Is there a proper way to iron things?

Question

For my work, I like to have nicely ironed clothes. I'm 20 from Ohio, working in LA, and I was never taught the "proper" way to iron. I just sort of wiggle the iron back and forth until it looks flat. Are there certain creases that look good? Any help would be appreciated.
I usually wear a button-down shirt with a business-casual skirt or pants.

Answer 1

Put it on the highest setting for that fabric. Start with the fabrics that take the lowest setting first. If they are dry-clean only, do not use steam. If they aren't, use steam.

Blouses- In order- cuffs, sleeves (both sides), collar, shoulders front, shoulders back, then start on the front of one side and move around the shirt to the front of the other side. Hand immediately. Use hangers that "fit" the clothing right, IE, the shoulders should lie all the way across the hanger before the sleeve drops down off the end of the hanger. Button the blouse on the hanger.

Skirts- In order- waistband, any pleats; then the skirt from one side to the other, turning as you go; if it has a zipper, close the zipper and iron over it last. Hang on an appropriate hanger with the zipper closed.

Jackets/blazers- Begin with both sides of each sleeve, then the collar, then the shoulders, then the front to back to front as with the blouse. Again, use an appropriate hanger with the buttons buttoned.

Slacks- waistband first, then the upper area (butt and abdomenal area) first unzipped, then zipped. Decide if you want to crease them or not. If they came with a crease, best to keep it. Try to keep the same crease as original one. Use an appropriate hanger. I like to use skirt hangers to avoid having any wrinkles from folding over the hanger.

If you have a polyester blend fabric or wool fabric or an expensive suit or any kind of specialty fabric, you should also use a pressing cloth. You can buy one or you can buy a piece of flannel or use an unused cloth diaper for this purpose. The idea is to do the ironing as you would have anyway, but use the pressing cloth between the fabric and the iron to keep from getting those "shiny" spots on the fabric.

Answer 2

Generally the "shake it" technique doesn't work well. Make sure that you use the right temperature on your iron for the clothes you are ironing. Once the iron is hot, use slow steady strokes across the cloth.

For shirts, start by ironing the collar on the outside, then on the inside (let it hang over the tip of the ironing board).,

Next do the sleeves. Hand press them from the seam across, then iron. Do not iron the cuff.

When both sleeves are ironed, then iron the cuff flat.

Then do the button strip (upside down), then the buttonhole side.

Then, you're ready to do the larger pieces of the shirt.

For pants, line up the inside leg seams with the outside leg seams. Iron from the bottom (or cuff if there is one) up to the crotch, but not further. Put the waist of the pant over the tip of the board, then iron around the waist and hip areas.

Answer 3

Well the Iron has settings for the heat certain materials can take. And also a button to push for warm water to spray out onto the clothes to soften hard core creases. before you iron them out.
BUT....NEVER SPRAY SILK...It will discolor until the next washing!
The creases that look good go with the flow of the material. so I could say a sharp crease in the front and back of the pants look good, IF the Pants are wool, If they are summer cotton then no crease, iron side seam to side seam. Just judge by what you see around you!

Answer 4

Steam works better, check your garment for the right temperature and you can even use a damp towel over the garment if you don't have steam ..
I have always done the arms first.. make a pleat then iron the other side.. one way should do it.. then the body of the shirt starting at the neckline..
Its really hard to explain on here, maybe you can ask a friend if they iron .. its easier to watch and learn than to read directions.. at least that is what I find..
And a good ironing board is a must if you iron often..

Answer 5

I like to Iorn my clothes inside out then you wont get any possible stains on the outside of the clothing. Always check what type of fabric you are iorning and set the iorn to the proper setting. You can also use a spray starch. iorn any sleeves last.