Before You Start: The Preparation Checklist
Getting the fold right begins before the first fold is made. These steps take an extra two minutes and make a significant difference to the final result.
Make Sure the Tablecloth Is Completely Dry
Even slight dampness trapped inside folds causes fabric to crease deeply as it dries in a compressed position. If your tablecloth has just come out of the washing machine, allow it to air dry fully or tumble dry on low before folding. Never fold damp.
Iron or Steam First, If There Are Already Creases
Folding a wrinkled tablecloth locks existing creases in place and adds new fold lines on top of them. A quick pass with an iron or a steamer before you fold produces a dramatically cleaner result. For linen tablecloths, iron slightly damp for the sharpest press.
Use a Large, Flat, Clean Surface
You need enough space to lay the tablecloth completely flat. A dining table, a large bed, or a clean floor all work well. If the tablecloth hangs over the edges of your surface, it creates unwanted folds before you even begin.
Have Clean, Dry Hands
Oils and moisture from hands transfer easily to fabric, particularly white and ivory tablecloths, and can cause discoloration in stored linens over time.
Method 1: Standard Fold for Drawer or Shelf Storage
This is the most practical everyday method. It produces a neat, compact rectangle suitable for storing in a drawer, on a shelf, or in a linen cupboard.
Step by Step
Step 1 — Lay flat and smooth. Lay the tablecloth completely flat on your surface, face down. Smooth it firmly from the centre outward using the flat of both hands, working out any wrinkles before the first fold.
Step 2 — Fold in half lengthwise. Bring the top long edge down to meet the bottom long edge. Align the edges as precisely as possible. Smooth the fabric again from the fold line outward toward the open edges.
Step 3 — Fold in half lengthwise again. Bring the top edge down to the bottom edge a second time. You now have a long, narrow strip approximately one-quarter of the tablecloth's original width. Smooth again from the fold to the edges.
Step 4 — Fold crosswise in half. Bring the right short end across to meet the left short end. Align the short edges evenly and smooth.
Step 5 — Continue folding crosswise as needed. Depending on the tablecloth size and available storage space, fold crosswise one or two more times. Each additional fold adds one more crease line when unfolded, so fold only as many times as the space requires.
Step 6 — Final smooth and store. Smooth all visible surfaces and place the folded tablecloth in your storage space with the folded edge facing outward. This makes it easy to identify and remove without disturbing other stored items.
Best for: All rectangular tablecloths for everyday drawer or shelf storage. Works well with cotton, linen, and cotton-linen blend tablecloths of any size.
Method 2: Fold for Hanging Storage
Hanging is the best long-term storage method for tablecloths because it eliminates the sharp crease lines that repeated folding creates. This method produces a tablecloth with a single crosswise fold suitable for hanging on a wide or padded hanger.
Step by Step
Step 1 — Lay flat and smooth. Lay the tablecloth completely flat, face down. Smooth all wrinkles thoroughly.
Step 2 — Fold in half lengthwise. Bring the top long edge to the bottom long edge. Smooth from the fold to the open edges.
Step 3 — Fold in half lengthwise again. Bring the top edge down to the bottom edge a second time, creating a long, narrow strip. Smooth thoroughly.
Step 4 — One crosswise fold only. Bring the right short end to meet the left short end — this is the final and only crosswise fold. Smooth carefully.
Step 5 — Hang at the crosswise fold. Drape the tablecloth over a wide padded hanger at the crosswise fold point. The two layers hang freely on either side of the hanger with no compressed fold lines below.
Step 6 — Cover with a breathable garment bag. Use a cotton garment bag rather than a plastic one to protect from dust while allowing air circulation.
Best for: Linen tablecloths, large cotton tablecloths, formal or special-occasion pieces stored between events, and any tablecloth that needs to arrive at a venue wrinkle-free.
Pro tip: Use a wide padded hanger rather than a thin wire one. A narrow hanger creates a deep crease at the fold point over time.
Method 3: Roll Method for Transport or Long-Term Storage
Rolling is more effective than folding for tablecloths that need to be transported to events or stored for extended periods. Rolling eliminates sharp crease lines by distributing the fabric evenly around a gentle curve rather than compressing it along a flat fold edge.
Step by Step
Step 1 — Lay flat and smooth. Lay the tablecloth completely flat on a clean surface. Smooth out all wrinkles.
Step 2 — Fold once lengthwise only. Fold the tablecloth in half along its length just once. This single fold reduces the width to a manageable rolling width without creating multiple fold lines.
Step 3 — Place a tube at one short end. Position a cardboard tube, a PVC pipe, or a fabric roll tube along the short end of the folded tablecloth. The tube should be approximately as long as the folded tablecloth is wide.
Step 4 — Roll evenly from one end to the other. Begin rolling the tablecloth firmly but smoothly around the tube, keeping the fabric taut and even as you go. Work slowly. Any looseness or bunching creates a crease in that area.
Step 5 — Secure and store. Once fully rolled, secure with soft ribbon or cotton tape at each end and the middle. Do not use tight elastic bands that can indent the fabric. Wrap in tissue paper or a clean cotton cloth before placing in a storage bag or box.
Best for: Transport to weddings and events, long-term storage of linen and embroidered tablecloths, and large banquet tablecloths where folding creates awkward crease patterns.
Step by step:
Step 1 — Lay flat and smooth. Lay the tablecloth completely flat on a clean surface and smooth out all wrinkles thoroughly.
Step 2 — Fold once lengthwise only. Fold the tablecloth in half along its length just once. This single fold reduces the width to a manageable rolling width without creating multiple fold lines.
Step 3 — Place a cardboard tube at one short end. Position a cardboard tube, a wrapping paper tube, a PVC pipe, or a fabric roll tube along the short end of the folded tablecloth. The tube should be approximately as long as the folded tablecloth is wide.
Step 4 — Roll evenly from one end to the other. Begin rolling the tablecloth firmly but smoothly around the tube, keeping the fabric taut and even as you go. Work slowly and check that the roll is staying even on both sides. Any looseness or bunching will create a crease in that area.
Step 5 — Secure and store. Once fully rolled, secure the roll with soft ribbon, cotton tape, or rubber bands placed at each end and in the middle. Do not use tight elastic bands that could indent the fabric. Wrap the roll in tissue paper or a clean cotton cloth before placing it in a storage bag or box.
Best for: Transport to events, long-term storage of linen and cotton tablecloths, and large banquet tablecloths where folding creates awkward multiple crease lines.
