PimpernelClassic Burgundy Placemats - Set of 4 Rectangular Cork Backed Table Mats with Deep Red Finish - Heat Resistant Wipe Clean Dining Placemats for Everyday Use & Decorative Table Protection

I have had a set for over 1 year. They are classic, durable, easy to maintain, and their rigidity facilitates lap dining as well as tabletop. In addition to their intended table use they are convenient for writing surfaces, protection under computers etc. After 14 mos. of regular use, they look as good as new.

They arrived in flawless condition. They are substantial, heavyweight. The mats are almost a quarter inch thick. They replace a worn out set of placemats that cost almost twice as much and were not nearly the quality of these. I use placemats on my painted kitchen table, so these are destined for daily use, morning and evening. I wouldn't expect any placemat to last a lifetime under those conditions. They get smudges from fingerprints on them over the course of a couple meals. So far, a quick wipe with a dish towel restores them to like-new perfection at the end of the day. These are hard and stiff - not wobbly - and the laminated surface shows no permanent marks at all from use, at least to date. The cork backing helps hold them in place on the hard surface of the table, unlike the set they replace, which was backed with a cloth material and slid fairly freely. Nor do these scratch the table surface at all if it is free of debris when you put the mat on it. The burgundy color is beautiful and is a true classic burgundy. If these placemats last six months under the heavy use they will be subjected to in my kitchen, I will be more than happy, considering the cost especially, which per mat is a lot less than a single pack of cigarettes. And if they do last that long, when they start to wear out, I will buy a new set of the exact same thing.

If food particles dry on, they need to be soaked off under a damp sponge so the coated paper surface doesn't get yanked off. Grease wipes off easily with a slightly soapy sponge.

These placemats are good quality with a thick cork backing. The burgundy color looks nice too, the only downside of this single dark color, compared to a pattern, is that is does show the dirt, cup rings etc. but they do clean easily.

Top quality, durable, attractive. Easy to care for.

The color, thickness and overall quality of these placemats are excellent.

Excellent product

Purchased a set to replace an older set, and the difference in quality is night and day. The previous set was durable, used daily, and looked new for years and years. After 20 years, we finally decided to replace them and thought we could just the same brand/design and would be all set. Ha! We were mistaken.As many other people have noticed, they have a bad chemical smell upon opening. Luckily, it dissipates after a while, and if that were the only problem I'd say get them anyway. However, the fatal flaw in these new mats is the surface is not durable at all. Even with light use, they all have begun to flake and chip on top. Heck, even some of the cork on the back has come off after not even 6 months of use.Congrats Pimpernel, you've turned what used to be a great product into junk.