How To Remove Tough Stains From Your Folding Tables

The majority of commercial plastic folding tables have stain resistant chemicals mixed with the polypropylene plastic during the blow molding process. Although this provides a stain resistant finish for your tables, the porous texture of the table top can still have spilled condiments and other liquids seep into the tiny crevices of the table. This can leave a very hard to remove stain. Below are a few suggestions gathered from retailers, manufacturers, and rental companies that work with or use these types of tables on a daily basis.

Tools You Will Need

• Soft Brush
• Safety Glasses
• Rubber Gloves
• Soft Towel
• Desired Chemical (Listed Below)

Time

• 5 Minutes

Cost

• Under $20

1.) Elbow Grease

Probably the cheapest solution listed here, and a suggestion that tends to work more times than you'd think. You should first attempt to remove the stain with some old fashion elbow grease. Don't be afraid of scratching the plastic. As long as the brush or towel you are using isn't rough, this won't be a problem. Sometimes a tough stain just needs a little aggressive scrubbing before spending money on additional stain removers. A soft towel and some around the house multi-purpose cleaner should do the trick.

2.) Degreaser

Degreaser can be found at almost any local store. This product is used to remove caked on grease, dirt, and grime. It's usually applied to appliances, grills, stove tops, and more. But it also does an excellent job of removing stains. 

3.) Paint Thinner

Another easy to find chemical. Paint thinner is a solvent used to thin oil-based paints, but it is also good at removing stains from your table. Use gloves to avoid getting paint thinner on your hands. It's recommended to test a small area of the table (preferably underneath where no one can see) before applying it to the rest of the folding table. Leave the chemical on for 5 minutes before attempting to scrub at the stain. Rinse off the paint thinner immediately after.

4.) Pressure Washer

A pressure washer is one of the fastest methods of cleaning your tables after an event. Plastic folding tables are designed for indoor and outdoor use, so a little rain wont do any harm. Once the party clears, remove any items off the tables, set them on their side, and hose them down with a light setting on your pressure washer. Avoid using a nozzle with too much pressure as this will cause serious damage to your table. Stand a minimum of 4ft. away and point the hose at a 45 degree angle.

Avoid using towels and brushes that are too rough or have sharp ends. Avoid using Brillo pads and sandpaper as well. These materials can cause scratches to your folding table. Feel free to leave a comment below if you had success on removing stains with a method not listed here!

If you happened to ruin any of your tablecloths or linens along with your table, check out Goodshuffle Pro’s guide to What To Do With Your Damaged Rental Linens.