5 important rules for ironing

Ironing may seem simple enough, but it's easy to ruin a piece of clothing with bad ironing techniques. Here are some quick ironing tips.

Buying permanent-press or loose clothing, which require no ironing compared to tailored garments, is one way to reduce your time behind a hot iron. Here are some others:

• Hang clothing immediately after wearing to avoid wrinkling.
• When travelling, roll garments softly instead of folding flat.
• Hang a garment in the bathroom while the shower is on. The steam will loosen or even eliminate wrinkles.
• Buy a clothing steamer, available in department stores or luggage shops, to gently steam out wrinkles. It can also save on unnecessary trips to the dry cleaner.

• Take the time to pin pleats in place at top and bottom is a good way to start.
• Begin at the hem and work towards the top, removing pins as necessary without ironing over them.
• If pleats need to be very sharply creased, press each side separately.

• You don't want to iron your clean clothes with a dirty iron, so make sure the soleplate is clean each time you use it.
• Most irons can be cleaned with a household spray cleaner, but check the manufacturer's instructions for recommended cleaning products.
• You can also remove residue by rubbing the heated iron on a clean rag before using.
• If the iron has melted a synthetic fabric, heat the iron. When it's hot, scrape off as much residue as possible with a wooden utensil before applying a cleaner.

For best ironing results, use specific ironing techniques for different fabrics and clothing. Here are some of the best ways to remove wrinkles from typical fabrics and garments:

• Corduroys: Place right side down on a padded ironing board and steam-press with little pressure.
• Cottons: Place right side up and steam or dry-press. Turn dark cottons inside out to avoid fading.
• Embroidery and laces: Place right side down on white towel or terrycloth. Steam-press with little pressure.
• Knits: Set the iron on knit setting and press and lift iron. Do not drag across the fabric as this can damage the garment.
• Metallics: Set iron on cool. Press lightly, using a thin pressing cloth.
• Velvet: Do not iron. Hang near steamy shower and let air-dry.
• Wools: Place right side down and steam-press using a pressing cloth.

Ironing not only helps you look great, it can keep your clothes looking better for longer. By using the right techniques on the right clothes, you can become an ironing master, and look good doing it.