Cloth Napkin Laundering Protocol

Yes, this is a real question that someone actually asked me

Dear Bex,

I recently inherited some cloth napkins from an elderly relative. I was thrilled to be able to use them for entertaining over the holidays. Now I face a choice: dry clean or washing machine? Challenged, Linnton Or.

Dear Challenged,

How lovely to be able to indulge in old-school dining standards. Did you use napkin rings too? Today’s paper napkins seems so, errrr……disposable. Anyway, I recommend a cold wash in your washing machine and line dry. Its really not worth dry cleaning. If you’re nervous, just do one to start with. I bet you inherited dozens. I do, on the other hand recommend dry cleaning for “real” table cloths. They’re typically covered in hard-to-clean detritus.

You’re welcome.