Do your ironing in the bedroom. You’ll be able to use the bed to sort your laundry, and you’ll have hangers close at hand in the closet.
Cut your ironing time by putting a piece of aluminum foil under the ironing board cover. The foil will reflect heat so you’re actually ironing from both sides at once.
Progress from articles or garments needing the lowest temperature to those requiring the highest.
For a perfect fit, place your ironing board cover on the board while it’s still damp, and let it dry in place.
To avoid creases, place a rolled up towel in a sleeve before ironing.
To prevent wrinkles, keep moving freshly ironed surfaces away from you.
To prevent collars, cuffs, and hems from puckering, iron them on the wrong side first.
Iron double-thickness fabric on the inside first, then on the outside.
Acrylic knits can stretch out of shape if moved when wet and warm. Press each section dry, and let it cool completely before moving it on the ironing board.
When pressing badly wrinkled corduroy, hold the iron just above the garment and steam the fabric thoroughly. While the corduroy is still damp, quickly smooth it along the ribs with your palm. Revive the nap of velvet or corduroy by pressing it right side down on a piece of the same fabric.
If you don’t have a sleeve board, insert a rolled-up towel in sleeves so they can be pressed without leaving creases. Or make your own sleeve board from a cardboard tube covered with soft fabric.
Quick spray starch can be made at home by slowly adding 1 tablespoon cornstarch to 2 cups water. Stir until the starch is dissolved, and pour the blend into a clean spray bottle. Spray fabrics lightly when ironing.
Use paper clips to hold pleats in place
Restore a shiny look to chintz by ironing the fabric right side down on waxed paper.
To keep from giving your wash-and-wear garments a sheen when you do touch-up ironing, turn the clothing inside out and iron the wrong side.
To remove wrinkles from a tie, insert a piece of cardboard cut to fit its inside. Cover the tie with cheesecloth, and press lightly with a steam iron.
To avoid flattening embroidery or eyelets when ironing, iron them facedown on a thick towel.
Hold pleats in place with paper clips when ironing. Be careful that the clips don’t snag the fabric — particularly if it has a loose weave.
Do your ironing in the bedroom. You’ll be able to use the bed to sort your laundry, and you’ll have hangers close at hand in the closet.
Cut your ironing time by putting a piece of aluminum foil under the ironing board cover. The foil will reflect heat so you’re actually ironing from both sides at once.
Progress from articles or garments needing the lowest temperature to those requiring the highest.
For a perfect fit, place your ironing board cover on the board while it’s still damp, and let it dry in place.
To avoid creases, place a rolled up towel in a sleeve before ironing.
To prevent wrinkles, keep moving freshly ironed surfaces away from you.
To prevent collars, cuffs, and hems from puckering, iron them on the wrong side first.
Iron double-thickness fabric on the inside first, then on the outside.
Acrylic knits can stretch out of shape if moved when wet and warm. Press each section dry, and let it cool completely before moving it on the ironing board.
When pressing badly wrinkled corduroy, hold the iron just above the garment and steam the fabric thoroughly. While the corduroy is still damp, quickly smooth it along the ribs with your palm. Revive the nap of velvet or corduroy by pressing it right side down on a piece of the same fabric.
If you don’t have a sleeve board, insert a rolled-up towel in sleeves so they can be pressed without leaving creases. Or make your own sleeve board from a cardboard tube covered with soft fabric.
Quick spray starch can be made at home by slowly adding 1 tablespoon cornstarch to 2 cups water. Stir until the starch is dissolved, and pour the blend into a clean spray bottle. Spray fabrics lightly when ironing.
Use paper clips to hold pleats in place
Restore a shiny look to chintz by ironing the fabric right side down on waxed paper.
To keep from giving your wash-and-wear garments a sheen when you do touch-up ironing, turn the clothing inside out and iron the wrong side.
To remove wrinkles from a tie, insert a piece of cardboard cut to fit its inside. Cover the tie with cheesecloth, and press lightly with a steam iron.
To avoid flattening embroidery or eyelets when ironing, iron them facedown on a thick towel.
Hold pleats in place with paper clips when ironing. Be careful that the clips don’t snag the fabric — particularly if it has a loose weave.
Ironing your shirt PRO TIPS
1. Forget the dryer – iron your shirts while they’re moist. Take them out of the washer right after washing. This allows your shirt to get a crisp finish (while avoiding the wear and tear that a dryer might inflict).
2. Iron your shirts in batches. The set-up process almost takes as much time as ironing one shirt. So by ironing all your shirts at once, you’ll save time versus ironing each one on separate days.
3. Check for stains BEFORE ironing. Ironing a dirty shirt can cause any stains or discolorment to settle permanently on the fabric. Even a drop of coffee or a ring around the collar should NOT exist when you’re using a hot iron.
4. For “stubborn” wrinkles – spray water to dampen the affected area. Then go ahead with ironing out the crease.
5. Place aluminum foil under the ironing board cover. This will help speed up ironing time.
6. For dark-colored fabrics – always iron inside out. This is to prevent fabric sheen (or shiny iron marks) from popping out.
7. Unsure about ironing a garment? Use a steamer instead. It’s less likely to damage your clothing. Consider using a pressing cloth (a thin cotton handkerchief that blocks direct contact between the iron and the fabric) as well.
8. Starch can be used in SMALL amounts. Starch is useful in keeping your shirt crisp for a short while – which is great if you have a morning presentation to dress up nicely for. But starch may also break down cotton fibers more quickly (and damage your iron over time). So apply only a little bit of starch on the collar and cuffs.
9. Learn how to take care of your iron. It’s necessary to clean your iron from time to time to keep it functional. You can ask for an iron cleaning kit at your local hardware store. Or try running a damp cloth over the iron (when it hasn’t recently been used) to take off any residue. Then rub a beeswax candle over the soleplate and rub off any excess with a rag.
