When we leave home and venture out into the wide world, many challenges await us. We learn all about the joys and tribulations of washing machines and cooking for us, for example, and we definitely learn about grocery budgets, rent, and the need for balance. However, if you’ve had a mother or father who kindly ironed your clothes, one of the hardest things to accept is that now you have to do it yourself. At first it seems easy (how hard can it be to rub a hot hunk of metal on a shirt?), But then you find out that it is indeed an art form that seems to have skipped a generation, and you’re at sea. trying to figure out how to get to work without looking like you’ve slept in your work clothes. Don’t despair anymore folks, because this article will give you all the advice you need to keep your office looking sharp, clean and wrinkle free!
Starting
First of all, it is important to fill the iron with distilled water rather than water straight from the tap. The reason for this is that tap water contains minerals that can be harsh and cause build-up and oxidation on the iron, which in turn could damage your clothes. Another thing to remember is to wait until the iron is hot enough before starting. Many modern irons have a light that indicates when it is warm enough, so be patient; otherwise you will have to iron the clothes twice. It’s crucial to look at the ironing instructions on your clothing label to make sure you don’t end up with a disaster zone front and center of your new shirt! Also, check what fabric your garment is made of and set the temperature on the iron accordingly; most models will have different settings for different types of fabric.
Ironing
Make sure the ironing board is set at the correct height so that you are comfortable and can maneuver properly. Don’t try to iron both sides of the material at the same time; Whenever possible, stretch the garment out on the ironing board to iron only one layer of fabric. The reason for this is that if you try to iron more than one layer, the bottom layer can often wrinkle without you noticing. Keep the iron moving at a steady pace and never leave the iron upside down without keeping it moving, as this will burn your clothes. For particularly tough creases and folds, use the steam function (usually a button on the top of the iron) which will give you the extra power needed.
Cleaning and maintenance
Taking care of your iron will not only ensure that it lasts a long time, but it will also protect your clothes from damage or ruin as a result of a faulty or dirty iron. A good idea to clean your iron is to fill the water tank halfway with white vinegar. Run the iron and iron an old towel until the vinegar is gone, and you will find that the acidity of the vinegar has cleaned the vents on your iron. Once you’re done, run another load of water to remove the vinegar smell before ironing the rest of the clothes.
Interestingly, we peruse ‘how-to’ instructions on everything from our refrigerators to our electric toothbrushes, but when it comes to ironing, many of us just improvise it, remaining frustrated for years until we hit our stride. Developing a technique that works is easy when you have the basic information, so get going now and enjoy wrinkle-free clothing forever!