Advies & Richtlijnen
Transparent Tablecloth
We offer two types of transparent tablecloth: the clear and the matte variant.
Important: the clear tablecloth is less suitable for tables with a glass, lacquered, high-gloss, or stone finish. This may cause pressure marks between the tablecloth and the tabletop, which will look less appealing. For these tables, we therefore recommend the matte variant.
Do you have any questions about this? Feel free to send us an email at info@protectmytable.com
Shrinkage
PVC is a material that can slightly shrink or expand after being cut. Fluctuations in ambient temperature can affect the dimensions in the first few weeks.
Unfortunately, this shrinkage is not constant, and it is impossible to determine in advance how quickly or how much a tablecloth will shrink.
For this reason, we give customers the option to add 1% free length.
Since the tablecloth can shrink for months after receipt, we highly recommend this.
From experience, we know that this margin is sufficient to compensate for potential shrinkage.
Shrinkage can occur as soon as the tablecloth is cut.
You may find that your tablecloth overhangs slightly upon delivery; this is completely normal. Most products will naturally adjust to the correct size over time.
Measuring Instructions
Tablecloths with a thickness between 0.8mm and 4mm should be ordered to the exact size of your table surface.
If you opt for the free extra margin, simply check the box and we will add it during production. We strongly recommend this option due to PVC’s tendency to shrink.
Tablecloths with a thickness between 0.1mm and 0.5mm should be ordered with an overhang.
No extra margin is added automatically. For example, if you have a table that is 2 meters long by 1 meter wide and you want an overhang of 20cm on all sides, choose a tablecloth of 2.4 meters long and 1.4 meters wide.
All our tablecloths are machine-cut with extreme precision.
Cleaning
You can clean the tablecloth with common cleaning products such as dish soap and glass cleaner.
Printed materials, brightly colored spices, tomato sauce, ink, flowers… always try to wipe these off immediately if spilled. The dyes can seep into the PVC tablecloth and then can no longer be removed.
Stubborn stains can be treated with acetone-free nail polish remover.
Unfortunately, signs of use are inevitable, especially with daily use of the tablecloth. You can use a little sunflower oil to mask these marks and restore the tablecloth’s shine.
Hot and Heavy Objects
It is recommended to always use a coaster for hot items. Since PVC reacts to heat, permanent rings can appear. Even a cup of tea or a plate of hot food can cause these marks.
The thinner the tablecloth, the faster a ring can form.
If you plan to place heavy objects, such as a vase with flowers or a dish with candles, on the table or leave them there for a long time, it is advisable to always use a coaster.
Odor
A new PVC tablecloth is not odorless. The plastic smell will diminish after a few weeks. Think of it like a new car – the smell of new plastic fades over time.
The more you use it and live with it, the faster the odor will disappear.
Outdoor Use
The tablecloth is less suitable for permanent outdoor use.
Make sure it is regularly aired out, as moisture between the tablecloth and the table can shorten its lifespan. Direct exposure to heat and sunlight can also affect it.
PVC is a material that can react to heat and temperature fluctuations. Shrinkage can be more pronounced when exposed to warm temperatures.
It’s fine to use the tablecloth for a special occasion outdoors, but we advise against leaving it outside permanently.
It is best to store it indoors after use.
Discoloration
The tablecloths do not discolor.
However, exposure to direct UV light can over time affect the color and shorten the lifespan of your tablecloth.
Coated Tablecloth
This tablecloth is coated with a water-repellent layer and a special stainless treatment. To prevent permanent stains, it is important to immediately clean up spilled brightly colored liquids such as red wine, tomato sauce, or curry.
The tablecloth is easy to clean with a sponge. Although it is washable in the washing machine, we do not recommend this as it may shrink and wrinkle. The tablecloth can be ironed on the reverse side.
Custom-made: Your tablecloth is cut to size according to the exact dimensions you specify on our webshop. No extra margin or overhang is included. For example, if you have a table that is 2 meters long and 1 meter wide and you want an overhang of 20 cm on all sides, select a tablecloth of 2.4 meters long and 1.4 meters wide. All our tablecloths are machine-cut with extreme precision.