Tips for ironing your clothes

Having to iron isn't always the most enjoyable job — it can seem boring or fiddly. Perhaps it's a lack of practice, or how hard it is to get your garments perfectly smooth.

The truth is that sooner or later you have to tackle the pile of clothes waiting to be ironed. The key is to cut down on the amount of ironing right from the wash when you use Lavandería Autoservicio Tenerife, with a fabric softener added to the final cycle of the wash. That way, your clothes come out with fewer creases.

To make it easy and as pleasant as possible, it helps to follow a few simple tips for quicker ironing.

Sort your clothes by fabric type

Each type of fabric usually calls for a different ironing technique. So it's essential to check the label on each item to find out the ironing settings the manufacturer recommends.

You should separate the garments so you start with those needing less heat, then move on to those that need a higher temperature.

For example, silk, wool and acetate need a low heat, while polyester and cotton need more. This can be done right from Lavandería Tenerife when you use the drying service and your clothes come out ready to fold.

This is the moment to choose which to iron first and which pieces to leave for later.

To iron well you really need the right kit to make the job easier. First, find a smooth surface such as the ironing board and set it to a comfortable height to begin.

Also, keep the steam iron to hand, already plugged in so it heats up and, if it's a model without steam, keep water in a spray bottle. Another essential is a pressing cloth, used to protect delicate fabrics as you run the iron over them.

One way to keep garments in good condition is to iron them inside out; this keeps them looking new for far longer. Ironing on the reverse means the colour doesn't change, so it won't take on a shiny sheen, and the fabric doesn't wear down from being scorched by the constant heat of the iron.

Only garments that need a crease, such as shirts and smart trousers, can be ironed on the right side, always with the help of a pressing cloth.

Dampen each piece just before ironing it

This helps reduce stubborn creases. The iron's steam can dampen the garment as you apply heat to each area.

It also helps to spray the whole item with water beforehand, straight from a bottle; this makes the creases easier to lift with the heat. Do watch the type of fabric, though, as some can shrink on contact with water.

It's important to iron each garment in order. With a shirt, for example, always start with the cuffs, followed by the sleeves and the collar. Then smooth the back and finally the front, which is the most visible part.

For skirts and trousers, iron both sides on the reverse and then the front with a pressing cloth to make any pleats and creases if needed.

Once the clothes come out of the machine, sort them by fabric type to work out whether they can go through the drying service, which Lavandería Adeje also offers, and then on to ironing afterwards.

For woollens, for instance, turn them inside out and apply a little steam, ironing gently without pressing too hard. Silk needs moisture and a low temperature; this helps you get a perfect result without damaging the fabric.

As for cotton garments, they should be dampened more generously, which softens their stubborn creases.

The fold most garments have along the hem to conceal the raw edge is known as the hem crease. It's a mark that needs to be removed for the clothing to look completely smooth.

To do this, place a piece of aluminium foil under the fabric and, on top, a cloth dampened in a solution of ammonia and water, before applying the heat of the iron. It's an effective technique, and it should be done quickly and gently to avoid marks bleeding through the fabric.

Iron in one go to save energy

Getting started can be the hard part, but once you begin you should get through all the clothes in one session. This means a single burst of energy use, since the iron is plugged into one power supply.

If you do this several times a day, the energy use multiplies each time you plug it in and the cost goes up.

The advice is to pick a fixed day of the week and set aside a certain amount of time to iron everything.

Try, where you can, to buy clothes that don't crease. Hard as it may be to believe, there are man-made fibres that simply don't wrinkle.

They only need a wash on the machine's gentle cycle, a bit of fabric softener and, once the wash is done, a shake and a hang to stop any marks setting in.

Finally, remember that the best ironing results come from knowing your fabric type and following these handy tips.