After almost two months of lockdown in Italy, as in other countries around the world, due to the Covid-19 emergency, the topic of environmental sustainability is more pressing than ever. Indeed, during this enforced interruption it has emerged that concentrations of nitrogen dioxide in the atmosphere have been significantly reduced throughout Europe, with a consequent benefit to the environment. The Coronavirus, however, has also shown that the hygiene and sanitization of the surfaces we come in contact with is more essential than ever in the catering industry environment. 

In recent years, customers have witnessed the progressive use of disposable tablecloths by restaurant owners at the expense of reusable fabric ones. Moreover, due to aesthetic preference, the mise en place of some bars and restaurants often does not call for the use of tablecloths at all, and therefore the dishes and the cutlery come into direct contact with the table surface itself. In this case, however, it is not possible to guarantee that surfaces are properly cleaned, and that germs and bacteria are eliminated between one customer and the next.

 

The process of sanitizing fabric tablecloths 

Reusable fabric tablecloths are sanitized after every use by an industrial laundry system. Sanitization is carried out by washing fabrics at temperatures above 60° and then ironing them at more than 180°: in this way, it is possible not just to disinfect, but also to thoroughly eliminate the microorganisms that are nesting in the dirt, permitting a complete sanitization process. 

 

Not just a hygienic choice, but also a sustainable one

Several studies have also shown that the use of fabric tablecloths contributes to reducing power consumption and to saving more than 80% of non-renewable material resources, contributing to halving the greenhouse gas emissions and leading to a reduced impact on waste disposal as well. Indeed, nowadays people talk a lot of how important it is to reduce the use of plastics precisely because opting for disposable products leads to a greater accumulation of waste which must then be disposed of, and the same also goes for paper consumption. 

In light of these considerations, it is therefore evident that fabric tablecloths are beneficial not just to the environment but also to your health, protecting you from any contact with surfaces and spaces that have not been adequately sanitized. These are extremely significant factors at this time in view of restaurants’ reopening. Rebuilding a relationship of trust with customers, now undermined by recent insecurities caused by the fear of contagion, it is more important than ever and this must be done ensuring maximum safety in terms of hygiene and protection.

Raising awareness about the use of fabric materials is not therefore exclusively a question of aesthetics, but it is also and above all a matter of realization and care, towards the environment and towards your health.