Hammam towel as a tablecloth: the right size, stain protection and decoration ideas
A hammam towel as a tablecloth instantly brings a holiday mood to the garden table: stripes, fringes and cotton look light and relaxed, quite different from a stiff tablecloth from the cupboard. After the barbecue the towel simply goes into the washing machine and can come along to the beach the next day. For it to look really good on the table, the right size matters. In this guide you will learn which towel suits which table, how to calculate the overhang, how to prevent stains and which decoration ideas work.
Contents9
- Why a hammam towel works as a tablecloth
- The right size: calculating the overhang
- Hammam towel as a tablecloth: decoration ideas
- Preventing and removing stains
- Occasions: when a hammam towel works as a tablecloth
- Does the towel slip on the table?
- From the table to the beach – and back
- Conclusion
- Frequently asked questions
Why a hammam towel works as a tablecloth
- Flat-woven: Glasses and plates stand securely, nothing wobbles as it does on fluffy fabric.
- Suitable formats: At 180 × 100 cm, 180 × 130 cm or 240 × 200 cm, hammam towels cover many common garden tables.
- Washable: Our hammam towels are washed at 30 °C without fabric softener and air-dried.
- Fringes as decoration: On the short sides they hang over the edge of the table and give it a natural finish.
- Two lives: Tablecloth in the evening, beach towel or picnic blanket again at the weekend.
The right size: calculating the overhang
For tablecloths, an overhang of about 20 to 30 cm on each side is common. That way the fabric drapes nicely over the edge without lying in your lap when you sit. The simple formula is:
Table size + 2 × overhang = tablecloth size
Conversely, you can start from the towel: subtract the desired overhang twice and you know which table it fits. With a hammam towel as a tablecloth, the fringes on the short sides also hang over the edge.
| Towel | Size | Suitable table with approx. 20 cm overhang | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini hammam towel Diamant | approx. 90 × 45 cm | bistro table, side table | runner or doily |
| Hammam towel ADRIA or MAHINA | 180 × 100 cm | approx. 140 × 60 cm | narrow garden table, balcony table |
| Beach towel XL Anatolia | 180 × 130 cm | approx. 140 × 90 cm | classic garden table for four |
| Beach towel Coastline XXL | 240 × 200 cm | approx. 200 × 160 cm | large table, or smaller tables with more overhang |
An example: your garden table measures 140 × 80 cm. With 20 cm overhang you need 180 × 120 cm – so the Beach towel XL Anatolia at 180 × 130 cm fits well. For long tables, lay two identical towels one after the other so they overlap a little in the middle. For round tables, a format that is close to square works best – the Coastline XXL at 240 × 200 cm covers a round table generously.
Hammam towel as a tablecloth: decoration ideas
A hammam towel already brings a lot with its pattern and fringes, so little decoration is usually needed:
- Mediterranean and simple: The Anatolia in natural white with black stripes, with white crockery, a few olive branches and lanterns.
- Colourful and summery: A Hammam towel Ocean with colourful fringes, with bright crockery and fresh flowers from the garden.
- Geometric: MAHINA with stripes and diamond pattern in red-grey, sage-grey or pink-grey – with linen napkins in a matching shade.
- As a runner: Fold a large towel lengthwise three times and lay it in the middle of the table. On a wooden table the grain stays visible.
- Layered: Two towels in different colours crosswise on top of each other – the lower one as a cloth, the upper one as a wide runner.
- Small mats: Several mini hammam towels as place mats for each guest.
Preventing and removing stains
To be honest: a hammam towel is not a wipe-clean oilcloth. The cotton absorbs liquid, and red wine, barbecue sauce or oil leave marks once they soak in. With a few tricks you can keep this in check:
- Use coasters and boards: Place small coasters under barbecue sauce, oil bottles and wine bottles.
- Darker pattern for barbecues: Small splashes are less visible on patterned or darker towels than on natural white.
- React quickly: Dab up liquid immediately with a paper towel, don’t rub.
- Pre-treat grease: For oil and sauce stains, rub in a drop of washing-up liquid and then wash normally.
- Let candle wax harden: Let it set first, then lift it off carefully.
- Washing: At 30 °C, without fabric softener, air-dried.
More detailed tips on stubborn stains can be found in our guide to removing stains (link below).
Occasions: when a hammam towel works as a tablecloth
A hammam towel is not a festive damask tablecloth for Christmas dinner – and doesn’t want to be. Its strength is the relaxed, summery look. It suits these occasions particularly well:
- Barbecue in the garden: Robust, quick to wash and with a patterned design on which small splashes hardly show.
- Summer brunch on the terrace: A light towel with stripes looks fresh and goes with fruit, bread and coffee.
- Garden party and birthday: Several towels in different colours on beer tables or folding tables turn simple tables into one coordinated spread.
- Picnic in the park: Here the hammam towel as a tablecloth simply becomes a blanket on the grass – no table needed.
- Holiday apartment: A towel in your suitcase makes the plain dining table on holiday cosier and is a beach towel again the next day.
Does the towel slip on the table?
On smooth table tops made of glass, metal or varnished wood, a light cotton towel can slip a little. A thin non-slip mat underneath helps. Outdoors there is also the wind: tablecloth clips on the long sides keep the towel in place even in a breeze. On the short sides, the fringes make the towel hang down a little more heavily.
From the table to the beach – and back
The biggest advantage of a hammam towel as a tablecloth is its versatility. After the summer party, wash it, let it dry, and it is a beach towel, picnic blanket or sofa throw again. In our experience at the Meri Sauna, a hammam towel dries in about 30 minutes in the sun and in about 60 minutes indoors – so it is ready to use again quickly.
A note on appearance: pure cotton can shrink a little in the first wash. For the Hammam towel Manolia, for example, the manufacturer states up to approx. 10 %. So wash a new towel once before planning it for a particular table.
You will find all sizes and patterns in our hammam towels collection.
Related reading: Removing sauna towel stains: deodorant, oil, make-up and discolouration · Hammam towel as a wall hanging: how to hang it · Hammam towel in the garden: garden shower, pool, lounger and hammock
Conclusion
A hammam towel as a tablecloth is an easy way to give the garden table a summer look. With the formula table size plus twice 20 to 30 cm overhang you find the right format: 180 × 100 cm for narrow tables, 180 × 130 cm for the classic table for four, 240 × 200 cm for large tables. Coasters and quick reactions keep stains small, and after the party the towel simply goes into the wash – and then back to the beach.
Frequently asked questions
What size do I need for my garden table?
Measure the length and width of your table and add 20 to 30 cm of overhang on each side. A 180 × 130 cm towel, for example, fits a table of about 140 × 90 cm.
Can I use the towel as a beach towel again afterwards?
Yes. After washing it is a normal hammam towel again – that is exactly what makes it so versatile.
Is a hammam towel as a tablecloth stain-resistant?
No, it is untreated cotton. Liquid soaks in. Dab it up immediately and treat grease stains with washing-up liquid before washing.
Does the towel slip on smooth tables?
A little. A thin non-slip mat and tablecloth clips for outdoors help.
Do I need to iron the towel before laying it?
Usually not. Shaking it out and smoothing it is generally enough. For some models such as Manolia, the manufacturer explicitly advises against ironing.
Personally written by Martin – founder of BeachAndSteam and sauna operator at Lake Kulkwitz for more than 18 years.