Ironing: A Tedious Task Made Easy
October 2, 2009 – 6:47 pm by MarinaHanes
Who really enjoys to iron? There are probably some people out there who take pleasure in it, but it’s definitely a tedious task that can put you in a bad mood, especially if you’re known to ruin good shirts. Who hasn’t burned a piece of clothing before while ironing? When you’re trying to live off of the grid, the last thing you need is to worry about destroying the clothes that you have in your closet. So why not learn how to remove irons more effectively?
Some wrinkles you can smooth out with a spray of water and a tug, but others are not this easy. If you’re job requires you to wear collared shirts, you might dread laundry day. Instead of scorching your clothes, first make sure that the fabric can be ironed. The following fabrics must be steamed: silk ties, blends, velvet knits, drapes, valances and duvet covers. Also, make sure that you use the proper setting on your iron so you don’t burn or flatten your clothing. For example, you would use a low setting for synthetics, medium for wool and silk and high for more durable fabrics such as linen and cotton.
If you have to iron your collared shirt or blouse, it’s best to iron in sections. First, iron the collar and then move onto the cuffs, sleeves, back and, last but not least, the front. It also helps if you work with a slightly damp garment.
Instead of buying starch, you can make a homemade one for clothing you want to stay put. All you need to do is mix one tablespoon of cornstarch into one pint of water. Then you can put this solution into a spray bottle so it’s easy to use.
Understanding which fabrics can be ironed and which ones can’t be ironed will help you save money, time and frustration. Plus, with this easy homemade starch recipe, you can always make sure you have a stiff collar for work.
Tags: homemade starch, ironing, shirt ironing