How to Clean Place Mats

Co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Last Updated: February 5, 2020 References

Placemats can add style and color to your dining table. You might notice your placemats are getting dirty from use, especially if you use them for many of your meals. Placemats made of vinyl or plastic will need to be cleaned differently than placemats made of fabric or cloth. You may also have placemats made of other materials like bamboo, wicker, or cork, which will need to be cleaned with care. No matter the material, placemats are usually easy to maintain, leaving you with sparkling clean placemats for your next meal.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning Vinyl and Plastic Placemats

1
Wipe the placemats with a wet cloth. Placemats made of vinyl and plastic are relatively easy to keep clean. Use a damp clean cloth to wipe down the placemats. Do the front and back of the placemats to make sure you remove all surface dirt and debris.^{[1]
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- Wiping vinyl and plastic placemats on a regular basis can keep them clean, especially if you use them often for your meals.
2
Scrub the placemats with a sponge. To do a deep clean on the placemats, scrub them with a mixture of soap and warm water. Put a few drops of soap on a wet sponge. Then, use the sponge to scrub the placemats. Focus on any spots that have stains or food on them. Scrub in gentle, round motions to remove dirt and debris.^{[2]
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- Do not scrub the placemats hard or rub any areas for a long period of time. This can end up damaging the placemats.
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3
Soak the placemats in water and soap. If there are stubborn stains or pieces of food on the placemats, try soaking them in a mixture of warm water and dish soap. Fill your sink with warm water and add a few drops of soap. Then, put the placemats in the water to soak for 1 to 2 minutes.^{[3]
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- Once the placemats have been soaked, take them out and use a sponge or cloth to wipe them off. Stains and pieces of food should be easier to remove once the placemats have been soaked.
4
Use a mild cleaner on the placemats. Vinyl and plastic placements can usually handle a mild cleaner. Use a mild kitchen spray or a mild all-purpose house cleaner on the placemats. Apply the cleaner and wipe the mats down with a damp cloth or sponge.^{[4]
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- Make sure you use cleaner that does not contain any harmful chemicals or additives, as you do not want any of these substances to get from the mat to your food. Go for a cleaner that is safe for use in kitchens and in your home.
5
Let the placemats dry overnight. Once you have cleaned the vinyl or plastic placemats, put them in a dish rack to dry overnight. You can also place them on a clean towel to dry, laying them side by side.
- Do not stack them on top of one another to dry, as the water may get trapped between the placemats.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Washing Fabric Placemats

1
Remove any stains or spots immediately. If you have fabric placemats, do not let any stains or spots sit on the fabric for very long. Remove stains right away, as the longer they sit on the placemats, the more difficult it will be to get them out. Foods that tend to stain fabric, like tomato, mustard, and coffee, should be removed right away if they get on the placemats.^{[5]
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- You may keep 2 sets of placemats, 1 made of vinyl or plastic and 1 made of fabric. Use the fabric placemats for special occasions, as they will be more difficult to clean if they get dirty.
2
Spot clean the placemats with soap and water. Use a clean cloth or a sponge that has been dampened with soap and water. Dab any stains or spots on the mat until they come out. Do not scrub or rub the mats, as this can damage the fabric.^{[6]
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- Once you have spot cleaned the placemats, let them air dry flat on a clean towel. You can also hang them on a clothesline to dry.
3
Use a fabric-safe cleaner on the placemats. For stubborn stains, try a cleaner that is safe for use on fabric, such as an all-natural cleaner or liquid detergent. Make sure the cleaner does not contain harmful chemicals like bleach or ammonia. Apply a small amount of the cleaner to the mats with a damp cloth or sponge.^{[7]
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- Let the placemats air dry once you have cleaned them. Make sure all the cleaner is removed from the placemats before you let them air dry.
4
Put the placemats in the washer if it's safe to do so. Check that the fabric placemats are washing machine safe before you put them in your washer. Most fabric placemats can go in the washing machine. Once you have washed the placemats, let them air dry. Air drying them will ensure they do not get damaged by the high heat of the dryer.
- Do not wash towels or clothing with the placemats, as this can lead to pilling. Wash only the placemats and other fabric items like table runners or table cloths together.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Sanitizing Placemats Made of Bamboo, Wicker, and Cork

1
Wipe bamboo and wicker placemats with soap and water. Dampen a clean cloth or a sponge with warm water and add 1 to 2 drops of mild dish soap. Then, gently wipe the placemats with the cloth to remove any dirt or food residue. Rinse the placements with water once you are done cleaning them and let them air dry.^{[8]
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- Do not rub or scrub the placemats, as this can damage the bamboo or wicker. Gentle wiping is best for these types of placemats.
2
Use white vinegar on cork placemats. If you have placemats made of cork, white vinegar is a good cleaning agent. Mix 1 part white vinegar with 1 part water. Then, dampen a clean cloth with the solution and wipe down the cork placemats. You can also put the solution in a spray bottle and apply it to the placemats in a few sprays.^{[9]
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- Cork can mold if water is left sitting on it. To avoid this, use a clean cloth to absorb any water remaining on the cork once you clean it. Press the cork dry using the cloth. Then, let it air dry overnight.^{[10]
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- You can also use sandpaper to gently buff out marks or stains on your cork placemats.
3
Do not put bamboo, wicker, or cork placemats in the washer. These materials do not hold up well in the washing machine or the dryer. Use clean cloths and sponges to clean these types of placemats. They do best with a gentle hand cleaning once a week.^{[11]
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Expert Q&A
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Question

How do I get the smell out of straw placemats?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Start by giving the placemats a solid cleaning using warm water and dish soap. Thoroughly rinse the placemats, and let them air dry.
Question

What can I use to clean my beaded placemats?

Debra Higgson

Community Answer

It depends on the material underneath the beads (vinyl, wood, plastic, etc.). However, in most cases, you can use warm water with several drops of dish soap to wipe the mats.