Can oilcloth be washed in a washing machine?

Can oilcloth be washed in a washing machine? Oilcloth tablecloths are available in almost every family. Not a single picnic is complete without a waterproof canvas; oilcloth is also indispensable for decorating tables at holiday celebrations. Usually, after use, the tablecloth can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth, but in some cases it is not possible to get rid of stains so easily. Some housewives are wondering whether it is permissible to wash oilcloth in a washing machine? Let's try to answer this question.

Does oilcloth need automatic washing?

Is it possible to load oilcloth products into the machine? This question is asked by housewives who want to wash an oilcloth curtain that has been hanging in the bathroom for a long time, or an oilcloth tablecloth that has been stained after another feast. Automatic washing can damage the product and ruin its appearance. It is not recommended to put oilcloth in an automatic washing machine for the following reasons:

there are many options for cleaning oilcloth products that are faster, gentler and more effective;
With prolonged interaction of the fabric with hot water and chemicals, creases and cracks may appear on the material. The oilcloth will lose its original appearance and can no longer be used for its intended purpose;
Multi-layer tablecloths will definitely get ruined after automatic washing.

So is it possible to wash oilcloth in an automatic machine? We recommend not to experiment and choose a more gentle cleaning method. It is better to wash oilcloth products from heavy dirt manually, following the recommendations listed below.

Manual cleaning of oilcloth

So, we have proven that it is advisable not to wash oilcloth in the washing machine.Manual cleaning will be more effective. Let's figure out how to do it right.

It is recommended to clean oilcloth products at least once a month, since old dirt is much more difficult to get rid of.

First of all, inspect the oilcloth tablecloth for grease and oil stains, and the curtain for traces of mold and mildew. Having discovered this kind of contamination, it is necessary to treat these areas with a lemon-soda solution (mix freshly squeezed juice from half a lemon with 2 tablespoons of baking soda) or hydrogen peroxide. It is also permissible to generously coat soiled areas with laundry soap. clean the oilcloth with lemon or citric acid pulp

Leave the product for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with warm water. At what temperature should I clean my item? It is better to wash the canvas with water heated to 30-40 °C. If you can’t get rid of mold, you need to use a special compound to remove it. To clean oilcloth products, you cannot use products containing chlorine; they can negatively affect the appearance of the item and ruin the design.

You can also deal with old stains using a thick mixture of citric acid. The paste is applied to the contaminated area and left there for half an hour. Afterwards, wash the oilcloth with water. Then you need to mix water and milk and treat the surface to be cleaned again.

To add shine, the canvas can be treated with ordinary turpentine. You need to dilute 1/4 paraffin in a glass of turpentine. You need to moisten a soft cloth in the resulting solution, wipe the oilcloth with it and, without rinsing, leave for one day. After a specified time, the surface is wiped with a flannel or woolen cloth. This procedure will help clean and shine things.

There are several ways to remove dirt from an oilcloth tablecloth or bathroom curtain. By choosing any of the options, you will not risk the product, but will ensure reliable and effective cleaning of the item.