Frequently Asked Questions

A tablecloth should hang at least 20 cm over each side of the table. For larger tables, an overhang of 25 to 30 cm is recommended to achieve balanced proportions. Always add an extra allowance for expected fabric shrinkage to ensure a proper fit after washing.

How big should a tablecloth be?

How to choose the right tablecloth size. The easiest way to find the right size is by using Cottona’s tablecloth size calculator. Choose your fabric, enter your table dimensions, and get an instant recommendation, including overhang and shrinkage allowance.

Prefer to calculate it yourself? Keep the following in mind:

1. Measure your tabletop
Measure the length and width (or diameter). For oval tables, measure the longest and shortest axis.

2. Choose the right overhang
The overhang determines the look of your table setting.
Our advice:
Minimum: 20 cm on each side
Generous (for larger tables): 25–30 cm
Tip: The larger the table, the more important a generous overhang becomes for balanced proportions.

3. Account for shrinkage
All fabrics shrink slightly when washed. Our calculator includes this automatically. Prefer to do the math yourself? Check the shrinkage percentage in the product specs and add that to your measurement.

4. Chairs with armrests?
Some people opt for a short overhang (5–10 cm) to avoid the cloth touching the armrests, but that’s not a good idea.

Why not? A short overhang disrupts proportions and looks unfinished. Even with armrests, a 20–30 cm overhang is the right aesthetic choice. Let the cloth rest on the armrests, it's perfectly normal and adds to a well-dressed table.

Why use the Cottona tablecloth calculator:

✔ Personalised advice
✔ Includes overhang + shrinkage correction
✔ Adjustable to your preferences
✔ Order with confidence, no guesswork

A tablecloth should hang at least 20 cm over each side of the table. For larger tables, an overhang of 25 to 30 cm is recommended. A generous overhang creates balanced proportions and a polished look. Don’t forget to account for shrinkage: always add a little extra to your measurements.

What is a good tablecloth overhang?

The overhang, the part of the cloth that drapes over the table edge, is key to the visual balance of your table setting. The right length brings harmony and elegance to the table.

General advice:
Minimum overhang: 20 cm on each side
Generous overhang (for larger tables): 25–30 cm

Note: The larger the table, the more important a generous overhang becomes for a well-proportioned look.

What if your chairs have armrests?
Some people think a short overhang (5–10 cm) is better to avoid touching the armrests. That’s a misconception. A short drop looks incomplete and disrupts the visual balance. Even with armrests, a 20–30 cm overhang is still the right choice. Let the cloth rest on the armrests, it’s both normal and stylish.

Let the Cottona size calculator do the work.
No need for tape measures or guesswork. The Cottona tablecloth calculator gives you the ideal size, including overhang and shrinkage correction, so you can order the perfect fit with total confidence.

Let the wax harden completely. Then gently scrape it off, and use a warm iron and kitchen paper to lift out the remaining residue. This DIY method is safe and effective for most fabrics. For delicate fabrics, always test first on an inconspicuous area.

Wax on your tablecloth? Here's how to remove it

A beautifully set table, candlelight… and then a drop of wax on your tablecloth. Don’t worry, with a few simple steps, you can usually remove it completely without professional cleaning.

Step 1: Let the wax harden
Don’t try to remove it while it's still soft. Let it fully harden first. You can speed this up by placing an ice cube in a plastic bag on the spot.

Step 2: Gently scrape off the wax
Use a blunt knife or a plastic card to carefully lift off as much of the hardened wax as possible. Be gentle to avoid damaging the fabric.

Step 3: Use heat and kitchen paper to absorb the residue
Place a double layer of kitchen paper on the stain, then a clean tea towel over it. Set your iron to a low heat (no steam) and gently iron over the towel. The paper will absorb the melted wax.

Tip: Always test this method on a hidden spot first, especially for delicate fabrics.

Can you wash the tablecloth afterwards? Yes, you can.
Still see a light shadow after ironing? Wash the tablecloth using the recommended setting for the fabric type. On the Cottona website, you’ll find clear washing advice for each material, so your tablecloth stays beautiful, even after a little accident.

Yes you can, Cottona is strong in customisation! You can order rectangular, square, round and oval tablecloths easily and directly online. For oval tables we even make two models: oval and ellipse.



Do you have a special table shape? Asymmetrical or triangular for example? Then select 'other' under shape on the tablecloth order page. Fill in the contact form and we will contact you.


A tablecloth in a special shape can almost always be made!

The fabrics in the Cottona collection are woven in widths of 280 to 300 cm. This allows us to make almost any size of tablecloth seamlessly. Even very large round or oval tablecloths.



With very large sizes a seam is sometimes unavoidable. If the fabric width does not allow us to make your tablecloth in one piece, we will make a nice flat English seam on the sides. In most cases, the seams fall into the hanging part of the tablecloth and are almost invisible. 



On the tablecloth order page, under the heading 'Material properties', you can see the width and length to which we can make your tablecloth seamless.

At Cottona, we make a conscious choice to customise, and for good reason. For 15 years we have seen that it is more customer focused and more sustainable. After all, what is a 'standard size' tablecloth in a world where almost every table is unique?


Our customers don't have to worry about a tablecloth that doesn't fit. Have you got an extra long table? Don't worry, with us you won't be stuck with two overlapping tablecloths. We make it fit in one piece! 



You always get the perfect size, so no hassle with returns. All our fabrics are woven in Europe and the products are made to order in the Netherlands. They go straight from our workshop to your table without any unnecessary detours. 



This avoids excess stock, waste and unnecessary transport. This not only makes our work more efficient, but also makes you feel good. We hope it makes you as happy as we are.

We make our products very precisely. But because it is handwork and because most of them are products made of natural materials, the sizes can always differ slightly from the ordered sizes. But don't worry, the deviation is never more than 2.5%.

A feature of all our rectangular and square Tablecloths and Table runners is the finish with luxurious three centimeter wide hems. This hem has a double wrap with mitered corners, which ensures that the tablecloth hangs nicely without curling corners. (See the various photos on the site for the finish). Round and oval Tablecloths and Napkins have a standard hem of 1 cm wide.

Of course you can. However, it is important to keep in mind that a slight colour deviation from your previous order is possible. Therefore we advise - if possible - to order all products at once (Napkins together with the Tablecloth). We always ensure that a complete order from the same dye bath is made.

Discolouration, like shrinking and creasing, for example, is a basic and unavoidable property of textiles. Natural materials such as cotton and linen are more sensitive to discolouration than synthetic materials. Dark colours are more sensitive as light colours.

Washing, use and exposure to (sun) light will cause our products to lose some of their colour intensity. For outdoor use or, for example, in a conservatory with a lot of direct sunlight, we recommend our Outdoor collection. That is made of UV-resistant synthetic fibers and has a good colour fastness. But even for that material, prolonged exposure to sunlight may cause the fabrics to fade slightly.

No problem. With large round or square tables, the width of our Table protector is sometimes not sufficient to cover the table top. A Table protector can be made up of two parts, it is just a matter of cutting to size and putting them together. 

For round tables in the following sizes, you can choose the following Table protector:
Table 150-160 round: Table protector 250x140 cm
Table 170-180 round: Table protector 300x140 cm
Table 190-200 round: Table protector 350x140 cm
Table 225 round: Table protector 450x140 cm
Table 250 round: Table protector 500x140 cm

From the mentioned size you can cut two half circles that together cover your table top

- Sort laundry by colour and washing instructions.
- Fill the washing drum no more than half full.
- Use the gentle cycle for delicate laundry.
- Preferably use a liquid detergent.
- Wash as briefly as possible at the lowest possible temperature for best colour retention.
- Remove the product from the machine as soon as possible and hang it out so that creasing is limited to a minimum.

The important tip with all stains is to treat them as soon as possible. A dried-in stain is much more difficult to remove than one that has just been made. We recommend removing your Cottona-item immediately and get it wet, and to keep it wet until it can be washed.

Just like clothing and other textiles, our fabrics may shrink during cleaning. The amount of shrinkage depends on the composition of the fabric.

The shrinkage percentages of our fabrics are listed on the order page under the heading 'Material Properties'.

You have the right, within a period of 14 days*, to revoke to withdraw from the contract without giving reasons. To exercise the right of withdrawal, you must inform us in writing of your decision to withdraw from the contract. You can use the withdrawal form for this purpose but you are not obliged to do so.

You may use the completed form or any other clearly worded statement also via email toheadoffice@cottona.com

Goods can only be returned if they show no signs of use and are not washed or soiled. Goods should be returned with sufficient postage and (to the extent possible) in their original packaging to:

Cottona Returns
John F. Kennedylaan 18 C
5981XC Panningen
The Netherlands

Effects of Revocation:

When you revoke the agreement, you will receive all payments you have made up to that point, including delivery costs, back from us within 14 days. Only the costs for the return shipment from your home to us are for your own account. We will wait to refund you until we have received the goods back. Unless otherwise agreed we will use the same means of payment you used for the original payment for the refund.

Exception:

The right of withdrawal does not apply to contracts for the delivery of goods that are not prefabricated and based on individual specifications of the customer are custom-made.

Unfortunately, for administrative reasons, it is not possible to exchange or offset orders with each other. We would therefore like to ask you to return the ordered product and place a new order instead. We will refund the purchase price of your returned product after receiving and verifying your return. 

Orders over €200.00 are ALWAYS shipped FREE OF CHARGE. For shipments up to €200.00 to the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg, Austria, Spain, Italy and Denmark, we charge a flat rate, regardless of the number of items you order. This charge is €4.95 per order. For deliveries to all other EU countries we charge €12.95 and for deliveries outside the EU we charge €19.95.

Yes, this is possible. To do this, you can enter a different delivery address.

All orders placed before 00:00 will be produced and shipped the next working day from our own workshop in the Netherlands. This also applies to custom orders. Only personalised (embroidered) products may take 1-2 days longer. Once your order has been shipped, you will receive confirmation and a track-and-trace code. Depending on your destination country, your parcel will usually be delivered within 1 to 3 working days. During busy periods such as Easter and Christmas, delivery times may be longer. We apologise for any inconvenience and advise you to place your order well in advance.

Yes, you will receive an email as soon as your order leaves our studio.

Orders shipped from the Netherlands to countries outside the EU customs union may incur import VAT, customs duties, and a handling fee. These charges are set by the destination country’s customs authority and collected by the courier (e.g. Parcelforce, Royal Mail, Swiss Post, USPS). 

We do not control these fees, and they are not included in your order total. The courier will contact you (often by letter, email, or SMS) with payment instructions. 

Examples of destinations where customs charges apply: United Kingdom, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, and most other non-EU countries. 

Tip: If you are unsure whether customs charges apply to your country, please check your local customs website before ordering.