Oilcloth is a type of fabric that has been treated with oil or wax to make it waterproof and easy to wipe clean. Before the invention of plastic, oilcloth was the go-to material for tablecloths in kitchens and dining rooms. When someone spilled milk or dropped spaghetti sauce, you could just wipe the oilcloth clean with a damp rag instead of having to wash and dry an entire tablecloth.

The traditional process involved coating cotton or linen fabric with linseed oil, which dried into a smooth, protective surface. This made oilcloth perfect for covering tables, protecting surfaces in workshops, and even making waterproof bags and raincoats. Sailors used oilcloth jackets to stay dry in storms long before modern rain gear.

Today, most “oilcloth” you see in stores is actually vinyl- or plastic-coated fabric, but people still use the old name. It remains popular for outdoor tablecloths, craft projects, and anywhere you need something both decorative and practical. The word captures a simple but clever solution: take regular fabric and make it work harder by giving it a waterproof coating.