How to Iron a Dress Shirt

Face it…you can’t always ask your mom…

Get an Iron and Ironing Board

Fill an iron with distilled water (sold in bottles at the grocery store), especially if you plan on using thesteam setting (almost always recommended, especially for novices, as you are less likely to burn fabrics with the addition of mist and steam).

Set the Temperature Set the iron to the temperature

recommended on the care tag. 100% cotton and linen will need a high setting; cotton blends call for medium heat; and polyester, rayon, nylon, silk, acetate and acrylic, will all need a low heat setting. If you are unsure about the setting, be safe and use a cool iron.

Unbutton the shirt and unfold the collar.

Use a spray bottle filled with water to dampen cotton shirts (and only cotton shirts).

Start with the Collar

Iron the backside of the collar first, then the topside.

Next do the cuffs

Unbutton the cuffs and iron the inside, then the outside.

The Sleeves

Iron sleeves by sliding the sleeve over the point of the ironing board. Only the top of the sleeve will fit. Rotate the sleeve around until all sides have been pressed.

For the remainder of the sleeve, place it flatly on the ironing board, making sure that both the top and bottom layers are straight and smooth. Gently iron the sleeve without ironing a crease into the edges. Flip the sleeve and repeat

The front of the shirt Lay one side of the shirt’s front on the

ironing board, gently stretching the cloth flat against the board. Move the iron smoothly, at a medium speed, over the cloth. Never let the iron stop moving--it will leave a burn mark.

As you move the iron, make sure the fabric stays flat so you don’t accidentally iron a wrinkle into your shirt. If you do, spray it down and re-iron it.

Repeat for the back of the shirt and the opposite side.

Make sure to iron around the buttons, not on top of them.

Finishing Touches Always iron all parts of a shirt, even

though a coat and tie will cover certain areas.

Hang up your shirts immediately after ironing to keep them wrinkle free. Button the top and center buttons.