How to iron the right way: a guide for those who want to look perfect

Ironing methods

Dry … In this way, things are ironed from the seamy or front side.
With moisturizing … The product is sprinkled with water or wrapped in a damp towel and then ironed with a hot iron.
With steaming … In this case, the iron uses the steaming function. In no case should you iron things that shrink like this, for example, from viscose.

When in doubt about the correct ironing method for your garment, try ironing a small area on the wrong side.

How to iron different types of fabrics

Different fabrics require specific heat treatment, moisture level and smoothing method, so be sure to read the information on the label.

Synthetic fabrics can be processed only with a warm iron using damp gauze for certain areas of the product. It is best to iron synthetics through the backing sheet.
Silk must be moistened before ironing, after wrapping the product for half an hour in a wet cloth. In no case should you spray a silk item: subsequently, water drops can appear as ugly stains. Iron dark silk through a thin fabric from the wrong side, but light things are better to iron from the front.
Lining fabrics (satin, twill, silk) must be ironed from the wrong side without moisture, so as not to lose shine and not leave water stains.
Jersey it is best to iron through a damp gauze or cloth using a warm iron. Remember that this material stretches well. Therefore, try not to deform the thing with sudden movements of the iron.
Raw silk used for sewing curtain and decorative items. Such material is ironed in a damp state from the inside with a very hot iron.
Rayon … It is best to wrap in a moisture-wicking material after washing. Iron from the inside out with a moderately heated iron.
Terry products do not iron to maintain their softness and ability to absorb moisture well.
Wool shrinks quickly, so products made from it are ironed only through a damp cloth from the wrong side at a temperature of 150-165 ° C, gently applying the iron. If woolen things shrink during washing, they are moistened by spraying with water, allowed to lie down and ironed through a rag, stretching to the desired size.

Nylon do not iron. To make the creases disappear, after washing, dampen the product with jets of water from the shower and carefully lay out on the dryer.
Velvet and plush can only be ironed from the inside out. Wrinkled and dented areas can be restored to their original form by holding the material with the pile down over hot steam.
Viscose fabrics can only be ironed dry.
Fleecy materials … Long-pile fabrics, camel wool, velor, soft drapes must be steam ironed, placing the garment on the wrong side on a soft surface.
Jersey … Things made from this material lose their shape easily. Therefore, the jersey should be ironed by gently and consistently applying the iron to the fabric. Allow the ironed product to cool down.
Chintz … If you want to add shine to the garment, iron the material from the right side. Dullness will appear when ironing from the inside out. To make the thing hard, soak it in a special solution (a tablespoon of gelatin per liter of water), then slightly dry the product by wrapping it in a cloth. Wait a little and iron the item with a hot iron.
Linen … It must be ironed damp at 180-230 ° C using the steam function. Iron the products from the wrong side: this way you will save things from unnecessary shine and iron marks.

How to iron pants

Start ironing from the inside out. Iron all seams, lining and pockets. Turn the trousers over to the right side and smooth the upper part of the garment and the belt through the moistened gauze, rearranging and pressing the iron. Turn out the pockets for convenience.

Fold the pants so that the side and inside seams match.

First iron the inner sides of the legs, and then the outer ones, smoothing the folds well. Iron the arrows. Press the unfolded pant leg with an iron at the top and bottom, and then iron the rest between these points.

To make the arrows last longer, they are drawn with soap from the inside, and ironed from the outside through cheesecloth slightly moistened with vinegar. In this case, the arrow is tapped with a brush.

Slicked areas of trousers must be ironed by first pouring a solution of one part of water and two parts of vinegar into the iron.

If the trousers are stretched out on the knees, the deformed areas need to be thoroughly moistened, and then covered with a piece of linen and the fabric tightened until the bubbles disappear, lightly applying a strongly heated iron to them. Ironing should be started from the edges of the section, moving to its middle.

After processing, hang the trousers on a hanger and let them cool down.

How to iron a shirt

Dampen your shirt and prepare a well-heated iron. Start ironing at the collar, straightening and ironing it first on the inside and then on the outside.

Shirts made of wool, with embroidery or with shimmer should be ironed damp and always from the inside out. This way you will preserve the original beauty of the item and get rid of unwanted shine.

Iron the cuffs on both sides after unbuttoning and straightening them on the ironing board. Then move on to smoothing the sleeves, floor and back.

How to iron a dress and skirt

For a dress, first of all, it is necessary to iron the upper part (neckline, collar, shoulders), and secondly - the hem. Ironing the skirt begins with processing the pockets, the belt and the top of the garment. Then the seams, the zipper, the main part and the bottom of the product are ironed.

The fabric must be ironed across, and then along, straightening the formed folds with the tip of the iron. The vertical darts are ironed to the middle, and the chest darts are pressed down.

So that garments with pleats and pleats do not lose their shape, before washing with a thin thread, sweep the edges of all folds with free stitches. After washing, dry the clothes on the hanger by straightening and pulling the folds in the desired direction.

For a product made of thick fabric, the hem must be ironed very carefully, without pulling the fabric and lightly steaming the hem.

How to iron especially delicate items

Before washing, the lace is sewn with large stitches to a piece of white fabric, then washed, starch and, without allowing it to dry, iron it with the nose of the iron.

It is important to know what threads are included in the lace. For example, openwork items made of cotton threads are ironed from the wrong side through a wet fabric. But only a warm iron will carry synthetic lace. Do not iron fine silk linen.

Ironing is also not recommended. You can freshen up the appearance of the product by straightening and wrapping it around a jar of boiling water.

How to iron without an iron

If you don't have an iron at hand or you need to put things in order very quickly, you can use one of the following methods:

Steam. Hang things over a hot tub. After 20 minutes, the fabric will smooth out. You just have to wait until everything is dry.
Hot mug. Pour boiling water into a metal mug and iron the product with it.
Special solution. Pour a solution of equal parts water, 9% vinegar, and fabric softener into a spray bottle. Spray the mixture evenly on the crumpled clothes, let them dry - and the wrinkles are gone!
Wet towel. This method is suitable for pullovers and sweaters. They can be smoothed out by gently spreading them out on a damp terry towel and spreading them out with your hands. Wait for the folds to unfold and hang your clothes on a hanger.
Wet hand. Light folds can be smoothed out with a damp palm.
Roll. When going on the road, roll your clothes - including pants and shirts - into rolls and tuck them neatly into your suitcase.

Little life hacks

Hold a dress that cannot be ironed at high temperatures over a basin of hot water. Then hang it on a hanger to dry and iron it with a warm iron.
Wipe the iron stain on the silk fabric with a gruel of baking soda and water. After drying, brush off the baking soda and rinse the product in cold water.
The tan marks can be removed with onions or a solution of boric or citric acid. Dilute the acid with water in proportions 1: 1, apply on the tan for 20 minutes, and then wash. Grate the onions, apply the resulting gruel to the stain for 2-3 hours, then soak the product in cool water and wash.
Do not iron stained clothing, otherwise it will be very difficult to remove the stain.
To make the pockets and edges of the garment more collected and dense, press them: smooth the edges, cover with a slightly damp cloth and place the iron on them for 2-3 seconds. Then cover with a dry cloth and press until dry.
Cover the seam with a damp cloth to pull up the seam. Gently pull and straighten with your left hand, and iron the seam with your right hand. If you need to cut an extended seam, iron it at a high temperature through a damp cloth, letting the steam soak through the entire material. Continue the procedure until the fabric is completely dry.
To keep the ironed things in shape longer, let them cool down a bit and only then hang them in the closet.