Ironing Clothes

Dresses/Shirts

• Iron the decoration collar, belt and sleeves first before ironing the body of the dress, these parts may be ironed again to smooth out the wrinkles which may have formed when the other parts of the dress were being ironed. You may spray with ironing aid for easy ironing the clothes.

PROCEDURE:

1. Iron the collar from the pointed end to the center.

2. Sleeves are ironed starting from the seam to the lower portion and upward.

3. Insert the shoulder of the dress at the end portion of the ironing board and iron it. Press also the arm hole of the garment.

4. Insert the whole dress into the ironing board and iron the wrist line. Press first the front part before the back part of the garment.

5. Pull the garment downward and press the skirt, iron the hem of the dress carefully.

6. Go over the parts which are wrinkled.

7. Place garment on hanger; close only one button.

Important Considerations:

• Fabric Type: The ironing temperature and technique should be adjusted based on the fabric type. Refer to the garment's care label for specific instructions.

  • Delicate Fabrics: Use a low temperature and a pressing cloth (a thin piece of fabric placed between the iron and the garment) to prevent shine or damage.

  • Synthetics: Iron on a low-medium setting and avoid excessive steam.

  • Cotton/Linen: Iron on a medium-high setting with steam.

• Wrinkle Release Spray: A light mist of wrinkle release spray can significantly reduce ironing time and effort, especially for stubborn wrinkles.

• Steam Iron: Utilize the steam function of your iron to help smooth out wrinkles and penetrate deeper into fabrics.

• Ironing Board Cover: Ensure your ironing board cover is clean and free of any debris that could transfer to your clothes.

• Safety Precautions: Always unplug the iron when not in use and allow it to cool down completely before storing. Keep it out of reach of children.

Additional Tips:

• Iron Small Areas at a Time: This allows for better control and prevents scorching.

• Iron in the Direction of the Grain: Ironing along the natural grain of the fabric will help to smooth out wrinkles more effectively.

• Press Buttons: Place a small piece of fabric over the buttons to prevent them from melting or becoming misshapen.

• Hang Immediately: Hang the garment immediately after ironing to prevent wrinkles from reforming.

Long Sleeves

1. Iron the collar- Start with the underside of the collar, working from the center out to the points to avoid creasing. Flip the shirt over, and repeat on the outside of the collar.
   Tip: Always put your iron on the recommended setting for the shirt's material (cotton, linen, poly-blend). When in doubt, use the lowest setting.

2. Iron the shoulders- Secure one shoulder over the narrow end of the board and iron from the yoke (the point where the collar meets the arm and the body of the shirt) to the center of the back. Repeat on the other shoulder. Tip: Spray hard-to-smooth wrinkles with a little water, then iron over the area again.

3. Iron the cuffs and sleeves- Lay one sleeve flat on the board with buttons or cuff-link holes facing up. Iron the inside of the cuff first, then flip the sleeve over to iron the outside of the cuff. Next, iron the sleeve, beginning with the front side. Repeat with the other sleeve.

4. Iron the front and back- Iron both front panels, then flip the shirt over and iron the back. Use a spritz of water for any stubborn wrinkles.

5. Iron between the buttons- Next, tackle the placket (the panel where the buttons are). Take care to iron between the buttons; ironing over them can break buttons or scratch your iron's plate.

Tip: Hang the shirt immediately after ironing to keep new wrinkles from forming (and don't forget to unplug your iron).

Pleated Skirts

Procedure:

1. Slide the skirt onto the ironing board with the waist at the narrow end. Arrange group of pleats and hold in place or pin to the board as you iron in long strokes from top to bottom. Don’t iron over pins. Start by ironing the waistband and work down to where the pleats begin. Rotate the skirt around the ironing board until you come full circle.

2. Straighten the pleats flat against the ironing board, stretching the material taut with your hand. If they are too wrinkled or unruly, use straight pins to secure several pleats at a time directly to the board.

3. Starting at the hemline of the skirt, slide the iron upward toward the waistband, one pleat at a time.

4. Raise the iron a few inches above each pleat and shoot a burst of steam. Allow each pleat to cool on the board before continuing on to next pleat. This will ensure that the previously ironed pleat is not re-wrinkled.

5. Hang the skirt on a pants hanger by the waistline in a dry area. Allow it to completely dry from the ironing and steaming before wearing.

Important Considerations:

• Pleat Type: The ironing technique may vary slightly depending on the type of pleats (box pleats, knife pleats, inverted pleats).

• Fabric Type: Adjust the temperature and steam accordingly. Delicate fabrics may require a pressing cloth.

• Number of Pleats: For skirts with many pleats, consider ironing in sections to avoid fatigue.

Additional Tips:

• Use a Pressing Cloth: A thin cloth placed between the iron and the skirt can help prevent shine and protect delicate fabrics.

• Iron from the Inside Out: If possible, iron the pleats from the inside out to minimize the risk of damaging the fabric's surface.

• Check for Heat Sensitivity: Before ironing, test the iron's temperature on an inconspicuous area of the skirt to ensure it doesn't melt or scorch.

• Maintain Consistency: Maintain consistent pressure and steam application to ensure even pleat definition.

• Avoid Over-Ironing: Over-ironing can flatten the pleats and make them appear stiff.