What You’ll Need Before you plug in the iron and get started, there are a few things you’ll need first: Clean iron: This one might seem like an obvious point, but having a clean iron is super important. If your iron presents any rust or build-up, this can transfer onto your shirts, causing marks and stains. To test, iron an old, white pillowcase. If there are any marks or staining left behind, then you know that your iron needs a clean. To clean, mix one-part vinegar and one-part distilled water to properly get rid of any rust or build-up. Ironing board: Having an ironing board is essential for getting a crisp finish. If you don’t have an ironing board, you can use a table or a desk, and make sure that you cover the surface with a towel. However, an ironing board will make a huge difference to your ironing technique and finish. Clean shirt: No matter what shirt you are wanting to iron, whether it’s a cotton tee, a polo, or a long sleeve button down, DO NOT iron a dirty or stained shirt. If you have a shirt that isn’t clean, the heat of the iron will solidify that stain or dirt into the fibres, making it unwearable. Make sure you wash your shirts before you intend to iron them and especially if they have a stain. How to Iron a Shirt Once you have your items, the next step is to iron your shirt. When it comes to ironing, the steps can be used for a variety of different shirts and can be modified as you need for each style. Set Up Your Station Once you have your clean iron, ironing board, and shirt at the ready, set up your ironing board in an open space. Make sure you’re near to a power point so that you can plug in your iron without having to stretch the cord, which could become a tripping hazard. If you have a steam iron, ensure the water is filled to the suggested level. Set Your Temperature The next step is setting your iron temperature. There are few different temperatures to choose from, and it’s important to iron your shirt at the right temperature as to not ruin the garment. Low Heat: Synthetic fabrics like acrylic or nylon Low to Medium Heat: Woollen garments High Heat: Linen and Cotton Shirts Blended Fabric Garments: If your shirt is a blend of the above materials or you’re not sure what material it’s made of, stick to a low heat to begin with and increase if needed. Iron the Back of the Collar Start by ironing the back of the collar. Make sure that you iron from the outside of the collar inwards. If you iron from the middle out, it is more likely that you will crease the fabric. Flip the collar over and iron the other side, removing any extra creases. Iron the Cuffs Next up, iron the cuffs of the sleeves. Start on the inside of the cuffs using the same method of ironing from the outside in. Turn the cuff over and touch up the cuff. If your cuffs have buttons, don’t directly iron the buttons but manoeuvre around them carefully. Iron the Sleeves Smooth out the sleeve making sure that the underneath side is even to the side you’re ironing. If you are ironing a shirt with long sleeves, buttoning the cuffs can make it much easier to even out the fabric. Iron from the cuffs to the shoulder of the shirt first, as to avoid any gathering of fabric, which can cause more wrinkling. After this, you can work the iron into the sleeve making sure to flip the sleeve over and touch up any creases. Iron the Back of the Shirt Once you have tackled the sleeves, flip the shirt over to expose the back. Make sure that the underneath side is even with the side being ironed to prevent any extra creases. Depending on the type of shirt, whether it has a regular or pleated back, you will need to adjust your ironing technique. Regular Backs: For shirts with regular backs like a t-shirt or pullover, start from the top of the shirt and work your way down. Flip the shirt over and touch up any creases that may have formed. Pleated Backs: If you are ironing a shirt with a pleat on the back, especially a dress shirt, oxford shirt, or a linen shirt, you will have to adjust your ironing. Start at the top and first iron under the pleat and then iron on top of the pleat. This will ensure that the pleat is crisp. Continue to work the iron down the rest of the back. Iron the Front of the Shirt Ironing the front of the shirt is very similar to ironing the back of the shirt. Start by laying one side down on the shorter end of the ironing board. Move the iron from the top of the shirt down to the bottom. If your shirt has buttons on one side, carefully manoeuvre the iron around the buttons, being sure not to press the iron down onto the buttons. Finish by Hanging Up Your Shirt Once you have successfully ironed your shirt, place it on a hanger to cool. Once cooled, it can then be folded and put away or left on the hanger. Ironing Tips When you start ironing, there are some general tips and tricks that can help make the process a little easier: Ironing your shirt when damp: Instead of putting your shirt through the dryer, try ironing your shirt once it has finished its wash cycle. This will speed up the time it takes to dry your shirt, plus it will remove creases exceptionally fast. After ironing, make sure to hang your shirt up on a hanger to let it dry completely. Iron your shirts together: To save time, wash and iron your shirts at the same time. It will take the same amount of time to set up your iron whether you are ironing one shirt or eight. This will make sure that if you have to go to a business meeting or event last minute, your shirts are all ready to go. Have a spray bottle handy: Sometimes when ironing, there are some wrinkles and creases that the iron can’t get rid of. That is where a spray bottle comes in super handy. Spray the area with water and then iron, letting the steam and heat do the work. This will save you heaps of time ironing the same spot. Invest in Easy Care Shirts: If you are super busy and don’t have time to iron shirts all the time, GAZMAN’s exclusive range of easy care shirts are the perfect addition to your wardrobe. Designed to be a low fuss, low crease, and easy and quick ironing, these shirts are perfect for those who have limited time. Designed in both tailored and loose cuts, easy care shirts can be worn in the board room and on the green with ease. What Are the Benefits of an Ironed Shirt? There are many benefits of wearing an ironed shirt, from looking good, all the way to saving time and money: Makes you look put together: An ironed shirt can say a lot about who you are, and it is clearly noticeable to others. For example, if you wear a shirt that has a wrinkle, a stain, or is clearly not ironed to an interview, no matter how qualified, attentive, or perfect you are for the job, if you don’t look smart, it is less likely that you will have another interview. Shirts have a longer life span: Ironing your shirts is a great way to care for your shirts and helps to extend the life and lustre of the fibres. Ironing will make them look refreshed and more vibrant, meaning you can wear your favourite shirts time and time again and with just a little bit of ironing, will keep them looking like new. Save money: Ironing your shirts can also help you save money. Instead of sending your shirts to the dry cleaners every week, which can add up very quickly, try ironing your shirts from home using the tips above to save time and money. How you look and present yourself to the world can say a lot about who you are as a person. When it comes to special events and important meetings, look smart and put together with an ironed shirt is essential. Not only will you make a good impression, but it will help you set the tone for how you want to be perceived both at work and in your social life. Shop the range of men’s shirts from GAZMAN now.