There is hardly a woman in the world for whom ironing men's shirts is her favorite pastime.
This is especially true for young housewives who have just plunged into the world of everyday “pleasures”.
However, if you study the intricacies and secrets of this process, then ironing may become, if not more enjoyable, but certainly more effective and faster.
Read the article about how to properly iron a men's or women's shirt.
Content
Where to start ironing a shirt?
In order to spend a minimum amount of time ironing one shirt, you need to prepare in advance all the necessary “tools”, which include:
Iron and ironing board.- A container of water, a household spray bottle (these tools will come in handy if the iron does not have a function for steaming things).
- Gauze cloth or a piece of cotton fabric (in principle, you can do without additional fabric, but only if you are sure that the surface of the iron does not leave marks on clothes).
To achieve a perfectly clean iron surface, you need to wash it regularly. using special products that are purchased at hardware stores.
For some surfaces, folk remedies that every housewife will probably have at home will also be effective: salt, paraffin candles, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, etc.
What mode should you iron on?
The temperature of the iron depends on the fabric the shirt is made from. To learn about all its features, you should carefully study the shirt's label; usually it contains all the necessary information on caring for the product, as well as the composition of the fabric.
Permissible temperatures for different fabrics (C):
cotton: 140-160;- silk: 60-70;
- cotton + polyester: 100-110;
- polyester: 60-80;
- acrylic: 70-100;
- viscose: 100-120;
- wool: 100-120;
- linen: 170-190.
All modern irons are equipped with a temperature sensor and have instructions for determining the heating temperature.
In more outdated models, “one point”, “two point”, “three point” modes are used to determine temperature:
- one point — temperatures up to 110 degrees;
- two points — temperature up to 150 degrees;
- three dots - temperature up to 200 degrees.
Is it possible to iron a wet item?
Before you start ironing your shirt, you need to prepare it for this process. First of all, the shirt must be clean, that is, pre-washed and dried.
You should not iron things that have been worn at least once.. Even if there are no visible stains on it, such a shirt will not look fresh after ironing.
It is impossible to iron a wet product, but it is also important to prevent the opposite from happening: that the fabric becomes too dry.
It is ideal if the fabric is slightly damp, that is, when you press it, moisture will not be released. During washing, it is advisable to turn on the “no wrinkles” mode, this will greatly simplify further work.
If a mistake is made and the shirt is dry, this can easily be corrected with just clean water and a spray bottle.
Ironing process
For experienced housewives, the process of ironing shirts has become automatic, but beginners will have to get the hang of it a little.
To simplify the work, we divide the product into appropriate zones:
- collar,
- cuffs,
- buttons,
- sleeves,
- back,
- front side.
There is no single algorithm that is universal for everyone, however, as a rule, ironing should begin with small elements.
Collar
The ironing process should begin from the collar area. When ironing this area, it is recommended to turn on the steam mode on the iron.
If there is no such mode, we will use water that we prepared in advance and a spray bottle. We try not to stretch the collar fabric, but keep it in place in an even position.
First we iron the collar area from the wrong side, then from the front side. We give the collar the desired shape and iron it again.
Button area
Gently iron between the buttons with the “nose” of the iron. The iron should be directed towards the sleeve.
We iron the button area on one side and the other.
Avoid getting iron on buttons, which, when in contact with a hot sole, can pay and ruin the fabric.
Cuffs
We iron the cuffs not folded, but after unfolding them. First we iron the cuff bar, and then the cuff itself, gradually “rolling” it.
Iron the cuffs from the inside, and then from the front. Gently but thoroughly iron all the grooves on the cuffs.
Sleeves
We iron the sleeve up to the stitching seam, lightly touching it. If you have a sleeve in your arsenal (a special device for an ironing board that imitates the shape of a sleeve), then it is most convenient to use it. If not, don't worry.
Back of the shirt
This is the main and largest part of the product. Mentally divide the back of the shirt into three parts (middle and side parts) and iron them in turn, gradually moving the shirt.
It is important not to touch the collar and sleeves of the shirt, which we have already ironed before.
Front side
Let's move on to the front side of the shirt - the shirttails with buttons. It consists of two parts - the right and left side. We try to prevent microfolds from forming under the iron.
Iron the front side to the yoke, collar and sleeves. Once again we pass the iron under the collar stand. We pay special attention to the pocket flaps on the front side (if any).
If you iron a shirt using this algorithm, then at the end of ironing it will look perfect. You just need to fold the shirt correctly or hang it on a hanger.
We fasten the buttons of the shirt, placing it on the ironing board. At this stage, we can eliminate existing shortcomings: iron out small details or creases, which were formed during the ironing process.
The GQ style video encyclopedia will tell you how to iron a shirt:
How to avoid arrows?
The easiest way to iron a shirt without creases is to use an ironing board sleeve.
In addition, you can iron a shirt without arrows using a steamer. You can read more about how to iron a shirt without wrinkles Here.
Ironing long and short sleeve shirts
Let's first consider two main types of models shirts:
- with long sleeve,
- short sleeve.
Of course, ironing a short-sleeved shirt is much easier; you just need to follow the algorithm described above.
If the sleeve of such a shirt is wide, you can pull it over the corner of the ironing board and iron it on both sides.
How does the process differ depending on the fabric?
It is much easier to iron a synthetic shirt, if only because such fabric is less susceptible to creases. But with a cotton one you will have to suffer, but this drawback is completely compensated by the advantages of such a shirt: cotton is a durable and breathable material that is much more pleasant to wear than synthetics.
The shirt should be slightly damp before ironing. The iron temperature should not be higher than 160 degrees. If the item is dry, you can correct the situation by ironing it through damp gauze. Read more about ironing cotton shirts - Here.
If there is no iron
If you are away from home and do not have the opportunity to use an iron, but you need to look your best you can use an old but effective secret.
To do this, the product must be placed as level and neatly as possible on a hanger and hung vertically in the bathroom while you take a shower.
The fabric will straighten when exposed to steam. and all that remains is to dry the shirt at room temperature.
You can find out about other ways to iron a shirt without an iron Here.
Alternatives
For most housewives, ironing is associated exclusively with the iron, which every family has.
These alternative options include:
- steamers,
- steam generators,
- ironing mannequins.
Steamer
One such alternative is a steamer. A high-quality steamer will cost at least 15 thousand rubles, simpler models can be purchased for 10 thousand rubles. A manual steamer can be purchased for a more modest amount - from 2 thousand rubles.
Its advantages include:
- more gentle effect on fabric;
- high speed ironing;
- can disinfect things with steam;
- It is impossible to burn or damage the item with a steamer.
Disadvantages of the steamer:
- high price;
- the device is quite large in size (if it is not a manual version);
- In any case, you will have to iron the small details of the shirt: collar, cuffs.
Steam generator
Another alternative option for manual ironing is a home steam generator. Their prices vary from 5 to 40 thousand rubles. (depending on the brand and power of the model).
The advantages of a steam generator include:
- You can iron thick fabrics and even folded items quickly and efficiently;
- ironing with such a device is quick and efficient thanks to the large amount of steam;
- fabrics retain their original appearance longer.
Disadvantages of the steam generator:
- you need a place to store it;
- the device is quite noisy;
- steam generators are not cordless.
Dummy
The most expensive alternative to an iron is an ironing dummy.
A household appliance costs at least 70 thousand rubles., and the price for a professional model reaches 200 rubles.
You can iron a shirt using such a device very quickly, however, due to the high cost and large size of the device, this is not the most popular “replacement” for an iron.
Read about special machines for ironing shirts In this article.
How much does the home delivery service cost?
For single men and housewives who do not have time to iron shirts a service for paid ironing of clothes was invented. You can give your shirts and other laundry to a cleaning company or invite your “wife for an hour” to your home.
The cost depends on the location of the agency (in the capital and large cities, services are more expensive) and the complexity of the work (the fabric from which the product is made).
We buy wrinkle-resistant products
An ideal option for those who absolutely do not want to waste time on ironing - purchase products that do not require one at all.
Such models are presented in the following brands:
- Marks&Spencer,
- Levis,
- Boss,
- other.
Most often, cotton is used to make such shirts, but the model is sewn in such a way that all the wrinkles on the fabric look stylish and appropriate.
You can also purchase a shirt that does not require ironing, made of synthetics (“crumpled” shirts), but such a product is unlikely to be comfortable to wear.
You can find out more about shirts that do not require ironing Here.
Conclusion
Ironing quickly, easily and flawlessly - fantasy or reality? Of course reality! You just have to adhere to the correct ironing algorithm and use all the secrets that can simplify this difficult task.
