You probably don’t think about your table linens very often. You pull them out for holidays, maybe a dinner party, and then toss them in the laundry basket without a second thought. But those cloth napkins and tablecloths aren’t just decorative—they’re workhorses that protect your table, set the mood for a meal, and can save you a lot of money over paper products. With a little TLC, your favorite cloth linens can stay beautiful for years, even decades. The trick is knowing a few simple care habits that don’t require special equipment or expensive cleaners.

The first step is to look at the care label, but let’s be honest: most of us lose those tiny tags after a few washes. If you can’t find the label, take a guess by the fabric. Cotton is the most forgiving and can handle warm water and a hot iron. Linen is tougher than it looks, and it actually gets softer with age if you treat it gently. Polyester blends are easy but don’t always respond well to high heat. If you have a vintage or delicate tablecloth, hand washing is your best bet. Mix a small amount of mild dish soap or a gentle laundry detergent with cool water, let it soak for ten minutes, and then swish it around without scrubbing. Rinse thoroughly and never wring or twist the fabric; instead, just press the water out between your palms.

Stains are the biggest enemy of table linens, but you can handle almost any spill if you act fast. For red wine, blot the stain immediately with a clean cloth—don’t rub, because that pushes the wine deeper into the fibers. Pour a generous amount of white vinegar over the spot, then sprinkle table salt on top. The salt draws the wine out as it dries. Let it sit for about an hour, then scrape off the salt and wash as usual. For grease or butter stains, rub a little dish soap directly into the mark and let it sit before washing. Coffee and tea are easier than you think; just pour boiling water through the stain from a height of a few inches. The force of the water will help push the color out. And for that stubborn tomato sauce or berry juice, a paste of baking soda and water works wonders. Apply it to the stain, let it dry, then brush it off before washing.

When you do wash your linens, separate them from your regular laundry. Zippers and buttons on jeans can snag the fabric, and heavy towels can grind stains in. If you use a washing machine, set it to a gentle cycle with cold or warm water, not hot. For delicate linens, put them inside a mesh laundry bag. Skip the fabric softener—it coats the fibers and makes them less absorbent, especially for napkins you’ll use on your lap. Instead, add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. It’s a natural fabric softener that also helps remove soap residue and keeps colors bright. Your kitchen will smell like salad dressing for a few minutes, but the odor disappears completely once the linens are dry.

Drying is where most people accidentally shorten the life of their tablecloths and napkins. Heat is harsh on fibers, so avoid the dryer if you can. Air drying is best. Hang your tablecloth over a shower rod or lay it flat on a drying rack. If you’re in a hurry, use the lowest heat setting on your dryer and take the linens out while they’re still slightly damp. That’s the perfect time for ironing. Ironing might feel like a chore, but it’s the secret to keeping your linens looking crisp and store-ready. Linen especially loves a hot iron with steam. If you let everything dry completely, you’ll have to spray it with water to get wrinkles out anyway. So save yourself the extra step and iron while damp.

Storage matters more than most homeowners realize. A tablecloth folded the same way every time will develop permanent creases along those fold lines. To avoid that, try folding it differently each time you put it away. Better yet, roll your tablecloths and napkins around a cardboard tube or even a clean wrapping paper tube. This prevents hard creases and also saves space in your linen drawer. Store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, which can fade colors over time. If you have silverware or serving pieces that tarnish, keep your linens away from them. The tarnish can transfer to the fabric and leave dark marks that are nearly impossible to remove.

One last thing: don’t be afraid to use your nice linens. A tablecloth that sits in a drawer for years waiting for a “special occasion” is a tablecloth that never gets to do its job. Everyday use is fine. Just give them a quick rinse after meals, and let them soak if you see a spot. The more you use and care for them, the softer, more absorbent, and more beautiful they become. And when that favorite cloth napkin finally shows its age after years of family dinners, you’ll be glad you gave it the gentle treatment it deserved.