Caring for Block Print and Canvas Table Linen

Not everything on the table is pure linen, and the pieces that aren't want a gentler first few washes, not a harder one.

If what's in your basket is pure linen from Volga or Summerill & Bishop, we've already written that guide. This one's for the rest of the table.

Made in Tangier pieces are handwoven in pure cotton by Pin's team in Tangier, and about as easy as table linen gets: a cold machine wash, by the maker's own instructions. Line dry if you can, and iron on the reverse if you want it crisp. Explore Made in Tangier →

Our block print linen, is 100% cotton, hand block-printed by artisans in Jaipur using wooden blocks carved for the pattern, a technique passed down through generations. That means each piece wants more patience for its first two or three washes than the machine-woven pieces do. Hand wash or a gentle machine wash cycle in cold water with a mild detergent, don't soak it and don't wring it, just rinse and squeeze gently. Dry it in the shade, direct sun fades a hand block print faster than washing ever will. Iron on the reverse on a low-to-medium heat. Expect a little softening of colour in those early washes, that's the hand-dyed cloth settling, not a fault. Explore our block print table linen →

Our canvas print tablecloths, the Mallorcan Ikat, Gingham and Madagascar prints, are a more durable 50/50 poly-cotton canvas, printed rather than hand-blocked. The poly content is exactly what makes these the easy option, wash on a gentle cold-to-warm machine wash and line dry in the shade. Skip the bleach and anything with optical brighteners, both will dull the print over time. Explore our canvas print tablecloths →

And if you're still working out what size you need before any of this matters, start there.