Whether you’re opening a new café or you just want a refresh, tablecloths are something you need to consider. We’ll help you to figure out which type to go for and how to pick the best ones to suit your space.
Hospitality & Covid Measures
As cafés begin to reopen this summer, you may be putting into place a few measures to keep your customers and staff safe. Using a wipeable tablecloth is a great way to go here, as it enables you to reuse the same tablecloth without having to compromise on safety. Vinyl or oilcloth is best, as it can withstand regular disinfectant wiping without causing damage.
Oilcloth is particularly good as it is so thick. It is a hardwearing material that can withstand a lot of cleaning.
Consideration: Budget
If you have a lot of tables to cover, you might want to spend a little less per tablecloth. Oilcloth tends to be more expensive than vinyl due to the coating, so if you’re on a tighter budget, vinyl might be the way forward.
Consideration: Design
There are so many designs out there, you should be able to find one that suits your décor. Do you want to go for a shabby-chic, vintage floral look? Or are you after a traditional checked design? Maybe you want to go for something bright and vibrant. Polka dots have a nice, classic vintage feel, and you can get them in many colours.
Tablecloths can help to keep your interior design consistent throughout and can really make a difference to the feel of your interior space.
Keeping Your Tablecloth in Place
You can anchor your tablecloth in place using an object to weight it down – for example, a flowerpot, cutlery pot, or condiments. You can buy tablecloth clips, which will attach your tablecloth and stop it from shifting around, or you can use double-sided Velcro.
Consideration: Sizing
Most tablecloths can be cut down to size to fit your tables, they can even come with a hole for an outdoor umbrella! It is always better to err on the side of caution and go for a larger tablecloth if you’re not completely sure it’s going to fit, as you can cut them down to size.
What About Fabric or Disposable Tablecloths?
Right now, fabric tablecloths are not the best option. You won’t be able to wash them quickly enough to keep everyone safe as they start to visit your café again – the washing will soon pile up, so it’s far easier to go for a wipe-clean option at this point in time.
Disposable tablecloths may be tempting, as you can just bundle them up and throw them away after each customer leaves. However, this means you’re going to potentially be burning through paper tablecloths really quickly, which could work out more expensive in the long run, especially if Covid-19 is going to be with us for some time to come. You’re better off investing in good quality oilcloth or vinyl tablecloths that can withstand a lot of cleaning, you can find the best range of these tablecloths at the Tablecloth Shop.