How to iron a shirt

Last update on .

Essentials

  • An iron

  • Ironing board

  • Clothes hanger

Method

  • First, lay your shirt on the board and spray a generous amount of steam over the shirt. If the shirt is relatively fresh from the wash (a few hours after the wash is ideal), you may not need to add as much moisture.

  • Once the shirt is damp, lift up and iron over the board to warm it up.

  • Top tip: Ironing well is all about keeping the structure of the shirt throughout. You'll want to use the board (the point, in particular) to assist with this.

  • Start with the collar, popping this up and ironing from the inside of the shirt. Next, fold the collar and flip the shirt, ironing again from the inside of the shirt.

  • After the collar, you'll want to iron the two front panels, from the inside of the shirt. Start with the seam and work your way outwards, towards - and then over - the buttons.

  • Using the tip of the board, move up to the shoulders.

  • Turn over and repeat with the other front panel and shoulder.

  • Now, iron the back of the shirt. You'll know when you're done, as the damp patches from your steam will have dried up completely. Ensure that you've ironed right around to the seam between the back and front panels of the shirt. Don't forget about the shoulders too!

  • Once the back is crease-free, move onto the sleeves of the shirt. Top tip: be careful to ensure that the rest of the shirt is keeping its structure while you work on the sleeves.

  • Start the sleeves by ironing the cuffs from the inside.

  • Once you've ironed out the cuff, use your hand to flatten the seam between the shoulder and sleeve. Starting at the shoulder end, iron down to the cuff. Flip the sleeve around and iron from the other side too.

  • Repeat the above with the opposite sleeve.

  • Go back to the front of the shirt, this time from the outside instead. Make sure that you're getting between the buttons. Pay special attention to the space between the top and second-top button; missing this area can prevent you from getting the stiff, high collars that you're looking for.

  • Once you've run back over the front panel, you're nearly done. Holding the shirt by the centre of the collar, to preserve the structure, move this straight onto a hanger and button. 

  • As the shirt will still be warm and possibly damp, allow the shirt to cool down slightly before placing in your wardrobe.

Written by on