How to Clean Cotton Napkins

Cotton cloth napkins are a sustainable addition to your dining table, and they save you money in the long run as they're durable and reusable. However, all that won't matter if you don't clean them properly.

Laundering cotton napkins the wrong way may quickly weaken the fabric's integrity, and you don't want that. You also don't want to serve guests (or even yourself) with dirty linen, so we're going to show you how to wash cotton napkins and get stains out without ruining that beautiful fabric.

Well, it's quite simple. To clean cotton cloth napkins, machine-wash them with cold water on a gentle cycle, using mild detergent. Cotton is a natural fabric, so you don't need fabric softeners and harsh detergents; those materials not only hurt the fabric but also the environment. This is crucial, especially when one of your reasons for switching to cotton napkins is to reduce your carbon footprint.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Cotton Napkins

1. Wash Like Colors Together

To avoid rubbing off the colors onto other fabrics, sort your dirty napkins by color and wash separately. This depends on the dyeing method, though. If you're using plant-dyed cotton napkins, you only need to wash separately for the first few washes. After that, feel free to throw them in with other fabrics.

2. Pre-Treat Stains Quickly

As soon as a stain occurs on a cotton cloth napkin, apply a small amount of stain remover, dish soap, or baking soda and water directly onto the stain. Rub it gently (not vigorously), let it sit for 10-15 minutes, and wash normally.

Pro tip: Avoid spot-cleaning naturally-dyed fabrics such as block printed napkins. Quickly dislodging the stain with your finger and soaking the napkin in soapy water is usually enough to get stains off, and spot-cleaning can do more harm than good.

Check out how to care for naturally dyed fabrics.

3. Wash with Mild Detergent

You can wash cotton napkins by hand, but who doesn't love convenience? Cotton napkins are machine-washable; just use a gentle cycle with cool water and mild detergent. Strong chemicals can quickly ruin the fabric and color vibrance.

If your napkins are decorated with delicate embroidery or are particularly valuable to you, hand washing can put your mind at ease.

4. Avoid Fabric Softeners

Cotton napkins are known for their superior absorbency. They absorb stains and spills well, even more than linen. But fabric softeners can compromise that by coating the fibers with a waxy substance that makes the fabric feel softer but hinders it from absorbing water.

5. Air Dry Flat

Dryers are pretty handy, but this is where convenience doesn't really cut it. High heat can cause cotton to shrink and may lead to unwanted wrinkles.

The best way to preserve the quality of cotton napkins is to air dry them. Lay them flat on a clean towel or hang them on a clothesline away from direct sunlight, which can fade colors over time.

6. Iron Cloth Napkins for a Crisp Finish

To achieved that polished table appearance, iron your cotton napkins while they are slightly damp. Use a medium heat setting. If there are decorative elements you don’t want to ruin, iron on the reverse side.

Pro tip: Always check the washing instructions if any fabric napkin you buy. Remember that different brands use different dyeing and printing methods.

Dealing with Wine and Oil Stains on Cotton Napkins

Wine Stains

To remove wine stains on cotton cloth napkins, quickly blot the stain with a dry towel to absorb as much of the wine as possible. Then pour a little cold water or club soda over it and blot again. Sprinkle some baking soda or salt on the stain to absorb the wine, let it sit for 5-10 minutes, and wash as usual. If it’s a stubborn stain or the wine has dried, soak the napkin in a mix of cold water and dish washer detergent before washing.

Oil Stains

You want to be very fast when dealing with oil stains on cloth napkins. Sprinkle baking soda or talcum powder directly onto the stain to absorb the grease. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes, then gently brush off the substance. Apply a small amount of dish soap to the spot, rub it in gently, and wash with cool water. Avoid hot water as it can set the stain.

How to Store Cotton Napkins

• Keep cotton napkins in a cool, dry place so they won't grow mold or get damp.
• Don't force too many napkins into a limited space, as that will promote wrinkles. You want your napkins to come out neat and polished.
• Consider storing your cotton cloth napkins in a fabric bag. This will help keep out dust while keeping the colors vibrant than if they're exposed to sunlight.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to wash 100% cotton napkins?

Machine-wash 100% cotton napkins in cool water on a gentle cycle using mild detergent. Avoid spot cleaning, bleach, and fabric softeners to preserve the fibers and color.

How to remove old stains from napkins?

To remove old stains from napkins, soak the napkin in a vinegar-water solution for some hours, then wash as usual. For stubborn stains, apply a mild stain remover before washing.

What is the best material for washable napkins?

Cotton is one of the best materials for washable napkins. It’s soft, durable, absorbent, and easy to care for. Linen is also up there but may require more maintenance, and it's expensive.

Do cotton napkins wrinkle?

Yes, cotton napkins can wrinkle after air drying. To keep napkins clean and crisp, iron while slightly damp using medium heat.

Are linen and cotton napkins different?

Linen is usually crisper and more formal, while cotton napkins are softer and more absorbent. Both are sustainable and reusable, but linen is more expensive and high-maintenance.

If you're looking for 100% cotton napkins to glam up your dining table, you should definitely check out Ichcha. These 100% organic cotton napkins are fun, vibrant, and machine washable. Dealing with wine or oil stains? Simply rinse and soak in soapy water for some minutes, and toss in the washing machine. And your napkins are ready to go again.

Check out these beautiful napkins from Ichcha.