Wrinkled shirts are one of the most common annoyances in any wardrobe, and most of us struggle to get them perfectly smooth. Surprisingly, the problem isn’t always the iron or the fabric, but it is the result of poor technique.
According to a survey conducted by Pretty You London, 56% of 18–24-year-olds in the UK said they do not feel confident using an iron. Some 27% of over-65s also admitted they’re hesitant, and 31% of 55–64s feel the same. Experts claim this is due to a lack of skill, and there’s one simple mistake that many Brits make that leads to creases, no matter how carefully you press your shirts: dry ironing.
Why you should iron whilst damp
According to an expert at Southern Living, “Don’t try to iron clothing straight from the washing machine or while it’s still wet. Wait until it is almost dry, but you feel some dampness.
“The combination of moisture and high heat makes it easier to iron out wrinkles in many cotton shirts, but don’t use a higher temperature setting than the care label calls for.”
If you made the mistake of completely drying your clothes, a home guru at The Spruce suggested lightly misting your garments with water, using your iron’s steam or spray function, or applying an ironing spray.
They also noted: “When ironing most fabrics, iron on the wrong side of the garment to prevent overheating that creates shine on the material.
“The shine effect is most noticeable on dark colours, silk, rayon, linen fabric, and acetates. For corduroy and textured fabrics, ironing on the wrong side prevents crushing.”
How to correctly iron shirts
A blog called I Hate Ironing revealed its simple guide to ironing shirts correctly. Here’s how to do it: To begin, unbutton the shirt and lay the collar flat, with the back of your shirt facing towards you.
Iron from the shirt body outward in long strides until smooth, then flip and press the other side. For cuffs, unbutton and lay flat, then iron the inside, then the outside.
Next, lay one sleeve flat and iron from the shoulder seam to the cuff in long, steady strides. Flip to press the other side, then repeat for the second sleeve.
To iron the front of the shirt, place it flat, starting with the button side. Iron from the armpit toward the centre, using the iron tip around buttons. Turn it inside out and press the centre strip again. Repeat for the button-hole side.
Finally, slip the shirt over the board with the back facing you. “Begin at the top of the yoke and iron downward in long sweeps, using your hand to hold the fabric taut and smooth out creases.”
