Ironing technique & fixing mistakes

What to have ready

• Iron (clean plate)
• Ironing board
• Distilled water
• Spray bottle
• Clean white cloth

Steps

1. 1

   Sort garments by the care label dots: one dot = cool, two = medium, three = hot. Check the iron plate is clean — a dirty iron marks clothes.

2. 2

   Fill the iron with water, distilled if you have it, to avoid chalky buildup.

3. 3

   Start on the coolest setting with the coolest garment and work upward — heating an iron is quick, cooling it is not.

4. 4

   No steam iron? Mist the garment lightly with water, or take items out of the dryer slightly damp.

5. 5

   Iron with a slow, steady W-pattern and moderate pressure. Keep the iron moving so you never scorch the fabric.

6. 6

   Use the pointed tip for collars, cuffs and pockets. Never iron over metal or plastic fittings.

7. 7

   Delicate or shiny-prone fabric: put a really clean white dish towel or pillowcase between the iron and the garment.

8. 8

   Hang each garment straight away when it is done.

9. 9

   FIXING MISTAKES — ironed a wrinkle in? Spray it with water and iron it again. Shiny gleam on the fabric? Stroke it out with a red lint brush, or wipe with a damp clean white cloth.

10. 10

    Empty the reservoir after every ironing session — stagnant water is what stains clothes later.

Slide a sheet of aluminium foil under the board cover: it reflects heat back through the garment and halves your time.