Ironing it Right
You either love it or hate it! This is true but you can’t escape ironing, especially if you hate seeing all those creases or need to use shirts everyday for work.
You can always make ironing easier and quicker if you keep some of these tips in mind.
A quicker ironing routine starts with an organized laundry routine.
The state of your laundry basket is essential. Choose the right one for your dirty clothes to hang out in till the next spin cycle; don’t just chuck the clothes or sheets, fold them neatly when you can. This also saves time when sorting through the bundles and colour coding your washes.
If you use the tumble dryer a lot then it’s good to know that drying balls reduce static and wrinkling whilst cutting down on drying time and soften clothes too.
Those pegs! Make sure to straighten out your clothes when wet and do not peg in conspicuous places which will be hard to iron out.
Figuring out the iron
First of all make sure the board is at your waist height.
Then depending on if you’re left or right handed choose how you prefer to have the board positioned so that you can iron comfortably.
Add water if you are going to use the steam feature.
Plug your iron in and set to the appropriate heat setting.
Perfect & wrinkle-free: Step-by-step
- Iron on the reverse side for the most part
- Spray the garment with some water – do not soak but make sure it’s slightly damp
- Pull the fabric away as you iron so you can hear the “sizzle” – this gets the wrinkles out properly
- Press any pleats properly and iron the seam lines of your trousers if you have any – right side out this time
- Use water/steam when needed and not excessively
Crisping the SHIRT…
– Start with the cuffs, moving from inside to the outside
– Press along the arms and finish off the sleeve
– The collar next – this is a good time to use the steam feature – simply lay the collar flat and press
– Shouldering it involves placing the shoulder into the yolk of the ironing board and press the top and sides
– Flip the shirt so that you can press the back, moving it so that you can reach the sides
– Iron the front and press between the buttons – use the steam here too if you like
– Work your way along the bottom seam of the shirt
– Have a look at the shirt and touch-up as needed
– Hang and you’re done
NOTE
Always check the tag
If ironing delicate materials iron on low, and if you prefer place a thin cloth on top of the garment and iron over it
Care for your iron
If you don’t care for your iron, it will show whilst you’re ironing your clothes. The iron can stain your garments, this is why it is also a safe option to iron on the reverse side. Remember to remove water every time you use the steamer, leave the iron on its side so that all water can drain out – this ensures there will be no rusting.
Take a clean cloth and wipe your iron when you’re done with using it and it has cooled down.
Care for your fabrics
Most importantly, if you want your clothes to last you need to be careful. So make sure to get rid of stains as quickly as possible, and follow the instructions above when you’re washing and ironing.
Natural fibers
Cotton: iron damp on high heat
Denim: wash inside out to avoid fading and iron on high
Flannel: use instructions for cotton or wool – on high or low if using steam, iron inside out
Hemp: wash in cold water and iron when still damp on high
Leather: this requires special care, make sure to let it dry naturally and use the lowest heat possible as well as heavy paper over the top
Linen: hand wash, iron on reverse on a high heat when garment is still damp, use a press cloth too
cloth – high ironing causes yellowing
Seersucker: does not need to be ironed
Silk: iron dry clothes on reverse on medium heat using a pressing
Terrycloth: does not need to be ironed
Velvet: hand wash and use cool water, use a steamer to remove any creases
Wool: use a press cloth, iron dry clothes on reverse and use a low/medium heat
Synthetic fibers
Acetate: iron dry clothes on the reverse side on low/medium heat
Acrylic: iron dry clothes on reverse side with low heat
Nylon: iron dry clothes on a low heat – to prevent from melting
Polyester: iron them damp on a moderately warm iron
Rayon: avoid ironing but if you need to do so on low temperatures
Spandex: avoid ironing or use lowest heat
Lastly, ENJOY it
Set it up the ironing board in front of the TV or in the family room if you have to so that you won’t miss any family quality time. Get others to help out with the chores – placing the garments on hangers, taking them to their proper place around the house, you know what to do.
Also, take your time to do it right. Caring for and ironing your clothes properly implies you’ll get to wear them for much longer!