By learning how to iron a shirt properly, including smoothing the collar and cuffs, you help yourself make the right first impression in any setting. Start with a damp or lightly misted shirt, taking care to work smoothly from top to bottom. Starting with the collar and then the cuffs, you iron the sleeves, across the shoulders and yoke, and focus on finishing the front and back panels of the shirt smoothly.
Why do you need to learn how to iron a dress shirt?
Learning to iron a shirt is important when you want to make the right first impression. While the lived-in look is often fine for meeting friends or hanging out, something more formal is often required for meals out, work environments, and trips away. By knowing how to make these important adjustments to the way you look, you will be able to present a suitable image no matter where life takes you.
The first thing is to iron the collar
Pop the collar up when the top button is undone and lay it flat on the ironing board or stable surface you have chosen to work on. With the inner side facing upwards at you, work across the surface of the collar in a smooth, calm motion, moving from the outside points to the center. If you go the other way, you might curl or bunch the collar. The tip of the iron will come in useful with this motion, and once done, flip the collar over, fold it down, and lightly press the exposed top surface.
Now focus on the unbuttoned cuffs
Undo the buttons, lay the cuffs flat, and start with the inner surface before flipping them and working on the outside. For both sides, you’re always working in a smooth motion. Take care to use the tip of the iron to work your way around the buttons, making sure that you don’t come into direct contact with them, as they may melt or crack, depending on the material.
Learn how to iron dress shirt sleeves
Lay the first sleeve on your ironing board, taking care to make sure it is flat and that the two layers that make up the sleeve are correctly aligned. Any misalignment at this stage will affect the crease. Work smoothly from armpit to cuff, only firmly pressing down on the folded edge if you want a sharp crease. Repeat this process with the other sleeve, and you are then ready for the next step.
How to iron a shirt: smooth the shoulders and yoke
Place the first armpit of your dress shirt so that it is held over the narrow end of your ironing board. You’re looking to make sure that you hold the shoulders and yoke in one place, so adjust until you’re comfortable before pressing the area flat. Repeat this technique for the other armpit of the shirt, and you will get a nice smooth finish.
How to iron a shirt: smooth the front and back panels
Taking your time with this final step is important. Hang the back of the shirt over the ironing board, taking care to work across the back panel from top to bottom. As with all ironing tasks, focus on smooth, continuous motion. You will finish at the hem and then turn your attention to the front panel. Begin with the button placket side, making sure you navigate the buttons using the tip, just as you did with the cuffs a little earlier. The final step is to work your way down from the shoulders to the hem, always in that nice smooth motion you have been practising throughout the process.
Final thoughts on ironing shirts
Mastering the correct ironing technique is helpful and important, but you may decide that, even when you are quick, it is still too time-consuming. There are also options like automatic ironing machines that will gently steam fabric to smooth out wrinkles at a lower heat than your regular iron. If you want a hands-free option that allows you to multi-task in a busy family home, this may be an alternative approach that you wish to consider.
If you would like to learn more, FTC, the Federal Trade Commission, has an online guide on fabric care symbols that will provide you with further details.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does ironing a shirt take?
Ironing a shirt typically takes around 5 minutes for a full-sleeve shirt that has buttons. You may have to practice the technique a couple of times before you feel quick and efficient using it to smooth out the wrinkles.
- How do you store a freshly ironed shirt?
Hang it on a rail or in your closet as soon as you’re finished ironing. That way, the heat will dissipate and the fabric will hold its shape, avoiding re-wrinkling. If you toss it to the side and continue with your pile of laundry, it will soon wrinkle again.
- Are automatic ironing machines suitable for ironing shirts?
Yes, automatic ironing machines use steam to gently relax the fibers that make up the fabric, allowing the wrinkles to fade away and eventually smooth out. They also don’t apply intense heat directly to the shirt in the way that conventional hand-held irons do.
- Should I iron shirts when they are dry?
No, shirts need to be lightly damp so that you can iron them properly. You should also avoid trying to iron a completely soaking wet shirt. Choose the middle ground of a lightly damp shirt to achieve the best results when ironing.
