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From casual meals to special dinner parties, these napkins enhance every tablescape. Reinforced Ring
Cindy is a freelance writer and editor whose career began in cookbook publishing. An expert in bakeware, cookbooks, and kitchen organization for Food & Wine, she has reviewed over 25 vacuums, 23 steak knives, and dozens of baking tools, such as cookie sheets, silicone utensils, and proofing baskets.
Opting for beautiful, durable cloth napkins over flimsy paper can make any meal at home feel more special. Whether you’re serving a multi-course Thanksgiving dinner, Sunday brunch, or just a quick weeknight dinner, fabric napkins add a certain refinement to dining — and come in lots of prints and colors.
“Cloth napkins provide a timeless look for a table setting,” says Jenny Chang, the founder and CEO of event planning agency ROCKDIMENSION. “Whether it is a corporate luncheon or a wedding, cloth napkins have an elegant feel to them, especially if they are made from high-quality fabric.”
Visual impact isn't the only reason to switch to cloth napkins, though. They are reusable and washable, so you can significantly reduce your waste compared to single-use paper napkins. After considering factors like material, size, and aesthetics, we determined the best cloth napkins on the market right now. Keep reading to learn which ones are our favorites, and why.
These classic, well-made napkins are versatile and easy to clean.
The design is rather plain, and there aren't many color options.
The product name may say hotel, but these cloth napkins suit any dining table. While they may not have an eye-catching pattern or weave, they showcase the beauty in simplicity. The thick fabric, subtle decorative hem around the border, and neatly sewn mitered corners can transition easily from fancy dinner parties to casual family meals.
That’s not to say they’re completely without personality: The napkins come in five colors from classic ivory to bold red or blue, and there’s even the option to monogram them in a range of fonts and styles. They're made of 100 percent cotton, which means you’re free to throw the napkins in the washing machine after dinner for a fuss-free cleanup.
Material: Cotton | Size: 20 x 20 inches | Quantity: 12 | Machine-Washable: Yes
These napkins are inexpensive, wrinkle-resistant, and available in more than 20 color assortments.
The cotton blend isn’t as absorbent or soft as other fabrics.
If you’re ready to switch from paper towels to cloth but don’t want to spend a lot of money, this pack of 12 is quite the steal, at less than $3 per napkin. (You can buy sets of 24 for less than $2 a napkin.) And you can choose from a staggering 26 colors and color assortments. The bright hues — think magenta, teal, and mustard — are fade-resistant through machine-washing as well as use outdoors. The cotton blend is wrinkle-resistant, too. Just bear in mind that you get what you pay for: These are on the thinner, less absorbent side.
Material: Cotton blend | Size: 18 x 18 inches | Quantity: 12 | Machine Washable: Yes
These colorful napkins are made from easy-care cotton but have a luxurious linen-like texture.
They only come in sets of four or six, and are somewhat pricy per piece.
While the Everyday Cloth Napkins are made purely from cotton, they have a slub weave that makes them look and feel more like linen. The texture, along with special stitching and rich color options like eucalyptus, rhubarb, and paprika, gives the napkins high marks in the style category. They seem delicate but are machine-washable, designed to last, and made to look good straight out of the dryer without any ironing.
You can get any of the six available colors in a set of four, or a mixed six-pack. That's great for a smaller household, but you'll need to buy a few if you regularly host large dinner parties or special events. And since they're not available in bulk, they cost more per napkin than others on this list.
Material: Cotton | Size: 20 x 20 inches | Quantities Available: 4, 6 | Machine-Washable: Yes
These linen napkins are beautiful, surprisingly easy to care for, and come in 12 color options.
Linen is an expensive fabric.
Made by a family-owned company in Italy, these beautiful linen napkins are so worth the extra cost. They have a lush, refined natural texture, with an intentional light crinkle from stonewashing. The wide variety of colors — a dozen earth tones and pastels — can be matched to nearly any dinnerware set. It's hard for cotton to completely replicate the elegant feel of true linen, and these are a lovely version of the real thing. On the other hand, these napkins are also priced like the real thing; linen fabrics are just expensive in general.
Linen is typically tougher to care for than cotton, but thanks to the stonewashing process, these napkins are machine-washable (on cold) and -dryable (on low). You could iron them flat for a more formal setting, but we prefer the soft and rumpled texture in most situations.
Material: Linen | Size: 20 x 20 inches | Quantity: 4 | Machine-Washable: Yes
These inexpensive napkins are richly dyed, easy to care for, and available in sets of one, four, or eight.
Chang recommends these smooth cotton napkins, calling them “an excellent option for those looking for a napkin that has a variety of color options as well as being cost-efficient.” They come in eight rich colors, which you can buy individually or in sets of four or eight — it's a great way to get the exact number you need for an event, put together a custom palette of napkins, or replace just one without shelling out for a whole set. These napkins can be purchased in sets of 4 or 8 and are also sold individually in any of the 8 saturated colors. This means you can get the exact number you want for your event, and if you need a single replacement, you don’t have to shell out for a whole set.
The elegant colors, mitered corners, and crisp diagonal seaming, combined with their low price, make the Aspen napkin a great choice for a big party or holiday meal. Pair these with a pretty dinnerware set and your best flatware, and you’ll be ready for your special day. They're organic cotton and entirely machine-washable, though we're a little disappointed at the thin material, which feels less soft and absorbent.
Material: Organic cotton | Size: 20 x 20 inches | Quantities Available: 1, 4, 8 | Machine-Washable: Yes
These large, elegant, crisp napkins turn any meal into a fine-dining experience.
They're very expensive, and they need careful ironing.
Turn your dinner table into a five-star restaurant with these cloth napkins from Matouk, a brand that’s been around since 1929 and is famous for its high-end linens. The delicate satin stitch along the border adds a sophisticated touch to whichever of the five colors you choose. Their crisp texture, large size and luxurious feel make dining into dining, even if it's just chicken nuggets from the air fryer.
While these napkins are a huge splurge in price, you don’t have to be super-careful while cleaning them. They can handle the washing machine on a gentle cycle and dry on low heat. (Just make sure not to use fabric softener or bleach!) Since linen is prone to wrinkling and creasing, it’s a good idea to iron them while they’re still slightly damp to keep them looking sharp.
Material: Linen | Size: 22 x 22 inches | Quantity: 4 | Machine-Washable: Yes
These napkins' cute floral print brings just the right amount of color to table settings.
They're only printed on one side.
With their dainty watercolor design, these charming napkins bring a floral touch to your dining table without being too bold. All of Maison d' Hermine's designs are hand-drawn and rendered in watercolor on soft but durable cotton for a pattern that has handmade charm. The pattern hides any spots or stains, so they still look pristine even at the end of the night, and then you can toss them in the machine to wash and dry. These napkins are quite reasonably priced, though we wish the pattern was printed on both sides — the plain reverse side makes them feel cheap.
Material: Cotton | Size: 20 x 20 inches | Quantity: 4 | Machine-Washable: Yes
These beautiful napkins are hand-spun, hand-woven and hand-printed on organic cotton.
They're expensive, and a bit less durable than others on our list.
These artisanal napkins are made by a family-run business that promotes social responsibility, donates a portion of profits to several non-profits, and avoids all plastic in its packaging. They start as organic cotton that's spun by hand into thread, woven by manual loom into a soft fabric, and then hand-dyed with natural materials. The result is a quality napkin with a show-stopping block print in a rich mustard color.
Ichcha's many textiles (the brand also makes tablecloths, clothing, curtains, and rugs) look and feel luxurious, and they are priced to match. You'll also have to be a little more careful with them than with other cotton napkins. Though they're machine-washable, you should wash them by themselves, in cold water, on the gentlest cycle — and then dry flat as they can't go in the dryer. Handwashing could be best to keep them in top condition.
Material: Organic cotton | Size: 19 x 19 inches | Quantities Available: 1, 4 | Machine-Washable: Yes
We named the Williams-Sonoma Hotel Dinner Napkins our favorite overall pick because of their classic design and quality construction. When you're looking for lots of color options at a very low price, consider the Ruvanti Cloth Napkins instead.
Cloth napkins are generally made from cotton, linen, or a blend of cotton and synthetic materials like polyester. Linen is the most expensive of the three materials and usually requires the most careful upkeep, but it also has a luxurious feel that cotton can't quite replicate. Synthetic blends tend to be inexpensive but also have a rough, thin texture that's less absorbent. Pure cotton stands between the two, with natural softness but more durability and less cost than linen.
When shopping for cloth napkins, consider the colors of your dishes, flatware, tablecloths, table runners, and dining furniture to see what might fit in best. You may want multiple sets — some basic, muted everyday tones and others that are brighter or follow a particular color scheme for a special occasion. If you're not sure what color will agree with your decor or know you're also going to replace things like tablecloths and flatware, think about neutrals that can seamlessly integrate into any dining room.
Oftentimes, cloth napkins come in sets of even numbers, but some napkins are sold individually. Whether you’re planning a holiday dinner or want a set for everyday use, it’s best to overestimate how many napkins you might need. Chang says that people should anticipate two to three napkins per guest. “This accounts for any drops, spills, or soils that may occur during an event.” Plus, it doesn’t hurt to have more napkins on hand if more people come or if some are dirty.
Cloth napkins are almost always square, and there's not a huge range of sizes available — most range from 17 to 22 inches, which is the right size for laps. If you're short on drawer space, smaller napkins fold down smaller. But larger ones are better to play around with decorative folding for your place settings.
Most cloth napkins are machine-washable, even those made of linen. To be sure, check the manufacturer’s care instructions on the tag or packaging. You'll also find the correct temperature for washing and drying, and any bleaching or ironing guidelines. For napkins that are not machine-washable, a quick dunk and scrub in warm water with gentle detergent should do the trick. If you like your napkins crisp and wrinkle-free, it's best to iron them straight out of the dryer so they don't go into storage creased.
“The pocket fold is the most timeless and functional option, as it is a simple technique,” Chang says. To execute a pocket fold, lay the napkin down flat and fold it in half vertically with the seam facing to the right. Then, fold the bottom of the napkin to a bit higher than halfway up. Take the new bottom seam and bring it up to the edge you just folded up. Next, flip the napkin over so your folds are facing the table. Finally, fold the napkin in thirds vertically, bring the left side over first, then the right, tucking the corner into the little pocket you've just made. Flip the folded napkin back over and you're ready to insert menus or flatware.
For an elegant look without the work of folding, consider napkin rings. Remember, there are no set rules here! Just because you’re using cloth napkins doesn’t mean you have to fuss over them every time. You can always simply fold the napkin in quarters for everyday dining.
The best fabric for napkins depends on your preference for the look and feel of the fabric, as well as your budget. Chang has her recommendation, though: “In our experience, 100 percent cotton or linen is the best fabric for napkins,” she says. “They are durable and can be easily cleaned. They are also best for creating intricate napkin folds as the material is softer than polyester.” Avoid cloth napkins with rough or too-thick material, as they will be uncomfortable to use and difficult to fold and store.
For events where you are buying napkins for a tablescape, Change recommends napkins that are at least 17 x 17 inches, saying, “This allows for the napkins to be placed in the lap and are the best size to create napkin folds without being too small or bulky.” Around 20 x 20 inches is pretty standard, while up to 22 x 22 is well within the lap-sized range. If you have multiple brands in your napkin collection, it’s a good idea to always go for the same size so they’ll fold up the same way.
Fiber Tape Cindy Brzostowski is a freelance writer and avid home cook with previous experience in publishing cookbooks. Her writing has been featured in Allrecipes, Blue Apron, The Kitchn, and EatingWell, among other publications.