Table of Contents
- How To Clean Placemats?
- What do we mean by placements?
- 13 Effective ways to clean placements
- 1. Brush method
- When not to brush?
- 2. Vinegar method
- When not to use vinegar?
- 3. Lemon water method
- When not to use lemon?
- 4. Ammonia method
- When not to use ammonia?
- 5. Toothpaste method
- When not to use toothpaste?
- 6. Salt method
- When not to use salt?
- 7. Mayonnaise method
- 8. Ammonia, vinegar, dishwashing liquid method
- 9. Baking soda method
- When not to use baking soda?
- 10. Beer method
- When not to use beer?
- 11. Hydrogen peroxide method
- When not to use hydrogen peroxide?
- 12. Toothbrush, toothpaste, and cucumber method
- When not to use this?
- 13. Employ a professional cleaner
- How can I make a placement at home?
- How to prevent placements from getting dirty?
- Frequently Asked Questions
How To Clean Placemats?
How many times have you had guests over for dinner and realized that your placemats are stained? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there!
How To Clean Placemats? Although there is no simple answer to this question as placements vary in material, usually people either use a brush or vinegar, lemon water to clean the spots.
In this blog post, we’ll teach you how to clean placemats using a few simple steps. So, whether your placemats are made from fabric or vinyl, don’t fret – we’ve got you covered!
Let’s begin!
What do we mean by placements?
Placemats can be made from many different materials, however, the most common users are Fabric and Vinyl.
First placements were invented by ancient civilizations, in which they used materials such as leaves, flowers, and grass to cover pieces of stone or tree bark.
Placements have got hype in the last century when different companies started to produce them in the form of vinyl, which was later replaced by cotton fabrics.
Nowadays, placemats are usually used for formal or special occasions, such as dinner parties and family gatherings.
The most common placements are Fabric and Vinyl, although wool placements are also used for special cases.
13 Effective ways to clean placements
Placements can be clean in a number of ways. Some people prefer one method over another because of the material or fabric of their placements.
Let’s discuss them all!
1. Brush method
You can simply brush your kitchen placements on a daily basis so that no debris or dust accumulates in them. For this purpose use a soft bristle brush.
When not to brush?
There are certain materials or fabrics for which brushing can be harmful. These include velvet, silk, and wool placements.
2. Vinegar method
Add vinegar to warm water in a bowl and soak the placements for about 30 minutes. Afterward, clean them with a brush or soft cloth.
When not to use vinegar?
Beware of using too much vinegar or only vinegar. Besides, vinegar can harm certain materials for instance silk.
3. Lemon water method
Mix a little lemon juice with warm water and soak your placemats in it. Follow by scrubbing the stains away using a brush, sponge, or cloth.
When not to use lemon?
Just like vinegar, overuse of lemons can be harmful to silk and wool placements. Lemon has acid which can either remove the stain completely or leave the sensitive fabric damaged. Hence, it is advised that you test this method before carrying it out.
4. Ammonia method
Mix warm water, detergent, ammonia, and dishwashing liquid in a bowl. Soak the placements for about 30 minutes or so after which you can clean them with either a brush or cloth.
When not to use ammonia?
Ammonia can remove the colors and fabric of your placements, thus testing this method is always a good idea.
5. Toothpaste method
Apply some toothpaste on the stains and rub them gently using a soft sponge until they fade away. Don’t forget to clean it off afterward with warm water and soap to leave no residue behind.
When not to use toothpaste?
Be aware that you should not use this method on velvet placements. Toothpaste can make the stains deeper and more visible, which may ruin your placemats entirely.
6. Salt method
In a bowl, add water to about 2 tbsp of salt and mix them neatly. Soak your placements in it for 30 minutes or so, and then scrub the stains out with a soft brush.
When not to use salt?
Do not use this method on silk or wool placements as it can do more harm than good. Salt will also damage your placemats, so be careful while using this method.
7. Mayonnaise method
For this particular way, you will require 1 egg yolk, ½ tablespoon of water, and 1 tbsp of mayonnaise. Mix these ingredients in a bowl and let your placements soak in it for about 30 minutes or so.
Mayonnaise is slightly acidic which will help lift the stains without much effort on your part. Once done, wash them with warm water and soap.
8. Ammonia, vinegar, dishwashing liquid method
Mix half tsp of ammonia with 2 tbsp of vinegar and ½ tsp of dishwashing liquid in a bowl filled with warm water. Soak the placements for about 20 minutes or so before scrubbing out the stains. This combination is so powerful that it will remove the hardest of the stains.
9. Baking soda method
This is a particularly safe way to clean placements since baking soda does not harm the fabric or material of your placemats, nor does it fade out colors. Make a thick paste with baking soda and water and apply to the stains of your choice. Let it rest for about 15 minutes before rinsing.
When not to use baking soda?
Just like other methods, this one is not suitable for all fabrics. In the case of wool and silk, you should be careful while using this method because baking soda can do more damage than good.
10. Beer method
Beer has a mild acidic nature which will remove most stains with ease. Mix a cup of beer with water in a bowl and soak your placements in it. (tip: add salt to the mixture) Let it rest for about 30 minutes and then rinse with warm water.
When not to use beer?
Although beer can help remove stains, it can also damage your placements and the fabric. Hence, do not use this method on expensive fabrics such as silk or wool. Also, you should test it out on a hidden corner of the placements first.
11. Hydrogen peroxide method
Mix equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and water in a bowl. Soak your placements for about 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water.
When not to use hydrogen peroxide?
Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing agent which can cause damage to certain fabrics. If you are not sure, test this method on a hidden corner of the placements before using it.
12. Toothbrush, toothpaste, and cucumber method
This is a great way to get rid of stubborn stains like wine or coffee in no time. Just rub a piece of cucumber on the stain followed by applying toothpaste. Rinse with warm water and brush the stain out until it fades away.
When not to use this?
Cucumber is used to remove stains from cooking appliances, but you can also use it for placements. Just make sure that the surface is not delicate and you don’t stick to just cucumber – try adding a little bit of salt or baking soda for an even better result.
13. Employ a professional cleaner
Sometimes, you need professional help to remove stains from your placements that are old or very deep-rooted. If this is the case, don’t hesitate to take your precious items to a trusted dry cleaner for assistance.
This method has no risks of course. But if you still think that you can handle it on your own, please don’t hesitate to try the above methods.
How can I make a placement at home?
In case you are worried about not having enough money to buy expensive kitchen placements from the market, this blog post is there to help you.
Following are some super easy and inexpensive ways to make DIY placements for your kitchen use:
Using old newspaper
You can make placements from old newspapers. Believe it or not, this is going to be the most trendy placement you can have on your table.
Just cut out the size that you need and paste them on cardboard or plywood using rubber cement. Let it dry for about an hour and then, hold the placements in a bucket of water for a few minutes to let them soak up water.
Assemble one part of PVC pipes to make a circle with the help of screws. Insert the placements inside it and there you have it – your own DIY placemat that is not only stylish but also cost-effective!
Using napkins or handkerchiefs
If you can’t afford an expensive kitchen appliance for one good reason or another, just visit your local store and buy a box of napkins or handkerchiefs. Just fold them in half to make placements and you are good to go!
Or, if you have the time and patience, just visit your local stores and find a basketful of old clothes. Cut out small square pieces from these clothes and stitch them together to make “napkins”.
Using linen fabric
This is another super-easy way to make placements for your kitchen.
Step 1:
Just measure the size of your table and buy a linen fabric, which is wide enough to cover the whole surface.
Step 2:
Stitch three sides of the fabric into a circle after folding it in half.
Step 3:
Insert the placements inside this linen fabric circle and your DIY placement is finally ready.
Using sealant tape
It’s really easy to make placements with just a roll of duct tape or sealant tape.
Just cut out small pieces from the roll in the shape of a square, circle, or rectangle. Stick them together until you have a nice placemat for your table.
Using a small piece of wood
This is another simple and easy idea to make a DIY placement. Cut out a square from old, but sturdy corrugated cardboards or from plywood kept in the garage or basement for this purpose.
Just attach some figures to it with the help of a pencil and ruler.
Paint your placements using bright, interesting colors. Depending on your creativity, this simple idea can turn out to be an extremely cool product for your kitchen.
How to prevent placements from getting dirty?
If you want to keep your placements clean and tidy for a longer period of time, read the following tips:
Use only natural fabrics
Use placements made from natural fabrics such as cotton or linen. These materials are very easy on your skin and can be washed easily in case they get dirty.
Use placements with a trivet, such as those made from rubberized cloth or plastic
These types of placements are very durable and can be washed easily. They also provide enough cushioning to prevent injuries on the table caused by slippery plates and hot dishes.
Clean them daily
The key to a clean home is cleaning everything every day. So, after you use your placements, don’t forget to clean them and keep them in a dry place so that they don’t get musty or moldy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a placement cost?
The cost of placement varies according to the materials used for making it. Placements made using wood or cardboard are cheaper but not as stylish as those made from PVC pipes, linen fabrics, etc. On average, a large placement costs somewhere around 20$.
What is placements’ durability?
It depends on the material used in its making. Plastic placements are quite durable and last longer than the ones made from rubberized cloth or linen fabrics.
Can I clean my placements with a washing machine?
You can but you have to be very careful when doing so. Most types of placements cannot bear high temperatures so you have to wash them in cold water only. Also, read the label written on your product before cleaning it.
How do I keep my placements like new ones?
You can make your placements look new and fresh by simply wiping them using a damp cloth. In case they get dirty, you can wash them with cold water only. Make sure not to use hot water as it may cause distortions or damages to the material used in their making.
How often should I clean kitchen placements?
It depends. If you use placements made using natural materials, you can clean them daily as they are not very dirty. However, if your placements are made from synthetic materials or rubberized fabric, then cleaning them once a week should be enough to keep them nice and neat throughout the year.
Another factor is the number of people using them.
Wrapping up!
To wrap it up, kitchen placements can be a real-life saver when you’re in a hurry or just don’t want to use an ordinary tablecloth. They are easily available online and at home decorating stores.
They come in different sizes, shapes, colors, prices, etc so choose one according to your preferences. Keep them clean by of the above-mentioned methods and you are all good to go!
