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Original poster

How do I iron shirts?! Help me Mumsnet!

24 replies

TheHeartGoesLast · 04/09/2022 21:30

DS starts school this week, and has to wear shirts as part of his uniform. Having sworn off ironing after he was born 4 years ago, I dug out my iron this evening only to be reminded that I am bloody awful at ironing shirts. Although the iron smooths them, there are still visible crease marks, no matter how many times I go over them and how many times I press the steam button. What am I doing wrong?! I can't badly iron shirts for the next 12 years!

OP posts:
nutellachurro · 04/09/2022 21:31

You don't

Get him to iron them himself

welldonesquirrel · 04/09/2022 21:32

Sorry no advice I thought I was the only crap ironer here. I just do the best I can, sure they have them creased in no time and also body heat will take the rest of the creases out 😁

Dotcheck · 04/09/2022 21:32

I never ironed- I hung them up on a hanger to dry and they were fine. Well- certainly fine for wearing under a jumper!

happyinherts · 04/09/2022 21:33

@nutellachurro If I read it correctly, he's FOUR

Neverendingdust · 04/09/2022 21:34

First of all it depends on the composition of the fabric and what you wash them in.

Make sure your heat setting is on maximum, the water is filled and you’re ironing on the inside of the shirt. Try doing them when they’re fresh out of the washing machine it may be easier.

Easy iron shirts are handy too…

Pinkywoo · 04/09/2022 21:34

Take them out of the machine as soon as it's finished, give them a hard flick and dry hanging on a coat hanger. If they do still need ironing it will just be a quick going over.

nutellachurro · 04/09/2022 21:35

happyinherts · 04/09/2022 21:33

@nutellachurro If I read it correctly, he's FOUR

Ooops!

Thought this must be secondary for proper shirts!!

pimlicoanna · 04/09/2022 21:37

I also buy the M&S ones you didn't need to iron for my 5 yr olds. I hang them on a hanger to cry and they have no creases at all. I dry all their uniform like that and none of it needs ironing.

FrippEnos · 04/09/2022 21:37

Dad, how do I?

Creepymanonagoatfarm · 04/09/2022 21:38

Collar
Cuffs
Back of sleeve
Front of sleeve
Across the shoulders
Back
One front
Second front
Hang up

SmileyClare · 04/09/2022 21:38

You can buy “non iron” shirts!

For now , try spraying lightly with water. Iron at high heat: collars, cuffs first, sleeves, shoulders, then back and front.
Spread flat over the ironing board and smooth out the material first, pulling as tight over the board as you can.

Im a cleaner and one of my customers leaves all his work shirts for me so I’ve had some practice!

Dont worry about a few little creases for your little one though. I hope he enjoys his first day Smile

BigMamaFratelli · 04/09/2022 21:39

Right, firstly don't dry them completely- you want to iron them just before you'd be ok wearing them iyswim?

Iron collar first, then the yoke, sleeves then side, back, side. Smooth as you go, tug to pull creases out and avoid ironing creases in.

I'm ambidextrous which I'll admit really helps too. And I'm a weirdo who enjoys ironing a shirt😳

Original poster
TheHeartGoesLast · 04/09/2022 21:40

He is indeed 4, and while a fairly sensible boy, I would not trust him with the iron just yet 😂

Thank you all, I will try some easy iron shirts - although I have definitely tried to iron DH's easy iron shirts before and have still failed. I fear there is no hope for me. Hanging them up to dry and ironing the inside are great tips, thank you, I will try both.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 04/09/2022 21:42

Buy short sleeved shirts
Iron Sleeves first. Iron one side then the back then other side - done

FrippEnos · 04/09/2022 21:43

just as a quick thought

Do you have a steamer? Some come with an attachment that will allow you to steam the creases out when you have hung the shirt up.

FavouriteMug · 04/09/2022 21:47

Start with the yoke, then the collar. Then sleeves, side panels and back.

Sorted .

avamiah · 04/09/2022 21:49

I also hate ironing and always have so I buy my daughter school shirts from marks and spencer or JohnLewis and they really don’t need ironing and I can’t recommend them enough.

I don’t know what it is about ironing, maybe because I’m standing still and I’m always usually on the go but I just find it very boring but I have no problem with hoovering and mopping.lol

pastabest · 04/09/2022 21:52

You don't. You buy the non iron ones, hang them up to dry overnight and tell him to keep his jumper on for the first term.

after that you will have stopped caring.

avamiah · 04/09/2022 21:55

pastabest · 04/09/2022 21:52

You don't. You buy the non iron ones, hang them up to dry overnight and tell him to keep his jumper on for the first term.

after that you will have stopped caring.

Hahaha , yes your right and in my daughters case she is in secondary school so they wear jumpers and blazers so Happy Days .🤣

vipersnest1 · 04/09/2022 21:57

If you use a tumble dryer, don't let them get fully dry if you I tend to iron them, take them out while they're a little bit damp.
Never, ever, iron collar and cuffs while they're still flat and crisp anyway. (Once they start to 'bubble' and get a bit baggy you might need to.)
Iron both arms front and back, and then the shoulders, putting them over the ironing board (others will tell you different, but you will end up with a crease across the shoulders which I can't stand).
Then work your way around, doing be front side, the back and then the other front side.
I'm not a huge fan of ironing, but ironing shirts is very satisfying! Smile

alwaysmovingforwards · 04/09/2022 22:05

Just buy non iron shirts.

GrumpyPanda · 04/09/2022 22:06

Pinkywoo · 04/09/2022 21:34

Take them out of the machine as soon as it's finished, give them a hard flick and dry hanging on a coat hanger. If they do still need ironing it will just be a quick going over.

And run them on a really low spin, ideally in a load with nothing else. My really wrinkly shirts also are helped by ten minutes in the dryer before taking them out and hanging them up to drip dry.

Original poster
TheHeartGoesLast · 04/09/2022 22:14

@pastabest I like your advice the best 😂

I am definitely investing in some non iron shirts tomorrow.

Mumsnetters of children aged 3 and younger, learn from my mistakes - do not pick a school with proper shirts!

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