Sure, most of us can iron, right? Well, as a professional cleaning and ironing company based in Hampshire, we’ve come to learn that there are so many mistakes that can be made when undertaking this tricky tiresome task. Simple things such as using the wrong temperature or adopting a bad technique can leave your clothes in a very sorry state.
That’s why we’ve put together a little ironing guide to steer you in the right direction, and get you ironing like a pro with just 5 top handy tricks.
Tip 1- Make use of the entire ironing board
We’ve come to learn that there’s just no point in faffing around with clothes hanging over the sides of your ironing board. If you’re looking to save yourself some time (and who isn’t in the 21st century right?), you want to ensure you’re ironing right and utiling the whole board, by placing longer items landscape across the boards surface.
Let’s not forget though, that the thinner end of your ironing board can also be very helpful. It’s a saint when it comes to getting to those hard to reach creases, like the ones near your shirt armholes! Simply place your shirt over the end, being careful not to stretch your garment, and iron into the stretched-out crevices, and voila!
Tip 2- Remove all icon scorch marks by using vinegar
If you’re a fan of our blogs, then you’ll probably already know that here at Bennetts Home Shine we’re massive fans of natural cleaning products, and vinegar in particular! It’s our magical ingredient that seems to clean almost everything!
If you do make a little error when ironing, remember that it’s not the end of the world and there is a cure. Simply dip a clean cloth into your white vinegar and wipe over your scorch stain. Once you’ve finished, simply wipe again with cold water to finish. It’s like it never even happened.
Tip 3 – Use the correct ironing technique
Yes, there really is such a thing as an ‘ironing technique’! try to avoid wiggling the iron around too much. We recommend long, straight strokes to avoid stretching the fabric and creating new creases which can be rather tough to remove.
Tip 4 – Boil your iron water
The south is famous for its hard water, so we always recommend avoiding any hard-water stains on your clothes by boiling your water before use. If you don’t pre-boil you’re also at risk of blocking up your iron which can lead to all sorts of problems including reduced efficiency. So, we say the trick is to boil – and why not treat yourself to a cuppa while you’re at it!
Tip 5 – Iron around decorative points, and turn garments inside out where possible
Most of us know how to avoid pesky zips and buttons, but did you know the same is advised for detailing in general?
Detailing such as sequins, glitter or very fine lace are areas that don’t require ironing, and if they do it’s certainly no more then a quick ‘once over’. But remember, always iron them on a low temperature or inside out.
If you’ve ever noticed a slight sheen on your dark clothes post iron, then you’ve most likely ironed them on too high of a heat.
A simple way to avoid this type of damage to your clothes is to iron inside out wherever possible. After all, who doesn’t want to keep the appearance of their garments looking great?
While these tips may seem very straight forward, ironing is definitely a household chore you want to get right.
With Christmas only around the corner, if you’re struggling to find time to iron then why not give us a call to arrange a FREE quote. Bennetts Home Shine is a professional cleaning company based in Alton, Hampshire offering an array of cleaning and ironing services to meet your needs. Contact us on Joanne@bennettshomeshine.co.uk to more information.
