Whether we like it or not, ironing is a chore we will never get rid of. Although many people admit that they iron their clothes less and less, there are certain items of clothing that cannot be worn without at least one ironing. Therefore, for those of us who still want to iron our clothes regularly, it is a good idea to make sure that we do it correctly to avoid making common mistakes when ironing clothes.
While investing in one of the best steam irons will already take the burden off this terribly monotonous task, it is important to keep in mind the things you need to do. No Doing this while ironing will also be a lifesaver to speed up the process.
Whether you consider yourself an ironing pro or are more of a fan of using the best clothes steamer and ironing only when you have no other option, these are the clothes ironing mistakes you should avoid.
(Image credit: Future PLC)
Mistakes to avoid when ironing clothes
1. Not checking the care label
“Each fabric requires a different temperature, so it’s important to check the care label on each garment,” explains Thomas Bird, materials expert at Fabric Online. “Always use the lowest temperature for materials like silk, the medium temperature for materials like wool, and finally the highest temperature for materials like cotton.”
In case you’re having trouble deciphering clothing care labels, we discovered a clever iPhone camera trick that helps you easily identify all the symbols and their meanings.
(Image credit: Future PLC)
2. Iron in circular movements.
Another common mistake people often make is ironing in circular motions. While it may feel natural to do so, Thomas warns that doing so can distort the fabric of your clothes.
Instead, she explains that “you should iron in a back-and-forth motion in straight lines.”
3. Neglecting to clean the iron
As with any appliance, making sure you maintain and clean it is the best way to prolong its lifespan. If an iron is constantly under steam (literally), it can take quite a beating, which will inevitably take a toll on your clothes too.
That’s why it’s so important to make sure you clean your iron properly on a regular basis to keep it in top condition for much longer.
4. Iron over the stains
If you’re working hard to remove a stain from one of your favorite clothes, then you should know that ironing over a stain is possibly the worst thing you can do.
“If you iron stains, they will set into the fabric permanently. To prevent this from happening, treat the stains before ironing,” Thomas advises.
To help you out, we have a ton of stain removal tips that will help you tackle any type of stain you’re dealing with.
(Image credit: Future PLC/Tim Young)
5. Do not use hacks
While we’ve seen the rise of #CleanTok and cleanfluencers on Instagram receive some criticism for their methods, and experts warn against a handful of viral TikTok cleaning hacks, some of them are truly game-changers.
One of the effective cleaning tricks we’ve discovered involves placing aluminum foil underneath the ironing board cover, which in turn maximizes the effectiveness of the iron and speeds up the process.
If ironing is a chore for you, we don’t think there’s anything wrong with trying a few tricks to make the task less tiring on an already busy Sunday.
(Image credit: Future PLC/Jon Day)
6. Ironing too fast
As we have acknowledged on many occasions, ironing is a very monotonous task for many people. Therefore, it can be tempting to try to do it as quickly as possible to get it over with; however, you will only be doing yourself and your clothes more harm than good.
“Ironing too quickly can leave wrinkles and make clothes look uneven,” Thomas warns. “To avoid this, take your time and iron carefully and carefully.”
Although it may not seem like it, ironing more carefully will actually speed up the process compared to doing the task haphazardly, since you’ll have to redo fewer parts.
Buy our top rated irons
Morphy Richards easyCHARGE Power+ Cordless Straightener
During testing, we loved the design of this iron as well as its excellent performance. It is a cordless model, which makes it very convenient and does not require placing the iron back on its ultra-fast charging base when it needs more power. It is equipped with powerful vertical steam and glides well over most fabrics.
Philips PerfectCare 7000 steam generator
This iron was the surprise favourite of our ironing test. Its heavy appearance can be deceiving, as it turned out that this steam generating system was an absolute dream to use. The lightweight iron itself uses a smart OptimalTEMP technology, meaning it can automatically adjust to whatever fabric you are ironing.
Tower T22008 CeraGlide Cordless Steam Iron
The versatility of this iron is what made it stand out for us, with its ability to run both corded and cordless, without failing in either mode. It uses a base for quick charging, or can simply be attached to the main body of the iron while in use, meaning there’s no need to stop to charge it. It’s perfect for tackling small piles of laundry.
Frequent questions
What is the trick to ironing?
The trick to ironing effectively is to avoid ironing clothes that are too dry. For this reason, it is a good idea to use the steam functions that come with your iron, as they will help wrinkles disappear much more easily.
Alternatively, you can spray your clothes with some linen water, which you can make yourself by adding 3 tablespoons of vodka, 30 drops of lavender essential oil and 2 cups of distilled water, according to our explanation on how to iron like a pro.
Are vaporizers better than flat irons?
Generally speaking, it’s difficult to say whether steamers are better than flat irons because both have their advantages and disadvantages.
If you’re looking for a quick and easy solution to remove wrinkles from your clothes without having to do a lot of work, a garment steamer may be the better choice between ironing and steaming. However, if you’re looking for that crisp, pressed finish that an iron offers to remove deep, stubborn wrinkles, a steam iron is your best bet.
If the portability and ease of use of a clothes steamer is what makes you lean towards it, it’s also worth noting that there are a handful of excellent cordless irons available on the market to free you from the hassles of a corded appliance.
Avoiding these common mistakes when ironing clothes will allow you to protect the lifespan of not only your appliance, but also your clothes. Plus, keeping the above in mind will also allow you to go through the process quicker and easier the next time you need to iron, which hopefully shouldn’t be such a big deal now.
