Ironing

Ironing is the best method to create a crisp finish for cotton and linen items. However, applying
direct, high heat on fibers is intense and should be done with caution.
Ironing Tips for Best Results
Before you iron any item, read its fabric label:
The tag will tell you if the item can be ironed and which iron setting you should use, and how
exactly to iron your dress pants, and other items. .
Test synthetic fabrics: Dress ironing, and ironing dress pants requires testing. Test a small area
to ensure it's safe to iron the item. Cottons and linens are always safe to iron.
Iron inside out:
We recommend ironing items inside out in the event that the iron leaves a mark.
Use a pressing cloth for certain items:
If you're ironing a delicate, silk, or embellished item, we recommend you use a clean, white,
lint-free cotton pressing cloth between the iron and the item. Flour sacs or hankies also work
for this purpose. We use our Lint-Free Cleaning Cloths.

Embellished items:
Be careful when ironing beading, sequins, or embroidery; you could melt the embellishments or
hardware. You could also press the item into the fabric, leaving marks on the other side. A
pressing cloth will help protect embellished items.
Cotton and linen are best when ironed damp:
If the item is dry, it helps to spray the area damp before pressing.
Never iron wool, velvet, or corduroy—on any setting.
Beware of overly hot irons:
They can burn, melt, or leave scorch marks behind, especially on synthetics. Or, they could
press unwanted marks into the fabric. To avoid a mess—just test!
To reduce ironing time:
Spray our Crease Release on clean, dry items before you iron.
To add scent:
Add ironing water for added fragrance. We use our Ironing Water.
For a crisp press:
Add starch for an extra-crisp press. We use our Stiffen Up.
How to Iron a Dress Shirt
Prep: To iron a dress shirt, start with checking for grime on the bottom of the iron and clear the
ironing board of debris.
Start Wet: Cotton and linen items that require pressing should be removed from the dryer
while still damp. If the items are dry, it helps to spray the area damp before pressing.
Heat Setting: Adjust the iron temperature to match the fabric indicated on the tag. For an
oxford cloth shirt, use “cotton/linen.” For synthetics, test a small area to ensure it’s safe to iron.
Add a capful of Ironing Water to your iron for a fragrant finish and to ease ironing.
Never iron wool, velvet, or corduroy as ironing will crush or flatten the natural pile.
Starch:
While ironing cotton, linen, and durable synthetics (such as polyester), spray with Stiffen Up
from 6 inches away for a crisp finish. Never starch silk, silk-like fabrics, delicate synthetics, wool,
cashmere, and wool-like fabrics.

Collar & Cuffs

Collar:
Pop the collar and iron from the tips toward the middle. Iron the inside, flip, and do the outside.
Don’t turn down the collar until the rest of the shirt is ironed. Be careful not to iron a crease
into the collar.
Cuffs:
Starting on the inside, iron from the bottom edge toward the sleeve. Flip the cuff and repeat.
Also poke the tip of the iron into the pleat(s) just above the cuff.
Sleeves & Yoke
Sleeves on ironing boards:
Hold up and tug taut along the seam so you’ve got a crisp, straight fold from shoulder to cuff.
Lay the sleeve on the board, and ensure both layers of the fabric are smooth. To easily correct
any creases, do the back of the sleeve first and save the front for last.
In long sweeping strokes, iron a straight solid crease. Slide the armpit part of the sleeve over
the tip of the ironing board, and iron flat the shoulder.
Yoke:
Staying in that position, hit the yoke (the double-layer strip that connects the collar to the shirt
body). Swing the iron from shoulder to mid-back. Switch shoulders and repeat.
Trunk, Back, Front & Done
Front non-button side: In long strokes from the collar moving down, start with the placket (the
front strip with the buttonholes).
Pocket: Iron from the bottom up.
Back: Iron below the yoke from top to bottom.
Front button-side: Maneuver the tip of the iron, weaving in and around the buttons.
Done: Hang it up so you don’t have to do it again (wooden or well-shaped hanger preferred).

How to Iron Pants

Many people like to iron their pants for a crisp finish. Note that pants containing wool,
cashmere, wool blends, or wool-like synthetics should never be ironed—steaming is best. Some
ironing tips for best results:
Iron Setting:
Select the proper iron setting according to the fabric care label. For cotton pants, use the
Cotton setting; for synthetics such as polyester, use the Synthetic setting.
Waistline:
Press the waistline, zipper/placket, and other areas with double or thick material such as the
hems.
Pockets:
When ironing pockets, lay pants flat, and turn them inside out if you're not able to reach the
pockets otherwise. Be careful pressing the exterior areas directly over the pockets. You do not
want a pocket outline!
Legs:
Press the pant leg from the top to the bottom, sliding the iron straight. Then rotate the pants.
Pleats:
If the item has pleats, make sure you're pressing along the pleat line—you don't want to create
new pleats.
Hems & Cuffs:
Press the pant hems and cuffs both from the inside and the outside for a proper finish.
Avoid Wrinkling:
Iron the item in a manner that prevents previously pressed areas of the garment from wrinkling
as you work.
Silk, silk blends, and silk-like and delicate synthetics are often too sensitive for direct contact
with an iron—they could burn, melt, or scorch. The best method to finish delicate items is to
steam them using a steamer. If you don't have a steamer, you can set the iron to the “Steam”
function and hover over the item without touching it.
If you choose to iron delicate items, you must set the iron to the Silk, Delicates or lowest
temperature setting. If the item label reads “Do not iron,” then don't iron the item—trust us.

To steam a delicate item:

Test first:
Test a small area to ensure it's safe to iron the item.
Iron inside out:
We recommend ironing items inside out in the event that the iron leaves a mark.
Use a pressing cloth:
Use a clean, white, lint-free cotton pressing cloth between the iron and the item. Flour sacs or
hankies also work. We use our Lint-Free Cleaning Cloths.
Embellished items:
Be careful when ironing items with beads, sequins, or embroidery; you could melt the
embellishments or hardware. You could also press the item into the fabric, leaving marks on the
other side. A pressing cloth will help protect embellished items.
What Not to Iron
Wool, velvet, or corduroy:
Don't iron items made from any of these fabrics—on any iron setting.
Materials with pile, such as terrycloth:
Ironing crushes the pile of these materials. Don't iron them.
Silk, silk blends, silk-like material, and delicate synthetics:
These fabrics are often too sensitive for direct contact with an iron—they could burn, melt, or
scorch. The best method to finish delicate items is to steam them using a steamer. If you don't
have a steamer, you can set the iron to the “Steam” function and hover over the item without
touching it.
If you choose to iron delicate items, you must set the iron to the Silk, Delicate or the lowest
temperature setting. If the item label reads “Do not iron,” don't iron the item—trust us.
Ironing vs. Steaming
Not sure which path to take? Steaming provides the safest and gentlest finish for laundry items,
releasing wrinkles for a natural finish. Not only does steaming avoid any risks posed from
ironing (such as burning and unintended creasing), but the steam kills most germs and bacteria,
which helps eliminate odors. We only iron items when we want an extra-crisp finish.