Ironing Services: You'll Never Have to Do Your Least Favourite Chore Ever Again
Dread ironing? With these tips, your clothes will always look like they have just been collected from our professional ironing services!
Ironing Services: Taking Care of That Annoying Chore
There are very few people who actually enjoy doing house chores. That's probably because chores can be boring, repetitive and seemingly never-ending. However, out of all of the tedious domestic tasks, ironing seems to be the most annoying.
One survey found that ironing is among the top five most hated chores for Brits, and that it takes fifty-five minutes to complete every week. The same study also found that women (especially mothers) are likely to spend four months of her lifetime ironing clothes. The pile of clothes a British mother irons throughout her life amounts to 1,248 metres tall, which is four times the height of London's Shard tower!
Ironing is probably a hated chore because you have to stand up and give the task your complete attention. While everyone wants freshly pressed clothes, they're not very willing to do it themselves. While Columbia University students have created a novel robot that irons clothes with perfection, it may be long before you get your hands on a self-ironing technology. In the meantime, you can make use of these brilliant tips that will help you take care of your least favourite chore when it comes to it.
Professional Ironing Tips for Different Garments
Shirts: The Foundation of Professional Appearance
1. Start with the sleeves! If you leave them to the last, you're likely to cause wrinkles on your ironed shirt when it hangs off the ironing board.
2. Leave the cuffs open when ironing. A lot of ironing newcomers get this wrong, but it's easier and convenient to leave the cuffs open when ironing. Lay them flat and you can get the whole sleeve at a time.
3. Handle collars with care. The collars are the trickiest part, so make sure you open it up and lay it flat as well just like the cuffs. Most people leave the collar down, but that just creates more creases along the fold and gives a very unfinished look.
4. Let it cool down properly. Once you're done ironing, hang up the shirt and leave it to cool down. Wearing the shirt immediately is likely to cause creases instantly. When you iron a shirt, the fabric becomes very hot. When it cools down is when the freshly ironed look actually sets in.
Professional Shirt Ironing Checklist:
- Collar (opened and flat)
- Yoke (shoulder area)
- Sleeves (cuffs open)
- Front panels
- Back panel
- Hanging and cooling time
Trousers: Creating Perfect Creases
1. Use gentle pressure and steam. Always apply a gentle pressure and use steam (if your iron has an option) to press your trousers. The trick is to go slow over the creases.
2. Find your main crease. Can't find your main crease? Lay your trousers down flat on the ironing board and line up the seams of the leg to match. Create a perfect crease again, but remember to stop six inches below the waist.
3. Handle pleats carefully. If you have pleats on your trousers, always set the front crease first.
4. Hang by the waistband. Hang the trousers by the waistband for at least an hour or two to set. Even if you don't put in any creases, it's always a good idea to let your trousers cool before putting them on.
Trouser Ironing Sequence:
- Waistband (inside and out)
- Front creases (if applicable)
- Back panel
- Legs (one at a time)
- Cuffs and hems
- Final pressing and hanging
Skirts: Delicate Fabric Care
1. Work from top to bottom. Start with the top and work your way to the bottom.
2. Protect delicate fabrics. If the fabric is delicate, use a cotton sheet or shirt to cover the fabric and iron over it. This applies especially to silk or satin skirts.
3. Reverse for flounced skirts. If you're ironing flounced skirts (that flare out at the bottom), the rule reverses and you would have to iron the bottom first and then work your way to the top.
Skirt Ironing Tips:
- Check fabric care labels first
- Use appropriate heat settings
- Iron on the reverse side when possible
- Use a pressing cloth for delicate materials
- Hang immediately after ironing
Other Items: Large and Specialized Garments
1. Support large items properly. When ironing large items such as curtains or bed sheets, set up two chairs next to the ironing board for extra support. As you work the fabric, set it up on the chairs so you don't wrinkle them by leaving them hanging on the floor.
Large Item Ironing Strategy:
- Use multiple support surfaces
- Work in sections
- Keep fabric off the floor
- Use steam for stubborn wrinkles
- Fold carefully when complete
Professional Ironing Equipment Essentials
The Right Iron
- Steam capability - Essential for most fabrics
- Temperature control - Different fabrics need different heat
- Water tank capacity - Larger tanks mean less refilling
- Soleplate material - Non-stick surfaces work best
- Weight - Heavier irons provide better pressing power
Essential Accessories
- Ironing board - Adjustable height and sturdy surface
- Pressing cloths - Protect delicate fabrics
- Spray bottle - For extra moisture when needed
- Sleeve board - For shirt sleeves and small items
- Tailor's ham - For curved areas and darts
Fabric-Specific Ironing Guidelines
Cotton and Linen
- Use high heat with steam
- Iron while slightly damp for best results
- Press on the right side for most items
- Use spray starch for crisp finish
Silk and Delicate Fabrics
- Use low heat setting
- Always use a pressing cloth
- Iron on the wrong side
- Test heat on an inconspicuous area first
Wool and Blends
- Use medium heat with steam
- Press, don't slide the iron
- Use a damp pressing cloth
- Allow to cool completely before moving
Synthetic Fabrics
- Use low to medium heat
- Avoid high heat that can melt fibers
- Use steam sparingly
- Check care labels carefully
Time-Saving Ironing Strategies
Preparation
- Sort clothes by fabric type
- Check all pockets
- Remove any stains first
- Set up your workspace properly
Efficiency Tips
- Iron similar items together
- Use the right temperature for each fabric
- Work systematically through your pile
- Hang items immediately after ironing
Maintenance
- Clean your iron regularly
- Empty water tank after use
- Store iron properly
- Replace worn ironing board covers
When to Call Professional Ironing Services
While these tips can help you achieve professional results at home, sometimes it's best to leave it to the experts:
Time Constraints
- Busy work schedules
- Large families with lots of laundry
- Special events requiring perfect presentation
- Moving or travel preparation
Specialized Items
- Delicate fabrics requiring expert care
- Formal wear and evening attire
- Items with complex construction
- Vintage or expensive garments
Quality Standards
- Business attire requiring crisp appearance
- Uniforms and work clothes
- Items for special occasions
- When perfection is essential
The Benefits of Professional Ironing Services
Time Savings
- Reclaim hours of your week
- Focus on more important tasks
- Reduce household stress
- Better work-life balance
Quality Results
- Professional-grade equipment
- Expert techniques and knowledge
- Consistent, high-quality results
- Proper handling of all fabric types
Convenience
- Pick-up and delivery services
- Flexible scheduling
- Specialized care for delicate items
- No need to invest in expensive equipment
Related Cleaning and Laundry Guides
- Ironing Service Prices: Could You Be Saving Money by Hiring a Professional? - Cost analysis and hiring tips
- 6 Ways To Know If You Hired The Best Cleaning Agency - How to choose quality services
- The Ultimate Guide to Luxury Home Cleaning - Professional standards for your home
- Eco-Friendly Cleaning Solutions - Sustainable cleaning methods
Do we make it sound too easy? If you're still struggling with ironing at home, check out our ironing services and have someone do it for you. Our professional team specializes in all types of ironing and laundry services, ensuring your clothes always look their absolute best.
Contact St. Anne's Housekeeping today to learn more about our comprehensive ironing services and how we can help you reclaim your time while keeping your wardrobe perfectly pressed.