Looking for nice washable placemats

June 30, 2024 5:34 PM

I've been looking for placemats off and on for years, but can't find any that meet my criteria. Can you help? I'm looking for fabric (cotton or a cotton blend), a solid dark neutral color (a true navy or charcoal gray), oval or rectangular, no fringe, and most importantly -- looks decent after being washed. By decent, it's ok if it has some wrinkles, but not if it's a balled up mess. I am NOT going to iron them. Bonus points if I can buy 6 for less than $125 total. I'm in the US.

I'm surprised by how difficult this is.

posted by OrangeDisk to Home & Garden (5 answers total)

Find any local person who sews or does alterations. For that price point you can have a great selection of fabrics and it should be easily do-able; plus you're supporting a local business.
posted by mightshould at 5:55 PM on June 30 [2 favorites]

We were gifted homemade placemats that are lightly quilted. I love them as they come out of the wash unwrinkled, and they absorb small spills. If you have them made, look into double layer, batting in the middle. I wish I could buy more!
posted by Valancy Rachel at 5:23 AM on July 1 [1 favorite]

Ballard Designs
Pottery Barn
West Elm
Kohls
Amelie Michel
posted by XtineHutch at 6:08 AM on July 1

We've had some from Crate & Barrel for over 20 years! We use them regularly and wash them probably once a week. They aren't quilted, but they are a heavy cotton weave and rectangular. They tend to crease down the middle but do not wrinkle. The ones we have are a salt & pepper sort of gray, not a solid color, but they read as dark gray. No clue what styles they have currently but these things were nearly indestructible. We are just replacing them now as a few have started to fray where they crease. Still 100% usable. Cannot vouch for today's quality from C&B but the lifespan on these has been crazy. We have matching cotton napkins from them which have lasted as long. These also get used constantly and are washed once a week. Just starting to need replacing over the last few years.

We wash them in a regular washing machine and dry them in a dryer. Fold them and never ironed them ever.
posted by SoberHighland at 12:39 PM on July 1 [1 favorite]

I've bought several sets from Chilewich and really love them. They're made of what the company calls 'terrastrand'. It feels like plastic but don't let that put you off. Super stylish and durable. No need to put them in the washer. In fact, they're not supposed to go in the washer. They go in the sink with some soapy water and then air dry. I liked the placemats so much, I bought several kitchen rugs from them too.

Considering their durability, I think they're reasonably priced.
posted by MissPitts at 5:41 PM on July 1