Most people iron their clothes every single day. They do it before going to school or work, but they don’t think too much about what they are doing. For most of them, ironing is just like cleaning the house or doing the dishes. It’s just a chore that has to be done. However, different fabrics require different treatments. Therefore, if you don’t think while ironing your clothes, there’s a good chance you will ruin the fabric. You have to be careful and pay attention to details.
Who would have thought that ironing can be this complicated? Well, it is not complicated per se, you just have to know how to treat different fabrics. This is exactly what we are going to talk about today.
Here’s how to properly iron different fabrics.
Cotton
Let’s start with the most pleasant of all fabrics to wear – cotton. You should try your best to iron cotton while it’s still damp to the touch. As stated at homecult.org/, cotton is one of the most sensitive fabrics out there, therefore it should be treated gently while it’s damp. If the cotton piece of clothing is already dry and creased, you should definitely wet it again. You can do this by using a spray bottle filled with water. When ironing cotton, you should make sure your iron is set on the high-temperature setting. Also, you should use plenty of steam to flatten the worst creases in the fabric.
Cotton can easily be ruined if not ironed properly. Therefore, make sure to be careful and gentle with your cotton clothes.
Silk
Other than the already mentioned cotton, silk is probably the most favorite fabric men and women have in their closets. However, a lot of people don’t want to wear silk simply because they don’t know how to take care of it. There are a lot of people who think that they will ruin the silk if they choose to iron this wonderful material. If you have the same problem, you’ve come to the right place. Ironing silk is pretty simple. Here’s how to do it.
You have to iron the garment inside out, but make sure your iron is set on low heat. Also, you must do these moments after a wash because the fabric has to be slightly damp. Do not spray or steam silk while ironing.
Polyester
This material is not as pleasant as the two fabrics we talked about before, but polyester is definitely an affordable and convenient material to have in your closet. If you want to take good care of it, you have to know how to iron it properly. You have to iron the garment on the medium-low heat setting, and you have to make sure the fabric is still damp before you start ironing it. You can spray it if necessary, but don’t use steam.
Lace
Lace is a very delicate fabric, and it’s used mostly for underwear and other smaller pieces of clothes. This means you have to be rather careful when ironing lace. There is only one proper way to do it. You have to iron the garment when it’s dry, and you have to set your iron on the low heat setting. You should try to use a pressing cloth to protect the lace. You must not steam or spray the fabric. This is the only way to protect lace and enjoy its softness.
Wool
It is safe to say that wool can be a bit complicated to iron. Even though it doesn’t seem like it, wool is a rather sensitive material. Therefore, you have to be very careful when ironing it. To do it properly, you have to iron the reverse side. Make sure to use steam, because if you choose to iron wool when it is dry, you might damage it. Use a low heat setting just to be sure.
Denim
As you probably know, denim is one of the toughest fabrics out there. Therefore, if you want to iron it, you have to set your iron on the highest temperature and steam settings. Since denim is a tough fabric, it doesn’t matter if it is dry or wet when you choose to iron it. However, you will flatten it more easily if it is damp.
Types of Irons for Clothes
Irons are tools for making clothes look less wrinkly and more attractive. Irons have changed over time in line with technological advancements depending on their intended usage; irons can be classified as either industrial or domestic. Industrial-type irons are typically preferred in the textile sector, tailoring businesses, and dry-cleaning facilities. The ability to quickly iron continually is these irons’ key characteristic. Choosing the finest option for your needs will enable you to save time and money. It is advised that you invest in high-quality, modern irons, steamers, and steam generators so you may enjoy ironing at home for many years.
1. Standard Iron or Dry Irons
The earliest and most widely utilized type of iron is dry iron, which is also the most affordable. Also, it is easy to operate; the soleplate and temperature dial, which are its most popular features, is used to raise and lower the temperature. Also, it has a red-light indication that illuminates when the iron reaches the desired temperature that you select and is prepared for use. As its name suggests, it lacks an integrated water tank; thus, you need to use a spate water spray bottle or wrinkle-release spray to dampen the garments. It has no automatic shut-off feature; therefore, you must turn it off after use.
2. Traditional iron or Steam Irons
In Europe, steam irons are utilized in every home and are constantly updated with new functions. The fact that it has a built-in water tank is one of the key characteristics that set it apart from dry iron. Another benefit of the most recent steam irons is their three-way auto-shut-off feature, which helps to avoid burns and damage. Vertical ironing is a feature that most new steam irons have in addition to steam boost, a smooth glide soleplate, several clothes settings, and other features. A steam iron also comes in a handheld steamer that is useful for a few laundries, everyday ironing, and neat touch-ups before donning a dress. When traveling, it is best to include a handheld steamer. An upright steamer is a big one that can handle a lot of clothes and is typically used by businesses that offer professional ironing services.
3. Irons with steam generators
Irons with steam generators have separate water tanks. It is substantial and emits pressurized steam. Additionally, big piles and difficult wrinkles in clothing are the two main uses of steam generators. This type of iron is recommended for professionals, large families with more clothes to iron, and quilters.
4. Portable irons
The only distinction between a cordless iron and a steam generator iron is that the latter has a cord attached to the base unit rather than the iron itself. As the base unit heats up, you must set the iron on it before ironing your clothes. Other features and capabilities are identical. Since there is no cord, there is no tension or tangling while using a cordless iron. The time limit for which it is hot is the only disadvantage we found with cordless. You can iron it while it’s hot but you must put it back on the base to recharge.
5. Iron Steam Press
The image shows that a steam iron press is used to press bed linens after garments. Used primarily for professional work, upholstery, ironing coats, and sweatshirts. With all other options, it makes ironing much simpler than ironing.
6. Steam cabinet or a steam ironing station
In textile companies, steam irons quickly iron a sizable amount of clothing, fabric, and bed linens. Additionally, automatic folding and ironing machines are now readily available, simplifying our lives. Also, they are quite helpful for large families to make laundry chores less strenuous.
Tips for Ironing Different Fabric
It may appear challenging to learn how to iron various textiles, but it’s actually very simple. Knowing how each cloth will respond to your iron and whether heat, steam, or water are required is the trick. You can keep your clothes looking their best by using the care and ironing strategies listed below.
1. Get a quality ironing board
Use an adequately cushioned board with a smooth, form-fitting, scorch-resistant cover. Certain boards are now available with non-stick coatings or reflective surfaces, allowing you to generate more heat and simplify the task. Before beginning, make sure it is at a comfortable height. Understanding how to properly clean your iron while organizing your tools to keep it in great condition would be worthwhile.
2. Use Steam or steam generator
A steam generator iron can be worthwhile to consider if you frequently need to iron large items or have a lot of laundries to do. These are easier to use because they have separate water tanks and can produce more steam at a higher pressure.
3. Try the tinfoil trick to double the power of your ironing
The most common ironing advice is to place a strip of tinfoil (shiny side up) under the ironing board cover for tough, wrinkled textiles like cotton and linen. Applying heat in two places at once can increase the effectiveness of your ironing efforts by a factor of two. Genius.
4. Prevent creases from forming before you begin ironing
Reduce the number of wrinkles in your laundry by doing simple things like using fabric conditioner and immediately removing your garments from the washing machine. While drying your laundry, try to hang it outside as soon as possible because damp clothing will dry the fastest, thanks to gravity.
5. Employ the dryer’s iron-friendly settings
Find out what the symbols on your washing machine represent and see if your dryer has an iron set that will lessen creases. If it doesn’t, don’t worry; choose a setting that leaves them slightly damp before hanging them out to allow wrinkles to disappear naturally.
6. Let your iron warm up and cool down
If you start too soon, your iron will be at the right temperature, resulting in sore arms and dissatisfaction. Organize your laundry into heaps according to fabric type during the warm-up period to avoid repeatedly changing settings. For example, group all delicate together, cotton shirts in one pile and bedding in another. Start with the items that require the lowest temperature (so you have the shortest wait time) and raise the temperature as you go. If you accidentally start with a high heat setting, wait until your iron has cooled before tackling more delicate objects.
7. Choose the appropriate material temperature
For the job to be completed as quickly as possible, it is essential to know the setting for each type of material. Cotton and linen typically withstand a hot setting. In contrast, delicate fabrics like silk, nylon, polyester, and other synthetics require a cooler setting. To be safe, make sure you read the care label.
8. Improve your ironing methods
For optimal results, arrange clothing along the length of the ironing board and iron with long, straight strokes. Avoid moving the iron from side to side, as this could cause additional wrinkles that are harder to erase.
9. Avoid that freshly ironed sheen
Using synthetic fabrics like polyester, a high heat setting might give your outfit a less-than-stylish shine. Flip synthetic items inside and out before ironing to avoid this.
10. Avoid buttons, zips, and other decorative elements
Avoid ironing over zips and buttons to prevent unattractive marks. Beading, delicate lace, decorative stones, sequins, and decorative stones should all be spared. Turn your pockets inside out before ironing the region for incredibly smooth pants.
Ironing may seem like a pretty simple chore. However, if you love your clothes and you want to take good care of them, there are rules you have to follow. The above-mentioned tips will help you to iron your clothes properly.