If you iron your clothes, you can get rid of creases and make them more presentable. Many clothes are made from materials that do not need to be ironed, but some garments need this treatment. You have to be careful though, because if you use the iron incorrectly, you could burn and ruin the fabric!
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Prepare the Iron
Step 1. Make sure the dress can be ironed
Check the label for more information on this. If this does not mention the settings for your iron, check if it describes the type of material. Many models of iron have different settings, based on the type of fabric to be treated: wool, cotton, polyester, etc.
Low temperature:
acetate, rayon, silk and wool. If the clothes are rayon or silk, turn them inside out before ironing. If they are wool, place a damp cloth between the garment and the iron.
Medium temperature:
polyester (lightly dampen the garment before ironing it)
High temperature:
cotton (lightly dampen the garment before ironing it)
Step 2. Prepare the work area
If possible, use an ironing board. If you don't have it, choose a flat, sturdy surface, such as a table or kitchen counter. The ironing board is designed to absorb heat and humidity without being damaged. Be sure not to iron on flammable surfaces.
Step 3. Fill the iron reservoir with water
You must add it if your appliance is equipped with the "steam" function. Look for a large removable compartment at the top of the iron and pour distilled water into it to the brim.
Remember to use distilled water! This will prevent limescale build-up in the appliance, which could in turn clog the steam holes
Step 4. Arrange the garment
Place it on the ironing board, so that it is perfectly flat. Make sure there are no creases! If you iron over a fold, you will leave a noticeable wrinkle in the fabric.
Part 2 of 2: Using the Iron
Step 1. Heat the iron
Turn the thermostat crank to the correct temperature according to the fabric to be ironed. Once you have chosen the amount of heat, the metal in the plate will begin to heat up. Wait for it to reach the temperature you set; it won't take more than a couple of minutes.
- The various temperatures and heat settings are often reported in terms of the type of fabric. For example, cotton can be treated with steam and intense heat, but synthetic fibers could melt if exposed to the same temperatures. Be careful not to use the wrong settings!
- Start with little heat and gradually build up. If you need to iron multiple items of clothing, start with those that require low temperatures. This way, you won't have to wait for the appliance to cool down before you can continue with your work.
Step 2. Iron the first side of the dress
Run the hot plate over the fabric firmly, but slowly. Smooth out any wrinkles. If you want to get great results, follow the natural folds and lines of the dress.
- Tackle each part of the garment individually. For example, if you are ironing a shirt, start with the collar, then the cuffs, then the sleeves, shoulders, placket, and finally the front and back.
- Do not leave the iron resting directly on the fabric, otherwise the latter will overheat. If you don't pay attention to the iron, you could start a fire!
Step 3. Move to the second side of the dress
At this point, turn the garment over and iron the second side. Make sure you don't fix any wrinkles or folds on the fabric.
Step 4. Hang the dress immediately after ironing it
If you stack your clothes on top of each other or leave them messy, they will wrinkle as they dry. Instead, hang them on a hanger and let them air dry.
Advice
- Have a spray bottle filled with water on hand to moisten clothes in case they dry before you finish ironing.
- When ironing a particularly demanding item of clothing, work on small areas at a time. These include the sleeves of the shirt or the bottom of the pants.
Warnings
- Make sure the cord is never taut to prevent the iron from falling off the table.
- Place the iron upright when not in use, so as not to burn the fabrics.
- Never leave the iron unattended; turn it off as soon as possible to prevent burns.
