Clothes Ironing Tutorial – Simple Tips for Perfectly Ironed Clothes
Ironing is a task few people do up for fun, yet a perfectly pressed garment makes any outfit look more polished and professional. If you want to make an unforgettable first impression for a job interview or a first date, expertly ironed clothes are an absolute must.
According to a 2005 survey by Rowenta, a leading iron manufacturer, the most frequently pressed garment, ironed by over 72% of those surveyed, was jeans. Shirts, the second most frequently ironed item, were ironed by 55% of those surveyed. Interestingly, 12% ironed their socks! Over 24% admitted to ironing a garment while wearing it!
For many people, having a shirt or slacks pressed means a trip to the dry cleaners. However, pressing costs between $3 and $5 per garment. At about 5 outfits each week, that can add up to $25 or more, or over $1200 each year. And that doesnt account for emergencies: what do you do if you boss schedules an important meeting for early the next morning and you have no time to get your best suit to the cleaners? By investing in a quality iron and learning a few simple tips, you can cut down the cleaners bills dramatically.
Tools youll need for Ironing
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Iron
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Ironing Board
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Ironing pad. In a pinch, you can use a folded towel.
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Spray bottle of water
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Spray starch for button down shirts
General Cautions while Ironing:
Check the garments care label!!! Some garments, especially those made of polyester can be damaged by a hot iron. Make sure to look at the care label located in the back of the neck opening, side seam near the waist or in the waistband or fly of a pair of slacks. Most labels now include a pictorial symbol. A circle with a slash thought it over a picture of an iron should tell you NOT to iron the garment. Garments that are safe to iron will lit the correct temperature setting. Following the garment manufacturers recommendation will help you get the best possible results.
If there is no label, or you are unsure if the garment can be ironed, turn the iron at the lowest setting. Once the iron has warmed up to temperature, test a small area inside a seam to make sure the fabric is not damaged or melted.
Always be sure to pour any water from the iron after it has cooled. Water that remains in the iron can stain the next garment you iron. If youre unsure if there is water in the iron, first use a pressing cloth or towel to avoid damage to your clothes.
Before you begin to iron a garment, look at the plate of the iron to make sure there is no debris, sticky or burnt material. This is especially important if you or someone else uses the iron for any type of crafting project. Melted materials can destroy or damage your garment, a frustrating and costly problem.
General Ironing Tips
Turn on your iron and allow it to warm up for about 5 minutes for best results. Irons can become very hot and are dangerous for pets and small children, so never leave a hot iron unattended. Always turn the iron off and unplug it when you are done to avoid accidents.
Its usually easier to get your clothes smooth and flat if you iron before the cloth is fully dry. Remove any items you want to iron from the dryer a few minutes early and iron. Or, roll and place in a plastic bag in the fridge to keep it moist (and not mildewed) until you have time to iron. If you like your shirts a bit stiffer and crisp, use a spray starch while ironing.
When you need to iron a dry wrinkled item, use a spray bottle to slightly moisten as you iron. You can also spritz the garment and let it saturate while rolled in a plastic bag. Or, hang the garment in the bathroom while you shower to slightly moisten it and let some of the wrinkles flatten a bit.