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Iron Like A Pro Part I

Now is the time for us to answer a question men may have never asked…. or maybe you have? The question is, What Is The Best Way To Iron A Shirt?

Yes, we know you’ve all suffered from this. That feeling that you have when you just knw, deep down inside, that EVERYONE is staring at you when you go out in public or go to the office. What are they starring at you may ask? Well, its’ likely your hideously crumpled and wrinkled shirt that looks like you just dragged yourself in from the nearest civil war – you know the look – the “fresh from the bottom of your over-packed suitcase” look…. the “I’m single and not loving it” look… the dress shirt that looks more like an exercise in modern-grunge sculpture than an actual piece of clothing? Well you get the point.

In this two part article, we’ll explore the actual “art of ironing” and how you can “press on” with a properly steamed shirt. Crisp and Clean never really goes out of style.

Our first installment will discuss the tools you’ll need to iron effectively…

Tool #1: A Proper Iron

There are particular ways to identify a proper iron. You’ll need to locate an iron with a well built soleplate. A soleplate is of course the surface that makes contact with your clothing. Is it possible that you’ve used an iron in the past that left rust marks or water stains on your clothes? How about the temporarily mortifying sensation you get when your iron “sticks” to your clothes? We’ve all had that happen, so pay attention to your soleplate. You’ll find irons with soleplates made from materials such as solid steel, titanium coated, and cast iron with aluminium just to name three solid options. We really critique our irons here at Home Appliance Deals Online to be sure that you are indeed getting a high quality soleplate. A good indicator of a quality iron (while certainly not the only indicator) is the retail price. Low retail prices may indicate poor quality, which will reflect in (among other things) the quality of the soleplate. Damaging one nice piece of clothing can blow your investment altogether.

High Heat Capability – Most irons on the market today average between 420 watts on the compact end to 1800 watts and above for the super-high quality irons. While the power consumption plays a part in the overall amount of heat put forth by the iron, it is not the only deciding factor. Generally speaking though, the higher the wattage the hotter it well get and the faster it will heat up. The need for higher heat comes into play when dealing with particular fabrics such as cotton and linen. The fabric requires a high temperature in order to properly “reform” their shape – not to mention a hotter iron simply reduces the time needed to iron.

Did you know that proper steam distribution is accomplished via the soleplates ability to hold and retain high temperatures?

Speaking of Steam, the steam is meant to help relax the fabrics allowing even the toughest of wrinkles and creases to iron out. Seek out a soleplate (which we have done for you) that has many holes to aide in steam production and distribution. Steady steam without the sputtering and inconsistency is the name of the game here. Want to go “all out”? Take a look at the all-in-one Steam Irons for a real professional iron.

Tool #2: Your Ironing Board

While a lot of times overlooked, the ironing board can play a large role in the overall ironing experience and outcome. You need something that is both sturdy and at the proper height. At times, you’ll need to bear down on the board, and naturally you won’t want the board to flex or collapse. Don’t skimp on the pad. The pad is the “buffer” between the iron, your clothing, and the firmness of the board surface that should give just the right amount of resistance in the fabric. You’ll want a material that is best suited for steam penetration (again the price will indicate much of the time the quality you’re receiving). Above all, keeping the board at the right height for a relaxed ironing experience (this shouldn’t be a workout) will allow for better productivity and a better end result.

Tool #3: The Water

This matters and does make a difference. Have you ever stayed at a hotel and turned on your iron only to find it spitting sputtering and staining your clothes? Nine times out of ten, in this instance, it is because housekeeping failed to empty the water out of the iron prior to the next guest (in this case yourself) checked in. Stale water, discoloured water, or simply non-filtered water will aide in the improper functionality of the iron – not to mention put unnecessary wear and tear on the inners. For the best results, just keep on hand some distilled water and run that through your iron instead of tap water.

Tool #4: A Light-Coloured Cotton Towel

As some fabrics may be sensitive to heat, you will want to always keep on hand a light colored (preferably white) cotton towel. This towel can be used as either a make-shift ironing pad or rolled and inserted into sleeves and legs as a form, or as a heat dissipator when dealing with the sensitive fabrics. Don’t forget you may need to clean up spills as well! The light color of the towel will prevent any bleeding of color onto other garments.

Tool #5: Spray Starch

Did you know that over-using spray starch on high heat settings can lead to flaking? Nothing worse then clothing with dandruff. To properly starch clothing for that “fresh crisp” look, use in moderation and spray from a bit of a distance. Too much starch can make a normally breathable fabric make you feel like you’re wrapped in a plastic bag. For starching, just remember to not overdue it and use on a moderate heat setting. Spray from a distance allowing for a gentle “mist” onto the fabric.

Stay tuned for our second part of this article where we’ll share with you some of the ins and outs of How To Iron A Shirt Properly.

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