Table Linen - Tablecloth Material Comparison

Cotton, Polycotton and Spun Polyester Material Comparison

There are a number of different types of linen textile used to make tablecloths. Each type of linen has different features offering different benefits and it is important to select the one that’s best for the type of use it will receive. The following descriptions will help you to decide which linen you need.

Cotton

Cotton is the most traditional material used in the creation of tablecloths. The material cotton is created from the cotton plant, which is picked and spun into yarn for weaving. The length of the raw cotton has a direct affect on the quality of the spun cotton yarns. The growing conditions along the Nile river product some of the finest raw cotton allowing longer and softer yarns to be spun. This is why Egyptian cotton has become the benchmark for high quality and is so highly sought after.

Polycotton

Polyester is a manmade textile that is very stable, reducing shrinkage, and with stain resistant properties which make it and easy to care for. The use of a polyester/cotton mix, which is popularly known as Polycotton, has therefore become widely used as it gives a good compromise between a real “cotton feel“ and the easy care features of polyester. Any instability in material causes large round tablecloths to deform and Polycotton has therefore become widely used for this type of tablecloth.

Spun Polyester

Developments in manufacturing processes have led to the creation of spun polyester which has a look and feel that is very similar to cotton. This gives an extremely good compromise as the stain removal properties of polyester are combined with the a look and feel very similar to a 100% cotton fabric. Spun polyester also has the stability of polyester which minimises shrinkage and distortion. This makes it ideal for larger tablecloths and in particular for uses such as banqueting.