Written by: Joe Button | 01st Aug 2011
If you're not a Betty Draper-like 50s housewife or dating/married to one, there's quite a high chance you don't know how to iron your shirt. Don't worry - there's nothing embarassing about it...we haven't exactly mastered the skill ourselves. We have a guidein the Learn section of the Joe Button site that will teach you how to iron your dress shirts properly, but in the meantime here are some excellent time-saver ironing tips that no one ever told you!!
Ironing Tips #101
- Hang your dress shirt in the bathroom while you're having a shower/bath. The hot steam will do a quick job of loosening out the wrinkles from your shirt.
- Buy an iron with a well built soleplate. Good ones are usually made of steel, titanium coated or cast iron with aluminium. This is important as it allows heat to be evenly distributed.
- Make sure your iron has a well built steam delivery system. Look at the holes at the bottom of your iron - good irons have over 300 little holes. An iron with a good steam delivery system can be used on more delicate fabrics and smooths out wrinkles with minimal work.
- Use starch for extra crispy shirts - but don't over-do it as it may wrinkle more when worn! You can make your own starch spray by dissolving one tablespoon of corn starch in 2 cups of water.
- Put a piece of aluminium foil under the ironing board cover so your iron is reflecting the heat back onto itself. This effectively means you are ironing both sides of your shirt at the same time but you have to be VERY careful and ensure you're constantly moving the iron so the shirt doesn't burn.
