How to Make a Cotton (100%) Crocheted Tablecloth Stain Resistant?

There are waterproof sprays for fabric. Just check a fabric store, Walmart, Amazon ... or ask at a website for this kind of thing (knitting or crocheting or sewing - quilting). I'm sure you'd get some advice.

I used to go to a fabric store years ago, and the ladies there were a wonderful source of knowledge.

Otherwise, I'd just suggest they use it with placemats. We use cotton tablecloths and just use stain remover to get out stains. Works well. Sounds like something you'd use now and then - not for regular meals? Is it for special occasions? If used regularly - then expects some spills. It's life with four kids I'm sure. Sprays tend to come off with regular washings, so she'd have to reapply most likely.

With 4 small children she should use a cheap easily washable tablecloth and plastic placemats! She should save this crocheted tablecloth until the kids are older.

I was thinking it could be covered by a clear plastic tablecloth. Walmart sells them in various shapes and sizes or she could buy a piece of clear vinyl from Joann Fabrics.

is this a beautiful heirloom piece? if so i'd trust (or suggest) that it only be used on special occasions.

you could scotchguard it or use some other stain resistant product, but it will make it feel different. they claim it's safe, though.

a clear protector over the top could also work, i guess, although it would be kind of weird.

i'm just not sure that something handmade and delicate is a great choice for a tablecloth.

khairete
S.

The only thing I can think of is to treat it with something that's for camping gear to make it water proof - and that will help keep stains from setting into it if spills should happen.

https://kempoo.com/camp/waterproof-fabric/

When my sister and I were young - my sister to this day is a natural born spill-er - mom used plastic type table clothes that could be wiped easily.

At times like Thanksgiving the kids table was easy clean while the adults table could use the cloth tablecloth without too much danger of spills - but accidents sometimes happen no matter how well prepared you are even for adults.

Scotchguarding, maybe?

If it’s cotton I say give it to her when kids grow up a bit. If it’s something valuable and having small children usually I would not display it.
Maybe she can keep it somewhere hidden for the time being. (But I do have a 13 year old that spilled his juice on the carpet yesterday! Knowing no food or drink there!! Grr!)

I bought a tablecloth at Marshall’s for like $15 and it’s stain resistant..definitely not valuable but it does the job at the kitchen table! So not sure not to make cotton stain resistant. I think like I said while kids are little -just save it.