Let’s face it, most of us don’t really know how to iron.
We’ve seen our parents do it a million times, but when it comes our turn, we just can’t seem to get the wrinkles out when it comes to ironing a shirt or another clothing item. Do you dread the sound of your iron hissing? You’re not alone. Many of us have a love-hate relationship with our irons. We need them to keep our clothes looking sharp, but they often seem to do more harm than good.
If you’re anything like us, then you’re probably in need of some serious ironing tips and hacks. If you’re tired of struggling with wrinkled clothes, our ironing tips and hacks are for you. We’ll show you how to get the best results from your iron, so you can say goodbye to unwanted wrinkles. Keep reading to find out how to achieve professional-looking results, without spending hours at the ironing board.
Ironing How-To’s: Everything you need to know
What you will need
- An iron
- An ironing board and ironing fabric
- A couple of hangers
- Water
How to prepare before ironing?
Before you start ironing, proper preparation is essential for achieving the best results. Here’s what you need to do:
- Sort Your Clothes Properly
- Separate items by fabric type and temperature requirements: Delicate fabrics like nylon and acrylic should be ironed on a low heat setting to prevent damage. Meanwhile, if you want to iron satin, polyester or wool, you need to set your iron on a medium temperature for a smooth result without burning the fabric. When ironing linen or cotton, a high heat setting is best to remove stubborn creases. Start with items requiring lower temperatures, working up to higher heat fabrics.
- Check Care Labels
- Read the fabric care instructions on each garment
- Note the recommended iron temperature
- Check if steam is allowed for each item
- Prepare Your Workspace
- Set up your ironing board on a flat, stable surface
- Ensure good lighting in your ironing area
- Position the board at a comfortable height
- Have hangers ready nearby for finished items
- Get Your Clothes Ready
- Make sure all items are clean (never iron dirty clothes)
- Remove clothes from the dryer while slightly damp
- For dry clothes, use a spray bottle with water
- Shake out each garment to remove obvious wrinkles
- Turn delicate items inside out
- Check Your Iron
- Clean the iron’s soleplate before starting
- Fill the water reservoir if using steam
- Test the iron on a small, inconspicuous area first
- Allow the iron to heat up completely before starting
How to properly iron clothes
Follow these essential steps to properly iron your clothes:
1. Set Up Your Iron and Test
Start by filling your iron’s water reservoir for steam function. Plug it in and select the appropriate temperature based on your clothing’s care label. Test the iron on a small, hidden area of the fabric first to ensure you won’t damage the material.
2. Position Your Garment
Lay your clothing flat on the ironing board, smoothing out any obvious wrinkles with your hands. For better results, use a damp cloth between the iron and delicate fabrics to prevent shine or damage. Make sure to iron both sides of the garment for the best results.
3. Start with Structured Areas
Begin with structured parts like collars, cuffs, and pleats. Press firmly but don’t drag the iron, as this can stretch the fabric. For stubborn creases, use steam and apply gentle pressure. When ironing skirts with pleats, maintain consistent folds throughout.
4. Move to Main Sections
Iron the main body of the garment using long, smooth strokes, working from top to bottom:
- For shirts: Start with shoulders, then move to the front panels and back
- For pants: Begin with the waistband, then iron each leg separately
- For dresses: Iron the bodice first, then work down to the skirt portion
5. Use Proper Technique
The trick to proper ironing is to:
- Keep the iron moving constantly to prevent scorching
- Use steam for stubborn wrinkles
- Iron dark clothes inside out to prevent shine
- Press rather than drag the iron for delicate areas
- Work with the grain of the fabric to prevent stretching
Remember: Always check the care label before ironing, as some fabrics require specific temperatures or shouldn’t be ironed at all. When in doubt, start with a lower temperature and gradually increase as needed.
Also, accidents do happen while ironing. If you mistakenly burn an item, you’re probably wondering how to clean your plate. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Be sure to check out our detailed article on how to clean an iron.
Ironing clothes professionally
Ironing doesn’t have to be a chore. With a little practice, you’ll be a pro in no time. But if you do need a little extra help, don’t hesitate to call on the help of a professional ironing service. They’ll have your clothes looking sharp in no time.
Wecasa offers an at-home ironing service that is convenient and hassle-free. With Wecasa, you can schedule a time for one of our professional ironers to come to your home and take care of your ironing for you.
Wecasa is the perfect solution for busy people who don’t have the time to iron their own clothes. Wecasa offers a convenient, at-home ironing service that is hassle-free and affordable, starting at just £16.90 per hour. Schedule a time for one of our professional ironers to come to your home and take care of your ironing for you!
How to iron: FAQ
How do I iron a shirt?
To iron a shirt, start by setting the iron to the appropriate temperature for the fabric you are ironing. Place the shirt on the ironing board and begin ironing, using smooth, even strokes. Be sure to iron both the front and back of the shirt. If you’re dealing with a particularly stubborn wrinkle, try using the steam function on your iron. This will help to loosen the fabric and make it easier to iron out the wrinkle.
How do I iron bed sheets?
To iron bed sheets effectively, start by removing them from the dryer while they’re still slightly damp, or use a spray bottle to dampen them if they’re dry. Fold the sheet lengthwise into quarters to make it more manageable on your ironing board. Set your iron to the appropriate temperature based on the fabric care label – cotton sheets typically require a high heat setting.
Work systematically across the sheet, using smooth, even strokes and plenty of steam to tackle stubborn wrinkles. For fitted sheets, tuck the elastic corners into each other and secure them around the edge of the ironing board before ironing the middle section. Pay special attention to the edges and any decorative elements.
How do you get wrinkles out of clothes without an iron?
If you don’t have an iron, you can try using a hair straightener to remove wrinkles from your clothes. Just be sure to set the hair straightener to a low heat setting to avoid damaging the fabric. You can also try using a steamer to remove wrinkles from your clothes. A steamer is a handheld device that uses steam to remove wrinkles from fabric.
