Skip to content
Hari Krishna Tex-Fab
FABRIC WIKI

Oil Cloth

Oil cloths were first created for use on the floors of eighteenth century English homes as rugs. They are also known as American cloth or enameled cloth. Long b

HK
Hari Krishna Fabric Experts
Aug 2026
2 Min Read
100–140 GSM
Share:
Oil Cloth
HK
HARI KRISHNAFABRIC WIKI
It is smooth, and slippery in texture.

Due to its unique coating, oilcloth is waterproof.

Technical Specifications & Parameters

Specification AttributeStandard Spec
TextureIt is smooth, and slippery in texture.
WaterproofDue to its unique coating, oilcloth is waterproof.
DurableThe high density of the fabric makes it durable and strong.

What is Oil Cloth? 

  • There are a few other names for oil cloth, including American cloth and enameled cloth.
  • In the past, it was often a tightly woven linen fabric that was coated with boiled linseed oil to give it a watertight characteristic.
  • Cotton with a PVC or vinyl covering is sometimes used to make modern oil cloth.
  • This textile may be produced using a variety of designs, patterns, and colors.
Oil Cloth

History 

  • The original oilcloths were designed to be used as rugs on the wooden floors that were common in English households throughout the 17th century.
  • In addition to that, they were used as covers for roofs that leaked.
  • Sheets of linen fabric were stretched on a frame by skilled artisans, and after going through a sizing procedure, the fabric was ready to be painted on.
  • It was at this moment that the oilcloths began to take on new life and undergo significant change.
  • As skilled craftsmen tried out this new kind of useful art, they came up with many different designs.
  • After the pattern had been painted onto the fabric, it was given many coats of linseed oil so that it would not fade.
  • This kind of artistic expression was brought to the Americas by way of the Atlantic Ocean, where it was put to use in decorating the floors of colonial dwellings. Later, yarn carpets took the place of floorcloths, and oilcloths were turned into tablecloths as the textile industry grew. 
Oil Cloth

What Makes it Stand Out 

Texture 

It is smooth, and slippery in texture.

Waterproof

Due to its unique coating, oilcloth is waterproof. 

Durable

The high density of the fabric makes it durable and strong. 

Applications & Usage 

Home Furnishing 

Tablecloths, mat, pillow covers, drawer linings, etc.

Accessories 

Lunch bags, tents, bags, etc.

Care Instructions 

  • Directly after usage or as soon as possible after a spill, you should be able to wipe clean any oilcloth or linen acrylic using a wet cloth and a mild detergent. 
  • It is possible to eliminate wrinkles from the fabric by using a cold iron to iron it on the back side, which is the side that is not coated.
  • Do not dry clean the fabric. 

Oil Cloth

Care & Maintenance Guidelines

01

Directly after usage or as soon as possible after a spill, you should be able to wipe clean any oilcloth or linen acrylic using a wet cloth and a mild detergent.

Directly after usage or as soon as possible after a spill, you should be able to wipe clean any oilcloth or linen acrylic using a wet cloth and a mild detergent.

02

It is possible to eliminate wrinkles from the fabric by using a cold iron to iron it on the back side, which is the side that is not coated.

It is possible to eliminate wrinkles from the fabric by using a cold iron to iron it on the back side, which is the side that is not coated.

03

Do not dry clean the fabric.

Do not dry clean the fabric.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this fabric wiki guide helpful?

Your feedback helps our textile team continuously refine our specs.

Hari Krishna Fabric Experts
ARTICLE AUTHOR & QUALITY AUDITOR

Hari Krishna Fabric Experts

Textile Mill & Quality Engineering Team

The Hari Krishna Textile Quality & Engineering team oversees weaving precision, GSM batch audits, and fiber testing under international ISO standards at our Surat mill facility.

STAY AHEAD IN TEXTILES

Get fabric trends delivered to your inbox.

Join over 400+ fashion designers, bridal houses, and garment brands receiving monthly textile R&D reports.