Ironing is a great way to keep your clothes looking sharp and wrinkle-free. If you’re new to ironing, it might feel a little intimidating, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be whipping out this skill at every opportunity. Here’s a guide to the basics of ironing to help you get started.
#1: START WITH CLEAN CLOTHES
Washing your clothes is the first step to getting wrinkles out. Set yourself up for success by making sure you’re starting with clean clothes.
#2: SET UP YOUR IRONING BOARD
Ironing boards ensure that you can iron safely, without ruining any of the surfaces in your home. Ironing boards come in lots of different designs and sizes, so you should be able to find one that fits your needs.
#3: CHECK LABELS FOR TEMPERATURE SETTINGS
Every item has different temperature needs. Look on the back of the clothing’s tag to see which temperature the manufacturers recommend. Start by ironing clothes that require lower temperatures first, as your iron will heat up over time. If you’re ironing a lot of items, you might want to sort them by temperature or material.
#4: PRE-HEAT YOUR IRON
Plug your iron in and let it sit on your ironing board (with the hot, metal side perpendicular to the board). Most irons have an indicator light to let you know when the iron has reached the maximum temperature.
#5: TURN THE ITEM INSIDE-OUT AND LAY FLAT
Especially for delicate fabrics like silk or linen, you want to iron on the wrong side to prevent damage. Check the tags or the internet if you’re not sure what your fabric needs. Lay your item out flat on the ironing board to get started.
#6: SPRAY WITH WATER
You want to make sure the item is damp before you apply the iron. Some irons come with a spray function, or you can use a spray bottle to moisten.
#7: GENTLY APPLY HEAT
Now you can apply the hot side of the iron to your clothes. Pass the iron slowly across the length of the fabric, one side at a time. For tricky items like collared shirts or ruffled skirts, iron each element individually.
#8: LET YOUR IRON COOL
Congratulations, you just ironed your clothes! Once you’re finished ironing, be sure to let the iron cool for at least ten minutes before putting it away.
