Ironing clothes seem complicated for some people. The dials can look confusing, but they’re not that difficult to understand once you know what they’re for.

Before Ironing. You need a proper setup before you begin. You will need the following: iron, ironing board, and spray bottle with water. There are types of irons for different needs. A basic clothes iron will do for any task. They are cheap too. Ironing boards have materials that are flame retardant. Pick one that you can store and use easily.

 

Identify the Fabric. If you need to iron a pile of clothes, group them according to the type of fabric. Some irons usually have a guide on the dials for the type of fabrics. If you don’t know what the fabric is, check the label on your clothes. The label usually has instructions for the proper iron setting that you should use.

 

Thermostat Settings. To avoid damaging the clothes, especially printed shirts, flip the clothes on the wrong side so that you can iron at the back. The lowest iron setting is used for acetate. The highest setting is for cotton and corduroy. Some irons have temperatures printed on the dial instead of numbers usually from 1 to 7.

 

Ironing your Clothes. Begin with clothes that require the lowest temperature then slowly move up to the highest. Switching the temperatures will require a few minutes for the iron to cool down before you can use it again.

Ironing Shirts. When ironing shirts, start with the sleeves. Make sure you open all the cuffs and undo the buttons. Next, do the collar if there is any. Just like the sleeves, it should be layed flat when you iron. Finally, iron the rest of the shirt.

 

Ironing Pants. Line up the stitches properly before you start ironing. Start from the bottom of the pants. If you want a crease, fold each leg equally by aligning the stitches and the seams. The same procedure can be done for your shorts.

 

Ironing Skirts. If the skirt flares, start at the bottom. The pleats in a pleated skirt should be ironed singly. Some skirts are made of fabrics that do not need to be ironed. Some also have creases in the design.

 

Ironing Wrinkles. Spray water on fabrics that are too wrinkled. The steam created when pressed will help flatten the wrinkles. There are irons that come with a spray head for easy use. There are also sprays available in the market that are made specifically for ironing.

 

Starch Spray. Some people want that crisp look on their shirts. You can make a starch spray by mixing water and cornstarch in a spray bottle. Remember to spray lightly and don’t use too much heat when ironing.

 

After Ironing. Hang your clothes properly in a hanger when you’re done. Don’t leave the house before unplugging the iron. Make sure to also empty the water compartment in the iron if it has any. The ironing board can be folded and stored in a closet.