Will somebody please teach me how to iron?

[belleheart]

I just can't do it. Everything I iron looks more creased than it did before I started! Help!

[Millipedewithherfeetup]

Go onto you tube there are 100s of tutorials on there.

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

I avoid ironing where possible by shaking everything when damp and hanging up.

For shirts and things that have to be ironed..
Iron collars and cuffs first, then sleeves, back and lastly the front.

Pull items over the end of your ironing board so you're not ironing double layers,

Smooth the fabric flat on the board before ironing,

Get a good steam iron,

and my most important rule; Accept that nothing will come out perfectly ironed

[FlouncingInTheRain]

No world expert but heres my tips...

Its easier to iron damp/ almost dry things. Crisp dry, especially if they've been left scrunched the creases are pressed in.

If you tend to iron sometime after drying get yourself a spray bottle (washed out cleaning one is fine) spray the big creases before ironing.

Get the iron good and hot before ironing. Check and pile your ironing for temperature settings and do in batches. Cotton hot, synthetics colder.

First item you iron should be something you're not attached too like a tea towel incase theres any rust/ dirt on the iron.

Shirts i do collar and shoulders, sleeves then panels.

[DorotheaBeale]

Agree with making sure the iron is hot enough and testing on an old tea cloth.

Hang things up to air after ironing, before putting away. If they're even slightly hot, damp or steamy, they'll get creased again if you don't give them a chance to air.

[OooohHorlicks]

Also work out what needs ironing and what needs pressing. If it's likely to go shiny- some trousers and shorts for example - then press, don't iron.

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

At the risk of sounding like an idiot, what is pressing?

[rabbit123]

Pressing is ironing with no steam and a slightly different technique

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

Thank you. I think I get that.

[AveEldon]

Give up. Life is too short to waste time ironing things

[CaptainWarbeck]

Get yourself an ironing sid spray, like this. I'm in Oz and use a brand called Fabulon, but this looks like a similar thing. Spray, easier to iron, clothes smell nice, win.

[CaptainWarbeck]

Sid? Aid