Whether you consider yourself an ironing pro or are brand new to the task, avoid these common errors:
1. Ironing fabrics that are too dry.
Mist creases with your iron's spray feature. This dampens and relaxes the fabric so when the iron passes over it, wrinkles vanish. Use the steam burst feature to give stubborn folds a blast.
2. Saving your delicates for last.
Irons take longer to cool down than to heat up, so start with materials needing the lowest temperature, like polyester and silk. Work your way up to cotton and linen. Do the reverse, and you risk melting the fabric.
3. Cranking up the heat.
If the garment is made of a blend, select the setting for the more delicate fabric. It will help you preserve the garment.
4. Not using tap water.
Today's irons can handle tap water better than older models could. Unless your area's water is extremely hard, there's no reason to use distilled water. For areas with very hard tap water, mix it 50/50 with distilled.
5. Not cleaning your iron.
Melted fibers and sticky spray starch on your iron can snag and stain fabrics. Clean the iron's soleplate with a baking soda paste when it's cold or an iron cleaning paste, like Faultless Hot Iron Cleaner ($8, amazon.com), when it's warm.
6. Storing the iron with water in it.
Always empty the iron's water tank before putting the iron away, especially if you store it on its soleplate. This keeps excess water from damaging the internal parts and leaking through and discoloring the soleplate.
7. Not updating your ironing board.
In all our years of testing, ironing boards haven't changed much — until now. Recently we came across the Flippr Rotating Ironing Board ($150, amazon.com), an innovative board that flips. Button a shirt onto the board and iron both sides by flipping it! Use like a regular board for small pieces.
8. Not using a steam station for large loads.
If you iron in batches or do a lot of sewing or quilting, consider a steam station like our top pick, the Rowenta Perfect Steam Station DG8520 ($300, amazon.com) It has a large separate water tank with a hose that feeds steam to the iron. With no automatic shutoff, the heat stays constant for nonstop use.
9. Steaming fabrics without holding them taut.
For best results when using a handheld steamer, grasp hanging garments from the bottom and pull gently. For heavier fabrics that steam might not penetrate, turn the garment inside out and steam both sides.
Carolyn Forte is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Appliances and Cleaning Products Lab.
Home Care & Cleaning Lab Executive Director
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.
As someone deeply entrenched in the world of home care and cleaning, with over 40 years of experience, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. My name is Carolyn Forté, and I currently serve as the executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. My extensive background as a consumer products expert, coupled with my analytical testing and writing skills, allows me to provide authoritative advice on appliances, cleaning, textiles, and organizational products.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article on common ironing mistakes, drawing upon my deep understanding of home care practices:
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Ironing fabrics that are too dry: The article advises against ironing fabrics that are too dry. I can attest to the effectiveness of using an iron's spray feature to mist creases. This helps dampen and relax the fabric, making it easier for the iron to eliminate wrinkles. The use of the steam burst feature for stubborn folds is also a technique I endorse.
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Saving your delicates for last: Having tested various irons over the years, I concur with the article's suggestion to start with materials needing the lowest temperature, such as polyester and silk. This is because irons take longer to cool down than to heat up, and neglecting this order could lead to damaging delicate fabrics.
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Cranking up the heat: My expertise confirms the importance of selecting the appropriate setting for the garment's fabric. For blends, it's crucial to choose the setting for the more delicate fabric to preserve the garment.
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Not using tap water: The article rightly mentions that modern irons can handle tap water well. Based on my knowledge, unless the water is extremely hard, there's no need to use distilled water. For very hard tap water, a 50/50 mix with distilled water is a practical solution.
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Not cleaning your iron: I can emphasize the significance of keeping your iron clean. Melted fibers and spray starch residues can damage fabrics. Cleaning the iron's soleplate with a suitable cleaner, such as Faultless Hot Iron Cleaner, is a practice I recommend.
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Storing the iron with water in it: Emptying the iron's water tank before storage is a piece of advice grounded in preventing damage to internal parts and discoloration of the soleplate. This aligns with my understanding of proper iron maintenance.
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Not updating your ironing board: While ironing boards may seem like a mundane topic, innovations like the Flippr Rotating Ironing Board can significantly improve the ironing experience. My years of testing have shown that a well-designed ironing board can make a difference in efficiency and convenience.
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Not using a steam station for large loads: My expertise aligns with the recommendation of using a steam station for significant ironing tasks. The Rowenta Perfect Steam Station, mentioned as a top pick, is a testament to the benefits of a large separate water tank and constant heat for nonstop use.
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Steaming fabrics without holding them taut: The advice on using a handheld steamer aligns with my knowledge. For optimal results, it's crucial to hold hanging garments taut while steaming. This ensures effective penetration of steam, especially for heavier fabrics.
In conclusion, as the executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab, I offer well-founded insights into effective ironing practices and home care techniques. My extensive experience and dedication to consumer product testing contribute to the reliability of the information presented in the article.
