloths (and then there's the lace one I brought back from Belgium a couple decades ago). I take them to the dry cleaner - I could never get them to look remotely as nice no matter how much time I spend on them with an iron.

I agree with the all-cotton/linen crowd. Natural materials look and feel better than polyester, and I don't like the fake/perfect look of something that you cannot crease. I use all cotton quilted place mats for everyday use, linen napkins and tablecloths for large occasions. And then take them to the dry cleaner or laundry for a good pressing.

I starch white 100% linen in front of the tv. ( holidays, company ) ..........quite relaxing. Same thing with ironed percale sheets. Heaven on earth: )

And YES to creases!

You can’t return something you’ve washed and dried. 100% for me or linen. They can have a few wrinkles they even look more French that way

So many cotton lovers -- never expected that!

Guess I'll be keeping it. I doubt I'll iron it, will have to embrace the slight rumpliness -- I'll try to think of that as being oh so French. LOL!

IME stains release easily from polyester tablecloths, but what about cotton? Is anyone actually a fan of 100% cotton tablecloths?

Yup. Cotton may be nice, but I hesitate to pull it out because of the necessary ironing -- give me polyester.

I take it to the dry cleaners afterwards.

Off topic, but dry cleaners are disappearing in my area!

I'd add that I see no reason for a table cloth in the kitchen and daily use. Placemats.......

Oh, no ... I love to set a pretty table, and a tablecloth is often part of that.

In the dining room, I hate "theme cloths" and prefer the settings/centerpiece etc convey the message.

In general I'm with you on "themed cloths", but I do love my red plaid for Christmas.

I starch white 100% linen in front of the tv. ( holidays, company ) ..........quite relaxing.

Ironing relaxing? You and I may not even be the same species.

I love cotton and linen. William Sonoma sells a linen tablecloth that is intentionally wrinkled. It is my favorite!

You should not be spilling your food all over the tablecloth or placemat, and only have to dab at your mouth. And stop eating with your hands! So the absorption should not matter. You’re welcome. Love, Miss Manners.

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! " Miss Manners"

If the dry c;leaner is disappearing? Blame in this order:

Casual every day/men

Yoga pant chicks 24 /7

Work from home jammie outfits

Don't work at ALLLLLLL AND JAMMIE OUTFITS

Jammie TYPE outfits for travel, for dining out, for nearly every darn thing on the USA PLANET.

POLYESTER.

I looove my dry cleaner. He stores my winter clothes for free. April to November. Kisses.

" You may not be on the same planet........

True. I love taking apart a Sub Zero and cleaning it to the walls.....I do it WITH clients occasionally when I peek in and see......well. You know. GOO : (

I still take some of my stuff to the dry cleaner -- silk jersey dresses, wool trousers, wool coats. But not as frequently, job has changed over the last handful of years so dressing differently now; still have and like to wear nice clothes, though. But I draw the line at taking a tablecloth to the dry cleaner.

My son's godmother owned a linen factory in Chicago. She used wonderful cotton or linen cloths and immediately whisked them to the laundry room for an overnight soak in the sink before washing them. I never saw her iron one though, but I wasn't around 24/7. Don't know what special concoction she may have soaked them in. I have lots of them in storage but they never get used any more. Anyone suggest an alternate use?

An alternate use? Certainly pillows come to mind, a runner depending pattern...... etc. Or donate.

I really don't get the loathing of the iron, but then I don't get a lot of things when it comes to living in a house, entertaining, or even just the concept of "I'm/we're worth the "trouble" . Instead, hours and hours go to shopping online, buying junk that eventually means sorting, and tossing the junk that was bought. Figuring how to sell it, to donate it , who to give it to. Kids have more plastic junk to play with than can be stored........entire rooms devoted to the stuff and more hours making the room cute.. They're STILL bored. Finally done with the plastic, it's sports and activities....the end of family dinners as they were ever known- unless you consider pizza and take out three or four nights a week, dinner.

Oh! Laundry!. A novel could be written on the topic. IN FACT...... I came up with first chapter and title of my forthcoming book, courtesy of a young client I adore. The same who yelled "Don't go UP!! as I ascended to grab a picture off the master bedroom wall.. The second floor is where clothing and tons of it, has seemingly gone to die on the floor of every bedroom and in the laundry room.

" Hon, you are one terrific mom, you truly are _ but you absolutely SUCK at laundry.! ..............." This cracks her up, and the story has gone round and round to gales of laughter from her mom ( sucks equally, actually) her sister, the painter. and her own husband. " Jan said I suck at laundry"

" Uhhhhh Welll..... yeah sorta?! ahahahhaahhaah"

Alas.....I was informed just this weekend: "Jan,,....you will be very proud! I'm doing a load every day!!!!"

My jaw dropping Saturday is complete: ) Bravo .

My iron is my best friend and I wish I would have taken my Moms mngle when she moved into a condo. I love irined sheets and I always buy 100% cotton ones . I ahve an iron that has a separate water holder for extended stam and alot more powerful than a regular iron all my ironing looks like it was done at the dry cleaners . I sen very little to the dry cleanser now that my husband i retired not to many times he weras a suit now.I aslo do laundry every day I hate dirty laundry sitting around. I think we all live as we live and if ironing is not your thing then get all polyester stuff I guess. Neither of our DILs iron one she just doesn't care and the other has my son who does all the ironing just like his Mom.

Speaking of laundry, my aunt stood outside the bathroom door when someone was bathing/showering and she grabbed the towels/washcloths before you could clear out of the room. They were in the wash and back on the shelf before the day ended! Fanatic, IMO! I'm putting an antique wooden ironing board and sleeve board online for sale as we comment! Got a steamer, but haven't used it yet. Hope I never have to!

My grandmother yanked your plate while you were still eating, yanked sheets while you were sleeping and .............................there were no dishwashers and she hung those sheets on "the line" , ironed them to a crispy smooth . All this after they came out of that wringer - blinding white.

I had several beautiful heirloom tablecloths that belonged to my husbands great aunt. they were ruined in a fire. im assuming they were linen or cotton. cert certainly not polyester. i would go with linen or cotton! i need to replace my tablecloths too.

I am a firm believer in the "fluff" cycle and only iron when sewing or absolutely necessary. Hubby irons his own shirts and that is the key to a long, happy marriage.

I actually don't hate to iron, and love ironed pillow cases. But having to iron a 12' tablecloth on a standard ironing board is just too unwieldy. There's no room for the ironed part to go and it winds up on the floor getting wrinkled again! So yes, it goes to the cleaners for a pressing, not dry cleaning.

Oh my Gosh! I had no idea that a table cloth was such a serious issue. I'm 64 and I think that part of my life was completely overlooked. I must have been working too long and too hard.

I love cotton table cloths, nothing feels or looks as good as cotton. I actually like ironing, and tablecloths are easy. But we're all different! I don't think most people would be upset about a few wrinkles, but I'm a little OCD, so I iron almost everything.

Shars55: I am also OCD. I love to iron too! I find it relaxing.

Clearly a "serious " topic...........I think we should morph to sheet storage. . I make ironed packets. Which simply means you iron/fold store to the way it looks when it came out of a sheet set PACKAGE when new, All nicely ironed/ folded/ tucked into the folded top sheet and ready to go on a bed.

By way of full disclosure, I only do this for one set, the other is ON my bed lol - the ironed set goes in the linen closet in a lidded sheet box.............................

( the only part of this I loathe, is that damn bottom sheet with its elastic corners %$#*& )

If you ask why I do it? Gotta say they stay darn wrinkle free all week, and the bliss of ironed sheets is sorta very WORTH IT . HAHAHHAHAAHA yes, I iron with "clean cotton" linen spray. Heavenly.

( tip of the day, it isn't too arduous as the BEST SHEETS? LL BEAN 400 count italian percale. For those that hate the iron? these come out of the dryer beautifully ready for the bed. )

@JAN MOYER can't find those sheets on LL Bean website. Desperate for sheets the I like the feel of.

LINK:

Right here: I should have said "egyptian percale"Best value on the market. I have them, and my clients LOVE them. I'm for white : )

https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/110938?page=premium-egyptian-percale-sheet-set-full&bc=31-131&feat=131-GN1&csp=f&pos=11

@JAN MOYER thank you