9 tips that will help you iron faster and better: advice from professionals

These professional ironing tips are proven and will help you get rid of even the most stubborn creases.

“The combination of water and steam is the key to ironing clothes efficiently. The damp cloth makes it easier to remove wrinkles and the steam helps set the results,” says Discovery+ host of Laundry Guy and author of The Love of Laundry, Patrick Richardson.

However, according to Patrick, the vast majority of irons do not generate enough steam. “If you think these wrinkles will stay on the shirt forever, this is why. The main secret to quick ironing is a spray bottle of water: keep it handy. Don’t just press the steam button: steam your clothes liberally while you work. “Generous is the key word here,” advises Richardson.

“The faster you iron your clothes, the better. Do not stack things in a pile – this is a sure way to complicate your task, because additional folds will appear on the fabric, says the author of the book Organic cleaning for the safety of the whole family. A Chemical-Free Home” by Becky Rapinchuk.

She advises starting as soon as items come out of the dryer or are dry, and setting aside separate time to work on multiple items in your wardrobe, rather than picking up the iron for just one blouse. “A lot of people are trying to figure out how to iron faster. But in reality, being a little more organized will pay off,” adds Becky.

Richardson recommends spraying starch spray not on the item sitting on the ironing board, but on the clothes hanging on the hanger – this will distribute the product evenly.

“Using starch is one of the best ironing tips I can give you. The spray is typically used on dress shirts, but it can be used on any cotton or linen garment, and is not only suitable for synthetic fibers,” says Patrick.

“I am often asked how to iron clothes made from delicate fabrics efficiently and quickly. It’s simple: you take a special net or napkin and place it on top – this will prevent the appearance of shiny areas. You can replace such an accessory with a handkerchief, a smooth cotton cloth or a diaper. However, keep in mind that this protective layer doesn’t mean you can ignore the iron’s settings: you should still choose the right ones for the item, says Richardson.

Many people think that fast ironing techniques require a lot of pressure and that the more force you apply, the better the result. “Actually, light to medium pressure is enough. If they don’t remove the wrinkles, you just need to add more water,” says Patrick.

Have you heard that steak should “rest” on the plate after cooking? Advanced ironing techniques are based on the same principle. “Have it ever happened that the wrinkles seemed to disappear, but as soon as you moved the fabric, they reappeared on the surface? Most likely, you just didn’t let the thing sit long enough for the material to harden and the results of your work to be preserved. Count to five before moving the item, so you don’t have to go over the same area more than once or twice,” says Richardson.

Remember how light pressure is enough? Becky Rapinchuk’s tips for making ironing easier are based on this axiom. “Place a rolled-up magazine in your sleeve, then hang the item on a hanger. The roll of paper will expand and can be used as an ironing board: run the iron over the fabric moving it around the sleeve,” she recommends.

“Do you want to know how to iron better? Avoid circular movements. Yes, this advice seems strange, because this is exactly how our mothers and grandmothers used iron. But as practice shows, such a trajectory only distorts things. Move in a straight line and in one direction and you will get great results,” says Becky.

“Do you need a quick iron?” The tips you find on the Internet are mostly about technology, but that’s not the main thing about homework. I haven’t done household chores alone for a long time and I am a member of an ironing club – we have two irons in our family and my husband or son usually joins me. It’s a great way to combine business with pleasure: not only do we put our clothes in order, but we also talk, and that’s expensive,” says Imogen.

Frankly, we really like his method, so we declare the stylist’s recommendation as the optimal ironing tip and advise you to put it into service!

Also read: 3 brilliant tips for those who hate ironing: no iron needed!

You don’t know which mode to choose? Follow two key tips from ironing professionals: first, read the manufacturer’s label recommendations, and second, iron a small, inconspicuous area of ​​the item (like the back of a collar) to ensure the temperature is adapted to the fabric.

Also read: How to choose the right temperature for washing: important tips from launderers

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