With this simple guide on how to iron a dress shirt, you’ll never look less than sharp again.
How To Iron A Dress Shirt | Easy Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Set the Ironing Board
Take out your iron, ironing board, sleeve board, spray bottle, and any other equipment you may need. Arrange them in front of you for easy access. If you’re right-handed, the pointed side of the ironing board should be facing your left—vice-versa if you’re left-handed.
Step 2: Double Check for Stains and Grime
Check the sole of your iron before turning it on. Pressing your shirt with a dirty iron would lead to a disaster. Similarly, check the crevices of your dress shirt to see if there are any stains. Hot-pressing a stain on a shirt only makes it harder to remove.
Step 3: Fill with Water
Add distilled water into your iron’s water tank. Some people opt to use tap water for this. However, tap water contains minerals that will eventually lead to magnesium and calcium scales under your iron. This means brown spots may form under your iron. And as we said, pressing your shirt with a dirty iron leads to stains.
Step 4: Adjust the Temperature
Most irons have fabric-specific heat settings you can choose from. Adjust the dial to a temperature that best suits your dress shirt and wait for it to heat up.
Remember: Always give the iron time to heat up. Using the iron prematurely may cause the water and rust to leak out of the holes.
Step 5: Start Pressing the Back and Sleeves
After you set everything up, it’s time to press your dress shirt. The only way how to properly iron a dress shirt is to press the parts in proper order.
First, start off by ironing the back of your collar. Crawl your way from the points of the collar all the way to the middle. Remember to stretch the extra material in your collar to prevent creases from forming.
Next, it’s time to work on your sleeve. Start by pressing the cuffs on the ironing board. Afterward, lay the sleeve’s seam flat on the ironing board. Flatten the sleeve using your hands. Once there are no more wrinkles, use the iron to press it flat. Do the same thing with your other sleeve.
After your sleeves, it’s time to work on the back of your undershirt. Turn your dress shirt upside down, then start working on the cloth covering your lower back. Then you can begin pressing the pleat. Move your way up all the way to the shoulders.
Step 6: Flip Shirt Over And Press The Front
Once you finish pressing the back and shoulders, it’s time to iron the button row. Use the tip of the iron to press between the buttons. Be careful that you don’t damage the thread securing the buttons.
After this, it’s time to press the front of your shirt. Iron carefully from the sides crawling your way to the center.
The last part to consider when you iron a dress shirt is the front of the collar. Similar to the back, press your way from the points of the collar all the way to the center. A wrinkle-free collar goes well paired with a dashing tie for formal occasions.
Bonus: How to Iron a Dress Shirt Without an Iron
Imagine this: you’re on the way to one of the most important work meetings in your career when your iron suddenly breaks. What do you do? Are you desperate enough to wear a wrinkled dress shirt? Don’t be.
If you don’t have an iron, an easy technique to take the wrinkles out of your shirt is the spray-and-hang. First, grab a spray bottle and fill it with water. Spray the crumpled areas of your shirt. Remember not to get it soaking wet, just a little damp. Hang it up then let it air dry. After a few minutes, your shirt should be good to go.
Tip: Apart from maintaining a wrinkle-free dress shirt, you should also put in the same amount of effort in your skin care routine, shoe game, and haircut, among others. A neatly pressed shirt is simply one of the many factors that help a man make the cut.
To know more about ironing, watch this video from Apparel Illustrated:
This is just a simple guide on how to iron a dress shirt. No matter what fashion sense you follow, we can all agree that nothing’s worse than a wrinkled dress shirt. Whether you’re going to work, a party, or your own wedding, always remember to press your shirt before leaving the house. You don’t want to be that guy wearing a dirty, wrinkled dress shirt.
Did this article help you learn how to iron a shirt? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!
Up Next: Boat Shoes For Men And Why Everyone Should Have A Pair