Construction: Most institutional table linens are constructed of woven fabrics with variations in the fibers, yarns or weave type
to create casual, contemporary or a formal appearance. Woven table coverings include the simple interlacing of yarns to create a
mornie cloth to the elaborate interlacing patterns of the jacquard loom used to create the distinctive surfaces of damask. In
general the more complicated the weave the more expensive the product.
• Plain, Twill or Satin -the three basic types of woven fabrics are used to create a variety of table linens. These weave types
may be used alone or in combination with one another to produce a various styles and designs of table coverings.
• Momie -any fabric made by the crepe or granite weave, which produces a small, irregular, pebble character on the fabric
surface. Momie cloth is a classic fabric used for table linens in the hospitality industry .The surface effects of the crepe
weave adds to the aesthetic appeal while creating a durable and serviceable product.
• Damask -one of the oldest and most popular table cloths. Damask was originally a silk fabric with woven floral designs made
in China and introduced into Europe through Damascus, from which it derived its name. Table damask is a lustrous Jacquard
woven fabric with an elaborate floral or a geometric pattern formed by warp satin weave floats over a background of filling
satin weave. The pattern is distinguished from the ground by contrasting floats at right angles to each other which reflect
light differently and add luster . Damask table linens cost more than the other weave types due to the complexity of the
construction of the fabric. But the aesthetic appeal of damask table linens can far outweigh the added cost.
Edge Finishes: Manufacturers employ various techniques to finish the raw edges of the fabric when constructing table
linens. Fabric edges may be finished with a small hem, binding, or with machine serging. Regardless of the type of edge
finish one should evaluate the stitch length and closeness of the stitch. Poor quality edge finishing may cause the product to
be removed from service prematurely as the fabric edge will be the first area to show wear .
Finishes for Table Linens: Treatments applied to table linens include color, soil release, anti-microbial and mercerization.
Of these treatments, color has by far the greatest aesthetic appeal but soil release finishes may be the most beneficial to the
laundry manager.
• Color- All white table linens are easier to mix and match and during processing it may be easier to remove spots and stains,
especially when the product can be bleached. Although the majority of institutional table linens are white, they can be dyed in
a wide range of colors. Colored products, especially all cotton, may create a problem due to poor colorfastness. Vat dyed
products have been shown to reduce color fading. Vat dyes are a group of dyes that can be used to produce bright colors in
cotton textiles with a high degree of wash-fastness.
• Soil Release -The most common finish applied to institutional table linens is a soil release compound, especially all polyester
and cotton/ polyester blend. These finishes are designed to enhance the release of stains during the laundry process but
they do not prevent stains from happening. Soil release compounds increase the hydrophilic nature of fibers, so the water
can more readily carry the detergent molecules into fiber crevices to emulsify and remove the soil. Soil release finishes can
also help prevent re-deposition of soils during the washing process.
The soil release finishes were developed to improve the performance of soil removal from polyester fabrics. Two of the most
common trade names for soil release finishes are Visa and Scotchgard.
Starch in itself acts like a soil release finish for cotton and cotton/polyester table lines. Starch is a water soluble compound
and during the washing process the surface soils tend to wash away as the starch is removed.
• Anti-microbial -a chemical treatment that prevents the growth of bacteria or molds. This could be advantageous in linens that
are stored prior to washing especially if the fiber content contains cotton. Cotton is much more susceptible to mildew than
polyester but heavily soiled linens can mold or mildew regardless of the fiber content.
• Mercerized (ing) -a strong alkali (sodium hydroxide) treatment of cotton. The process causes a permanent swelling
of the fiber, thereby increasing its luster, strength and affinity for dyes. Mercerizing enables the textile industry to
provide brightly colored table linens to the hospitality industry.
Selection & Sources for Table Linens: The selection of the product will depend on the institution but, in general, product
selection of table linens is done by the food and beverage department and the laundry manager mayor may not be involved. The
typical selection is based on how it will look on the table but ideally the laundry manager should be involved and have input in to
how the product will perform. This is crucial to the long term use and care of table linens. If management expects the original
appearance of the product to be maintained over the expected life span of the product then selection should be a team effort.
The assortment of products produced for use on table-tops includes tablecloths, runners, place mats, napkins, silencers and
skirts. Most of these items are available in square, round, oval and rectangular shapes and in various sizes.