How to properly iron men’s shirts

Few people like ironing shirts with a crumpled collar and long sleeves that constantly have arrows on them. Today’s steam irons make it easier. Especially if you know a few tricks. Let’s take it step by step with the Cleanipedia experts on how to iron a man’s shirt quickly and perfectly.

Proper preparation for ironing shirts begins with checking the iron’s work surface: it must be perfectly clean so as not to spoil the fabric.

How to make ironing easier

You’ll spend less energy ironing if you wash and dry your shirt properly. Be sure to add fabric softener and choose the “easy iron” cycle if your washing machine has one. The item will be less likely to wrinkle during the spin cycle. Take the shirt out right after the wash, straighten it out and hang it on hangers, but don’t let it dry all the way. Iron an overdried item is much more difficult. Prepare everything you will need in advance:

Iron. Be sure to clean its sole with a special chalk from a hardware store;

Ironing board. If there is no ironing board, take a large piece of thick thick fabric and put it on a table, a sofa or other flat surface;

Water in a spray bottle (if your iron doesn’t steam);

A removable iron soleplate. This extra device helps iron a black shirt without leaving marks, but not every model has one. Instead, a special ironing net or a large piece of gauze will do.

Buy a starch spray that makes it easier to iron over-dried clothes and fragrance them. They also sell fragrance-free products.

First, let’s understand how to iron the collar of a man’s shirt. This is the part where you start ironing the product. An over-dried collar is better ironed with a steam iron. If there is no such function, use a starch spray or spray regular water.

First iron from the edge to the center of the collar from the wrong side. Then iron from the front, but don’t pull the fabric too tight.

Collars

After the collar, iron the shoulders of the shirt (basque). Spread them out, place them on the edge of the board, and iron in the direction from the outer edges to the middle. It’s easiest to iron the shoulders with the spout of an iron with a steam mode.

Sleeves

The most difficult area of a man’s shirt to iron is the long sleeves. Iron the cuffs first. Pre-unzip them and iron both sides. Then fold the sleeves along the seam and iron slowly. Try not to touch the edges, otherwise creases will appear. The sleeves are easiest to iron in steam mode, so that the iron barely touches the fabric.

Button and buttonhole section

Spread out the shirt and use your spout to iron the button section (also called the shelf) without touching it. Lightly stretch the fabric in the direction of the longitudinal thread. Then go over the buttonhole section.

Back and front

At the very end, iron the back and front of the shirt. They are the largest, so they are the easiest to iron. Iron the fabric from the front first, then straighten the shirt and iron it from the back. Be sure to iron the areas along the seams so there are no creases.

How to properly iron a shirt with long sleeves without arrows

Let’s elaborate on ironing long sleeves. The easiest way to fold them along the seam and iron from the front side. But on the sleeves will immediately appear arrows, and the shirt can be worn only under the jacket. The ideal option is to buy an underarm, which looks like a tiny ironing board about 50 cm long. Put the sleeves on it one by one and steam from the front side. You can use a rolled up towel instead of an underarm. Thread it through the sleeve and iron the fabric.

How to iron a short sleeve men’s shirt quickly and perfectly

A short sleeve shirt is ironed the same way as a long sleeve shirt. Start with the collar and end with the back. But short sleeves are much easier to iron. Pull them over the edge of a regular ironing board (the undersleeve is too narrow) or spread them out on a flat surface, lift one edge of the sleeve and iron from the inside.

What mode to iron your shirt on

Always read the label so you don’t burn your shirt. It indicates the type of fabric, which determines the temperature of the iron:

Silk and synthetic shirts are ironed at the lowest temperature possible, up to 120℃. Synthetics are easiest to iron because they crease little after washing and when worn;

Wool clothes can withstand temperatures up to 160-170 ℃;

Cotton, tweed, denim and linen shirts are the toughest, so iron well only at the maximum temperature of 210-220 ℃. It is advisable to steam dried and wrinkled items at the same time.

Do not exceed the temperature setting in order to iron the garment faster. Most modern models of irons have graduations indicating the temperature. But the labels most often show the iron with dots inside. So it is important to know that one dot indicates the permissible temperature up to 110-120 ℃, two – up to 140-160 ℃, three – up to 190-210 ℃.

Do not spare money for a quality iron with steam function and a stable board that is adjustable in height. Modern devices make the unpleasant process of ironing men’s and women’s shirts as easy as possible.

FAQs about ironing

At what temperature should shirts be ironed?

Information on temperature is usually found on the label on the garment. Silk and synthetics can handle up to 120 ℃, wool – 160-170 ℃, cotton, denim, linen – 210-220 ℃.

Where do I start to iron my shirt?

All shirts start with the collar. Then move on to the shoulders and sleeves. Next handle the area with buttons and loops. Finish ironing the front and back.

How to iron a shirt with short sleeves?

The sequence of operations is exactly the same as described above. The only thing: short sleeves are stretched over the edge of the ironing board, without using the undersleeve.