A freshly laid table is half the fun of hosting at Christmas, and nothing spoils the look quite like a tablecloth with sharp fold lines from months in the airing cupboard. Ironing a long cloth on a standard board is awkward and slow. Steaming is easier: the fabric hangs or lies flat and the steam relaxes the fibres.
Here is how to steam a tablecloth, napkins, runners and lace, and keep them smooth until the big day.
Why steam table linen instead of ironing it?
With an iron you keep shifting the cloth along the board, and the part you have just pressed drapes onto the floor and picks up fresh creases. With a steamer the whole cloth stays in one place.
Steam is also gentler on texture. Damask patterns, waffle weaves and crinkled linen keep their surface because nothing is pressed flat against them. There is also less risk of shine marks on dark cloths.
Which tablecloths and napkins can you steam?
Most table linen is made from fabrics that respond well to steam. As a rough guide:
- Cotton and linen: ideal. Use the higher steam setting and a little patience for deep fold lines.
- Polycotton and polyester: steam well and dry quickly. Keep the head moving so the fabric does not get too warm in one spot.
- Lace and embroidered cloths: use the lower setting and hold the head slightly away from the fabric.
- Velvet runners: steam from the back so the pile is not flattened.
- Wipe-clean, PVC-coated and oilcloth tablecloths: do not steam these. Heat can soften or mark the coating. Let them relax at room temperature instead.
Always check the care label first. If you are unsure about a fabric, our guide to what fabrics can be steamed goes into more detail, and a quick test on a hem or corner is always sensible.
Before you start: wash, fill and protect
Steam refreshes and removes creases, but it will not lift old gravy or red wine marks. In fact, heat can set some stains for good, so wash any marked linen and let it dry before you steam.
Fill your steamer with the right water. Filtered, distilled or demineralised water helps prevent limescale building up, which matters in hard-water areas. Our guide on the best water to use in a clothes steamer explains why.
Finally, think about your table. Repeated steam and moisture can mark polished or waxed wood, so either steam the cloth before it goes on the table or lay a thick towel or table protector underneath it first.
How to steam a tablecloth, step by step
Method 1: hang it and steam it
This is the quickest way to get rid of fold lines on a large cloth.
- Hang the cloth. Fold it in half lengthways and drape it over a clothes rail, a sturdy shower rail or the top of a door. Make sure the bottom edge is off the floor.
- Heat up the steamer. An upright model such as the f1200 Clothes Steamer Pro is ready in about 35 seconds and has a 3-litre tank, which gives up to 100 minutes of continuous steam, more than enough for a full set of table linen.
- Work top to bottom. Hold the steam head against the fabric and move it slowly downwards in vertical strips, gently pulling the hem with your other hand to keep the cloth taut. Wear a heatproof glove for this.
- Tackle the folds. Deep creases from storage may need two or three slow passes. Pause for a second or two on the worst lines rather than going over them quickly many times.
- Turn and repeat. Shift the cloth along the rail and work on the next section until the whole cloth is smooth.
- Let it dry hanging. Leave it for 10 to 15 minutes so any dampness evaporates before you fold or lay it.
Method 2: steam it on the table
Good for touch-ups, or when you have nowhere to hang a long cloth.
- Protect the tabletop with a towel or protector, then lay the cloth in place.
- Steam the overhanging edges first, holding the head flat against the fabric and smoothing with your gloved hand as you go.
- For the top surface, hold the steam head just above the fabric and smooth creases out towards the edges with your hand.
- Let the cloth dry fully before you add plates, cutlery or candles.
If you host often or have a lot of linen, the f1600 Commercial Clothes Steamer heats up in 45 seconds, holds 4 litres of water and comes with a fabric brush and crease clamp. The optional flexible ironing board with hanger and pegs gives you a firm surface to press against, which helps with napkins and crisp edges.
Napkins, runners and placemats
Napkins are small enough to steam in batches. Peg several to a hanger, steam one side, then turn the hanger round and do the other. For a crisp fold, fold them while still slightly warm and leave them under a light book for a few minutes.
Table runners can be hung over a door like a mini tablecloth. Fabric placemats are often easiest on a flat surface: lay them on a towel, steam from just above and smooth them by hand.
For quick touch-ups once the table is laid, a handheld such as the f20 Handheld Clothes Steamer Pro with Suction is handy. It heats in about 30 seconds and its suction pulls fabric onto a 160°C plate, so you can smooth a napkin or runner without an ironing board.
Lace and delicate table linen
Heirloom lace, cutwork and fine embroidery need a lighter touch. Use the lowest steam setting, keep the head a couple of centimetres from the fabric and never pull hard on open lace, as the threads can distort. Steam from the back of embroidered areas so the stitching stays raised. For very old or fragile pieces, hang them in a steamy bathroom instead.
Keeping it smooth until Christmas Day
A few simple habits stop new creases forming:
- Steam a day or two ahead, then hang the cloth over a padded hanger or a clothes rail in a spare room.
- Roll rather than fold if you have to store it. A cardboard tube from wrapping paper works well.
- Lay the table the evening before if you can, so any small creases drop out overnight.
- Keep the steamer handy for drips and creases on the day.
The same approach works for other big pieces of fabric around the house. Our guide to steaming curtains without taking them down uses many of the same techniques.
Looking after your steamer after the big clean-up
After a busy December, empty the tank, let the head cool fully before storing, and descale it if the steam gets weaker. Our guide to cleaning and descaling a clothes steamer walks you through it. You can compare models in our range of upright clothes steamers or browse all Fridja clothes steamers.
Frequently asked questions
Can you steam a tablecloth while it is on the table?
Yes, for light creases. Put a towel or table protector under the cloth first, because steam and moisture can mark polished or waxed wood. Steam the overhanging edges with the head flat against the fabric, then hold it just above the top and smooth with your hand. Let it dry before laying the table.
How do you get fold lines out of a linen tablecloth?
Hang the cloth so it falls straight, use the highest steam setting and move slowly along each fold, gently pulling the hem to keep the fabric taut. Deep storage lines may need two or three passes. Linen holds creases stubbornly, so slow passes work better than many quick ones. Let it dry hanging.
Is it better to iron or steam table linen?
For large cloths, steaming is usually quicker and easier because the fabric stays in one place instead of shifting along an ironing board. It is also kinder to textured weaves and lace. An iron still gives the sharpest finish on napkin folds, so some people steam the cloth and press napkins.
Can you steam a plastic or wipe-clean tablecloth?
No. PVC-coated, vinyl and oilcloth tablecloths can soften, warp or mark with heat. Unroll them a day before you need them and let them relax at room temperature, or place them in a warm room. Check the care label, and only steam the fabric backing if the label clearly says that is safe.
How far ahead should I steam my Christmas tablecloth?
A day or two before is ideal. Steam it, let it dry fully, then hang it over a padded hanger or rail rather than folding it back into a drawer. Laying the table the evening before also helps small creases drop out. Keep the steamer nearby for any last-minute touch-ups on the day.