Crafters and those with children often know that to keep furniture clean, a plastic tablecloth should be put on the table before playtime. This extra layer keeps paint, clay, and other materials off the table. Craft people can also get great value out of their table covers. However, a plastic tablecloth is often difficult to fold and put away because it takes up a lot of space and does not fold so easily. For those looking for a better solution, there is oilcloth.
Oilcloth is just as waterproof and mess-proof as a PVC tablecloth, but it is easier to fold and stow away. Read in this article why you should choose oilcloths.
What Is Oilcloth?
Oilcloth is a material or fabric, often made of woven cotton, that is finished with a special coating to make it waterproof. Traditionally, the coating was linseed oil, but it is more common to find oilcloth with a PVC coating nowadays. Oilcloth is used as a reusable food wrap but is also used to cover a table.
The waterproof layer of oilcloth makes it perfect to prevent food or drink stains and is easily wiped down and cleaned. Because oilcloth has grown so much in popularity over the last years, shops have started to offer many designs and sizes. Oilcloth can be easily purchased online through the Wachstuchshop24 web shop, for example.
What Is the Difference Between PVC and Oilcloth?
Oilcloth is often confused with PVC cloth. PVC cloth is a tablecloth made completely out of plastic (vinyl). It is often transparent and more rigid than an oilcloth. Unlike oilcloth, it does not have a waterproof coating but is already waterproof because of the material.
PVC is harder to fold because of its plastic nature. Oilcloth is made with 100% woven cotton. To make this cloth waterproof and easy to wipe down it is coated with polyvinyl chloride. The coating is soft, making the oilcloth more malleable and easier to fold and put away.
You can tell the difference between oilcloth and PVC cloth by looking at the bottom of the fabrics. Oilcloths will show a clear woven pattern whereas PVC is completely made from plastic and does not have a pattern.
Which Kind of Table Protector Should I Buy?
Oilcloth is great for those looking to protect their table. It is 100% waterproof and easy to wipe clean with just a damp cloth and some soap. Oilcloth is available for purchase in many different designs. You don’t have to be worried that an ugly tablecloth design or color will mess with your interior design. There are hundreds of different designs to choose from, including one basic color, minimalist prints, or colorful kids’ designs.
The biggest advantage of an oilcloth is that it is a much more natural cloth that drapes perfectly over your table. PVC is very stiff and hard to fold or drape but oilcloth is malleable and will drape over the corners of your table just fine. The strong woven cotton will last much longer than plastic, which can damage easily by sharp objects and tear apart. PVC cloth is made with vinyl and does not have a special layer. This means that the design of PVC cloth is not protected and will fade with time.
If you are currently using a regular woven tablecloth, you might want to switch to an oilcloth as well. Oilcloth is. as already mentioned, so easily wiped down that it does not need to be laundered. Simply take a damp cloth and wipe off any food or drink spills. This makes the oilcloth a very low-maintenance material.
