Identifying the Stain

• The first step is to examine the stain closely. If food residue is present, you can attempt to determine the type of food it is. If the stain is dark brown, it may be blood. Light orange or deep yellow stains frequently are rust or stains made during storage by insects or mildew. If you can determine the source of the stain, consult the Martha Stewart cleaning chart (listed under Resources) for treatment alternatives.
  
  

Identifying the Fabric

• Cotton and linen are common tablecloth fabrics, and these are often easier to clean with traditional cleaners than newer fabrics that include a percentage of synthetic fibers, such as polyester. Antique natural fibers must be treated gently, since they may have weakened over time. Synthetic fabrics are able to withstand a lightly rougher handling.
  
  

Begin Gently

• First treat the stain using the least invasive technique if the source of the stain is unknown. The first step is to scrape off any food and clean the tablecloth by hand, washing it in a mild detergent such as Ivory Liquid or Castile Dri-Pak Soap Flakes. Lightly agitate the tablecloth, never rubbing roughly or wringing the cloth, and then allow the cloth to air-dry and check the stain. It is important not to dry the item in an electric or gas dryer, as this will set the stain. If the washing shows some results, repeat the process, again air-drying the cloth.
  
  

Sterner Measures

• If the spot is still visible after the cloth has air-dried, isolate it and soak it in a white vinegar bath. If the tablecloth is white, without any print, you may soak the entire cloth. To prepare the bath, add 1 tbsp. vinegar to a quart of warm water and stir the mixture. Lift the cloth and place it back into the bath approximately every 10 minutes. After soaking for an hour, examine the stain. Since vinegar weakens threads, a shorter bath has less chance of damaging the tablecloth.
  
  

When All Else Fails

• If the spot is still visible after air-drying, it is time for the most invasive technique. This method, not appropriate if the stain is located on a printed or colored cloth, is only useful for a white tablecloth background. Mix a quart of warm water with 1 tbsp. lemon juice or bleach. Try Clorox 2 or OxiClean first. If these are not effective, try Rit Dye Powder White Wash or Tintex Whitener Brightener. After filling an eyedropper with the liquid, isolate the stain. With care, place the stained part of the tablecloth over a stretcher (sewing embroidery hoops work well for this). Place a clean cloth under the stain and use a dropper to put one drop of bleach water on the stain. Blot the stain with another clean cloth, taking care not to touch any other part of the tablecloth with the blotting cloth or dropper. Then, expose the stain, and only the stain, to the sun. If the sun is intense, check every 15 to 30 minutes to see how the bleaching process is progressing. The sun also damages fibers, so it is important to limit exposure to the minimum time required to bleach the stain.