Ironing is a task we've all done before. But it can be a tedious and sometimes even time-consuming chore! Luckily, we've got a few tips to make your life easier and help you iron your clothes in no time. In this article, we share our top five tips for ironing your clothes quickly and efficiently.
Gradually adjust the temperature of the iron
Does your iron keep sticking to your favourite clothes and damaging them?
This usually happens if the temperature setting has not been adjusted to suit the fabric of your clothes. However, even after adjusting it, if you don't wait a few minutes but start immediately ironing trousers and shirts, they may stick to the hot iron. There's a relatively simple solution to this problem: always start with a low setting.
If you are unsure of the correct setting, start with the lowest temperature and gradually increase to a higher temperature to prevent the heat from burning your clothes. You should also take care to avoid direct contact with zips, buttons, etc. so as not to scratch the soleplate. This could damage the non-stick coating and make it difficult to press cleanly and evenly.
Adjust the temperature for each fabric
Do you have a generator or an iron with a constant heat setting? There's no need to choose or adjust the temperature of your iron.
If you have a traditional iron or steam generator, first sort your clothes by fabric type. Start with the coldest temperature and work your way up to jeans and heavier fabrics.
- For slightly damp silk, use a low temperature and no steam.
- Wool, polyester and viscose: moderate steam and medium temperature.
- Cotton and linen: use a hot iron on slightly damp clothes.
Use demineralised water
Are you having trouble ironing your clothes smoothly and efficiently?
To save time when ironing, spray your clothes with demineralised water. This makes slightly damp fabric more pliable. This makes it easier to smooth out creases with just a few strokes of the iron. So to avoid the creased effect and get a smooth press when you iron, try using a water spray!
Remember to decalcify your iron
Does your iron have a build-up of limescale around the steam vents?
When you use an iron (or steam generator iron), using demineralised water is highly recommended. But once you've finished ironing, what should you do?
Ideally, you should get rid of water because it can lead to a build-up of dirt and minerals. Prolonged exposure to minerals such as limescale will eventually block the steam holes, consequently degrading the iron's performance over time.
Use a steamer
Tired of endless ironing sessions?
Try a steamer! An excellent device for quickly freshening up clothes that you've already worn or that have been in your wardrobe for a long time, you can now stop using a sleeve board or even a full ironing board. Once you've taken your clothes out of the tumble dryer, place them on their hangers, switch on your steamer and you’re off!
Highly effective even on delicate fabrics, steamers allow you to remove wrinkles from a shirt in five minutes, without even using an ironing board. A phenomenal time and space saver!
An excellent alternative to an iron, this fast, efficient appliance will revolutionise the way you smooth creases out of your clothes. So whether you opt for a portable or vertical steamer, say goodbye to wrinkles in even the thickest clothes!