How to Iron and steam different fabrics (15 tips)

When we got married, I was surprised to learn that my husband wanted all his socks and underwear ironed! For someone like me—who only ironed clothes when there was nothing else left to wear—this seemed very odd, to say the least. Ironing became a bone of contention between us for a long time. Over time, I also picked up a few simple tricks to make ironing easier (when absolutely necessary).

Once I started sewing, pressing became an unavoidable step—it is an important part of the sewing process. And so is ironing after the clothing is finished.

There is no denying the difference between presenting clothing that is ironed versus one that is not.

Here is the crux of ironing wisdom in list form.

1. As soon as the clothes are out of the washer (if you are line drying) give it a shake to remove the wrinkles and hang them properly. This is so that the fabric does not bunch up and dry in this position full of wrinkles and make your ironing more difficult (as if ironing is not difficult already!).

If you are using the dryer take it out as soon as the process is over and hang it or fold it neatly – do not wait for the wrinkles to settle in.

2. Just before ironing, ensure that the iron box sole plate is clean and without any stains. I have experienced horror stories of fabric staining because of some random burn mark on the iron.

Prevent sole plate stains by using correct heat settings for clothes according to the fabric type and resting the iron after use on its resting place and not on the cloth covered board. 

I always forget this and burn the board surface by forgetting that the hot iron is resting on there for the last 15 minutes I was on the phone.

Use press cloth when necessary, to prevent direct contact. Or you can buy Teflon Iron Shoe 

3. Use a brush to remove pilling and fabric fuzz and lint on clothes before ironing .

4. Test the temperature of the iron on an inconspicuous place like the inside of the hem before ironing straight on the front pocket or somewhere as in-your-front.

5. Plan; Sort your washed laundry first by temperature requirements – ie start ironing clothes that require low heat first before moving on to clothes that need high heat like ones made of linen/cotton.

Saves on electricity bill. Plan the sequence of ironing and follow it – like for shirts start with sleeves, collar, back yoke and back, front shoulder, front body, or however you intend to do it.

6. Manmade Synthetic fabrics (differnt forms of polyester or, a lot of Nylon materials) may not necessarily need ironing. Scorch marks, melted fabrics – these are all real when ironing clothes made of these fabrics. Synthetic fabric burns super fast – even when you think you have the lowest temperature, a little pressure and a forgotten moment are all they need to burn and mark.

Hang them in the area where there is humidity like the hot shower area where the steam will iron out the wrinkles. With synthetic or some polyester-cotton blend clothes this is all you may need to do – the dampness will do the trick – wrinkles will magically disappear after it is hung there a few hours. No need to iron at all-yay.

7. If you do not want to hang clothes in the bathroom, Get yourself a water mister – just before you iron a piece of clothing hang it somewhere clear (you do not want water on your other clothes) and mist it with the water sprayer.  

You can also dampen clothes by using a clean cloth that is dipped in water and wrung to remove excess water. A dampened press cloth is a boon when ironing out stubborn wrinkles. You can keep this on top of hard wrinkles or use it to gloss over the fabric for making the fabric slightly wet. Another way is to iron clothes before the clothes are fully dry, just out of the washer dryer.

As I said fabrics iron better when slightly damp. But not all fabrics  – Dampening rayon fibers are not a good idea before ironing. They become weak.

8. A steam iron is not a necessity but a very convenient tool to have. There will be a space inside this iron to pour in water which will turn to steam when plugged into a power outlet. The iron plate will have small holes which will emit the resultant steam through them. This way you do not have to use a dampened pressing cloth to remove stubborn wrinkles

If your area has hard water this is going to be trouble for your iron. This article says to always remove excess water from the chamber when you’ve finished ironing. Otherwise the deposits from the water will ruin your clothes. Talk about a good thing turned bad.

You can use de-mineralised water to fill up iron box. You can use bottled spring water or untreated tap water. Do not use 100% distilled water. Never use starch, perfume or fabric conditioner in the water for steaming.

9. Get a proper ironing table – do not iron on a wooden table or on the bed.

Getting that ironing table will make a difference even if you think you do not want it – the length of the table, the narrow end – all are there for a reason. Make use of the full length and you can save some of the efforts. Your ironing table height can be adjusted for sitting or standing. The narrow tip is used to insert blouses, shirts, skirts and iron properly without crushing the other side. (works like the free arm of your sewing machine). Some even come with a rack to hang your ironed clothes.

Get a cover for the table which is soft as well as firm -this will further give a good ironing experience. Check out this tutorial to make an easy ironing board cover using old towel and fabric as I said.  If you do not have an ironing table, you can simply lay wool fabric and cotton fabric on top of a wooden table and iron away. This will give the necessary surface to complete your ironing in ease.

10. So many different fabrics – so many different ways to iron them.

With velvet you cannot iron on the face – the napped surface will be crushed. So what do you do? Hold the steam iron about an inch above the fabric, let it get steamy and this will get the wrinkles out. Linen should be pressed with sufficient high heat, when damp. You can use a pressing cloth to avoid the shine on linen.

Silk requires a lower temperature ironing and should be steam ironed, preferably with a press cloth or you can iron on the reverse side to be on the safe side. Silk is expensive and worth all the trouble. Do not mist silk; you will leave watermarks.

Wool should be pressed with steam and moderate temperature. Do not iron or stretch wool as you iron -the best method is to just press and remove the fabric. You can keep a dampened cloth on top of the woolen fabric for better results. Ironing and the resultant to and fro motion can damage the surface of the wool.

All animal fabrics (Check out this post on animal fibers and fabric) should be ironed with steam in medium heat. Rayon needs to be ironed from the inside and in low heat.

11. Take special care of embellishment fabric finishes, printed surfaces, painted areas, embroidery etc. All these types of fabrics cannot be ironed from the face. Iron them from the backside.

Fabric with nap also needs special care. Remember to iron the pile only in one direction, not randomly this way and that way. Buttons and zips are plastic and need all the precautions to prevent melting from a hot iron. 

12. If you dread the idea of shine on the fabric after ironing,  keep a tissue paper on top or a pressing cloth to prevent the shine marks. This way you would not touch the iron box straight on such clothes.

The shine usually occurs in synthetic fabrics and dark fabric. Here is a useful article on removing the shine if it is already present. Black fabrics always get this dreaded shine.

The best press cloths you can use : Cheese cloth, muslin for thin fabrics. Thicker fabric like duck cloth for heavy fabric. Do not use new fabric as pressing cloth. Also use different ones for light clothes, dark clothes and lint giving fabrics. Cut these fabric as a rectangle of dimension 6 inches by 15 inches.

You also need to keep some thin cardboard sheets inside clothes while ironing if you are particular that there are no pressing imprints  when pressing seams, pocket edges etc.

A good buy is a teflon iron shoe which can prevent any kind of fabric damage.

13. Using starch on fabric creates a crisp look which is very attractive especially for linen and cotton clothes.

You can spray starch before ironing, if you have not done it the traditional way ie dipped the garment in starch solution. Too much starch and you will get unattractive blotches or a super shiny look. Just a little and you have super crisp elegant clothes.

Check out the post on home made starch recipes.

14. A lot of clothes just need some pressing – You can check out the tips on pressing here.

Pressing is different from ironing. It means not dragging the iron of the fabric but keeping the iron with an up and down motion. This will prevent stretching of clothes – leading to out of shape clothes. When you drag your iron over fabric this distortion is inevitable. So pressing is better.

If you are ironing make long strokes – you will get fewer wrinkles. Avoid going in circles with the iron. 

15. There is another easy way to get wrinkles out of clothes if you do not have an iron – Boil water in a kettle and hold your clothing above the steam to get rid of any creases. Not the most genius method – but in a tight spot this is something you can try.

Finally some tips on Ergonomics and Safety. Be on the safe side when ironing –  Do not touch the ironing box with wet hands – water is a good conductor of electricity. Wear rubber slippers to be safer. And correct the height of your ironing table to one optimal for your back. Your back will thank you.

And as instruction manuals of irons may or may not tell you “Never iron or steam clothes while they are being worn.”

Normal iron or Steam iron for pressing clothes?

The basic things for ironing a clothes are, of course, a good quality iron box and a clean, smooth surface for ironing. It is always better to have a steam iron with the provision to spray water on your clothing- as long as you are not pressing a silk garment.

Always make sure the base of the iron box is devoid of any dirt, rust or sediments. A sturdy iron board with a clean cloth top that can withstand heat is a must. You can adjust its height to your comfort before starting to iron.

Suppose you do not have a steam iron; it is always handy to have a spray bottle filled with clean water.

A clean pressing cloth is another thing you can keep as you iron. A pressing cloth protects the fabric’s surface. If you have dark clothes, this cloth can prevent shine. A clean lint-free cotton fabric is a good pressing cloth. 

Read the care label of your clothing

You have to know what your clothing is made of. For that, you can check the label inside – every garment will have this label along with some instructions on how to treat that particular fabric – if these instructions are not there, there will be some symbols. These are universal symbols for fabric care. You can read more about fabric care labels here.

Clothes are usually made of cotton, linen, silk, or blends. Read more about the standard fabrics used for shirts here.

It is essential to know about the material because each material demands a different temperature setting on your iron box. For example, a cotton or a linen fabric needs a higher heat setting when compared to a synthetic or silk. A quick reference to the setting on your iron box will teach you which setting is suitable for a chosen material.

Should you starch BEFORE IRONING?

Many homemakers who iron regularly would vouch that the secret to a crisp pressed clothing is starch. You can buy any starch spray bottles available at the stores or create your own.

A spray bottle of starch can be used while you are ironing or the starch can be applied when the dress is washed. Check out this post on homemade starch recipes.

How to starch before ironing?

Starch works best on natural fibers like cotton or linen. You can also use it on cotton, linen blends, but it will not look as crisp.

Hold the starch bottle 5-6 inches away and uniformly spray starch on the insides of the clothing. Allow it a minute or two to absorb it.

The collar is one area where you should specifically apply starch – especially if you like your collars to have that super stiff look. (or even if you do not want the sloppy collars). Flatten the collar on the ironing board with the inside facing out. Get the starch bottle and liberally spray the collar from the middle to both ends.

How to starch BEFORE washing?

If you prefer starch to be applied uniformly, the only way is to dip the clothing in a liquid starch solution just after you have washed it.

For that, mix a bucket full of water with two or three cap fulls of liquid starch. Stir to blend it uniformly. Take your garment and dip it completely into the starch solution. Let it fully submerge so that no part of the fabric is left without starch. Take it out of the solution and squeeze out the water. Squeezing is better than wringing as it makes fewer amount of creases. Now hang it to dry.

After starching, do not wait for the clothing to be completely dry – It is always better to iron it while it is slightly damp. But in case the garment is completely dry, you can spray water before ironing to easily remove the creases.

How to remove all creases completely from the clothing?

To get the creases out of your clothing, you have to iron it while it’s slightly damp. All fabrics are pliable when wet. Especially cotton and linen – they should absolutely be dampened.

You can either take the garment from the drying line before it is completely dry, or You can spray water with a spray bottle to lightly dampen it. If you are using a steam iron, the steam from the iron will dampen the surface just enough.

Ironing steps

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Step 1. Adjust the iron temperature settings

Adjust the iron to the setting needed for the fabric.

To iron cotton blend or synthetic fabrics, use low heat. It is always better to use a thin sheet of fabric between the iron and the fabric to avoid any accidents as these are very heat sensitive.

For linen and cotton, you will need to use high temperatures to remove creases, especially if you are ironing dry.

Step 2. Start with the collar

The stiff high standing pressed collar is the first thing you notice; to this end, flatten the inside of the collar on the iron board. Bring the hot iron to the middle and press towards one end. This will avoid the formation of a crease on the tip of the collar. Now repeat the same action to the other end.  Repeat the process with the other side. Now turn the clothing to press the outside of the collar.

Step 3.  Press the sleeves.

If you have a long-sleeved garment, tackle the cuffs now. Open the cuffs and lay them flat on the iron board. You have to press the inside of the cuff before ironing the outside, just like the collar iron from the middle towards the edges. Workaround the buttons gently with the tip of the iron box. Even if you are going over the buttons, do not linger – hot iron can disfigure the buttons.

Now place the sleeve with the seam flat on the iron board and smooth out creases if any with your hands. Place the tip of the iron box near the cuff and work backward towards the shoulder. Now flip the sleeve over and repeat the process with the other side. Repeat it with the other sleeve.

Step 4. Press the yoke

The yoke is the top of the back and shoulder section. Flip the dress so that the yoke is flat in front of you. Place the yoke so that the narrow end of the iron board is inside one sleeve. Smooth out the fabric with your hands. Now iron from the edges to the middle. Repeat the process with the other side.

Step 5. Iron the back

To iron the back of the garment, you will have to position it several times on the iron board to iron the whole of it. Place the back flat on the board and smooth out any creases with your hand. Now start from the tail end towards the yoke. If your garment has pleats at the back, make sure you press the lower side first before working on the pleats. Use the narrow end of the iron box to work on the pleats.

Step 6. Front and plackets.

The placket of a garment is where you have the buttons and buttonholes. To iron, the placket, lay it flat on the middle of the iron board. Workaround the buttons with the narrow tip of the iron box. Be careful not to damage any buttons or the thread to go loose. Now place one of the front sides on the iron board and work from the end towards the armhole and collar. Workaround the pocket in such a way that you start from the outside to prevent any creases. Now repeat it with the other side.

Your clothing is ready and looks crisp and straight without any creases. You can hang it on a clothes hanger or fold and keep it.

Pressing vs ironing?

Pressing and ironing differs in the action of the iron – with ironing you drag the iron on the fabric surface and remove the wrinkles. The process along with the heat and pressure removes the wrinkles. With pressing you just press the hot iron. 

How to remove wrinkles , if you have no iron?

If you are traveling and find yourself without an iron box or a board, the easiest way to remove the creases is to hang the garment on a clothes hanger in the bathroom before taking a hot shower. The steam from the bath will smooth out any creases.

 

All fabrics cannot be ironed – this is a fact. Some will not take the heat of an iron and remain the same, like fabrics with texture, and coated fabrics. Some will be destroyed completely like leather or faux leather. Some materials can be manipulated with the use of steam.

Then there are some fabrics like rayon, silk, acetate that look much better when you steam press them. Linen cotton and other thick fabrics behave better and the wrinkles disappear (this is difficult otherwise) when steam is applied. Aren’t all these enough reasons to get yourself a steam iron?

A steam iron double duties as a steamer and an iron. You can ignore the steam part and do the dry ironing on most of your clothes but some. For dealing with wrinkles on some difficult fabrics the secret weapon really is “steam”.

Steam makes fabric pliable, relaxed and even the most stubborn of all wrinkles and creases smoothens by itself without having to touch the surface with a hot iron. I hope I have such a steamer at home for my skin – one that smoothens out all the wrinkles.

Which fabrics/garments should be steam pressed?

When you have to deal with heavily embroidered fabrics, delicate fabrics, textured fabrics, leather and leather-like materials which may be damaged by direct contact with heat, a steam iron is the most trusted tool.

Fabrics with a pile like velvet behave better when you steam press them – ironing or pressing with a dry iron can flatten their pile and lose the texture and look.  

If there is shine on your fabric from previous incorrect ironing with a dry iron, you can remove them by using the steam.

In millinery, steam is used to manipulate felt, straw, and other hat-making materials. You can use a steam iron for this purpose if you want to make hats (though milliners use professional steaming equipment). For the wise man, even a grass straw is a weapon.

How to use the steam iron properly?

Keep the iron with the steam above your fabric (Your fabric should be right side up or the wrong side up depending on the type. Pile fabrics like velvet should be the wrong side up). Do not hold the steam too close to the material. When steam pressing silk and rayon use a pressing cloth as a barrier to prevent water spots.

There is a container in your steam iron to store water.  When you operate the steam iron, the heat converts the water to steam. The steam comes out through its many holes – it sprays the steam onto the fabric. The steam can be controlled through the knobs on the iron. The steam penetrates the fabric and smoothens even the most deep-set wrinkles.

Things to be careful of when you use a steam iron.

Water, heat, electricity – all dangerous things and they are combined in this machine. Take all necessary precautions. Steam itself is scalding.

After using steam iron for some time now there are some key things that I have learned to prevent mishaps with the steam iron:

Be careful with the steam function of any iron. Sometimes it is better to use a spray bottle with water instead of the iron’s steam function to avoid leaks. A common recommendation is to empty the iron after each use to prevent leaks.

Choosing a reputable brand that have reputation for not leaking. Some people have suggested professional gravity-fed irons, to me. They are more durable and have replaceable parts. These are irons meant for heavy-duty use, such as in a commercial laundry or tailoring shop.

Silk develops water spots and that can mar the look of the fabric. When steam is applied to silk there is a chance of this water spotting. Use a pressing cloth and do the steaming on the reverse side.

If you are using an ironing board, make sure that the pressing surface can take the steam and take it to the back otherwise the steam will collect on the garment itself. You need an ironing board holes and with a natural fabric covering. 

A garment with moisture is a mold magnet. After you steam press ensure that moisture is not remaining in the fabric before you take it to the wardrobe for storage. The moisture may cause mold growth.

Some fabric will dry with a ripple when the fabric is dry. In this case, you can iron using a dry pressing cloth to take out the moisture.

Use distilled water inside your steam iron. If you use ordinary water the mineral deposits will eventually fill inside the container and before long your iron will turn useless.

Clean your steam iron from time to time to prevent its pores from getting clogged from mineral deposits of water – you can try a home remedy for this. Take vinegar and water in a 1:2 ratio and pour it into the container in your steam iron. Use the steam iron. The steam with the vinegar will clear out the clogged openings. After this discard the water and fill again with distilled water.

Alternatives to a steam iron

A professional steamer is the best alternative to steam iron. The Steam is only for steaming. It looks like a rod with a showerhead that you can take to the narrow areas. It is a very practical tool when you are traveling. And comfortable to just hang and steam press

lBut if you do not have that, there are still some tools you can use instead of a steam iron – an electric kettle. The electric kettle with the steam spraying spout can work as your steaming tool but not effectively as a steamer.

ean your steam iron from time to time to prevent its pores from getting clogged from mineral deposits of water – you can try a home remedy for this. Take vinegar and water in a 1:2 ratio and pour it into the container in your steam iron. Use the steam iron. The steam with the vinegar will clear out the clogged openings. After this discard the water and fill again with distilled water.

Another option is to use the ordinary iron as a steam iron by using it with a dampened pressing cloth.