How to iron your shirt

If you’ve gone to the trouble of getting a suit or tux for a special event, you don’t want a crumpled shirt to let the side down. A crisp, crease free shirt is the difference between looking put together and looking like you've just pulled your outfit from the washing machine. And when you're heading to a black-tie gala, wedding or prom, it can make all the difference.

Follow our tips below on how to iron your shirt the right way.

Preparing your shirt

Before you even plug the iron in, it's worth checking the shirt's label for instructions on what temperature or setting you can iron it with. As a general rule, cotton or cotton-blend shirts can take higher heat, but something with silk, polyester or spandex might be a bit more delicate. If in doubt, pick a low setting and move up if you need to.

If your creases are really deep, spray your shirt with a bit of water before ironing to loosen them up.

How to iron a shirt: step by step

STEP 1: COLLAR

Shirts always get ironed from the collar down. Lift the collar up and iron the underside from one tip to the other. Then flip the shirt over and repeat on the outside.

STEP 2: CUFFS

Unbutton your cuffs and repeat the process above, ironing them on the inside and then the outside, pressing any wrinkles out towards the edges. Never iron over the buttons as they can leave a mark on your shirt – iron around them instead.

STEP 3: FRONT

Unbutton your shirt and lay one side of its front flat on the ironing board, with the rest hanging off the side. Start ironing at the shoulders and work your way down, pressing creases out towards the sides. Again, avoid the buttons and iron carefully around them instead. Give the placket (that’s the strip your buttons are on) extra attention as it’ll be the most visible part of your shirt when you’ve got a jacket on. Repeat on the other side.

STEP 4: BACK

Flip your shirt over and lay it with the collar nearest the pointy end of the ironing board. Start with the yoke at the top (that’s the panel that covers the back of your shoulders), and work your way down to the bottom.

STEP 5: SLEEVES

Lay the sleeve down the length of your ironing board, ensuring it’s nice and flat. Iron from the shoulders down to the cuff. You don’t really want a crease down the side of your arms, so make sure you concentrate on the middle of the fabric and stay away from the edges. As usual, repeat on the other side. And, you know, the other arm.

A great alternative to ironing is a hand steamer. Portable and practical, they're often used for more delicate fabrics like silk and cashmere, and are a much more gentle way of removing wrinkles than ironing. They're also great at eliminating odours and keeping clothes fresh between washes.

How to prevent your shirt from creasing

So, you've ironed your shirt and it looks great. But how do you prevent creases from easily returning? The first step is to hang your shirt after you're done wearing it - if it ends up on the floor or you fold it away, you're far more likely to be greeted with creases the next time you need it.

Secondly, try to avoid tumble drying your shirts if you can, as it can create more wrinkles as well as deepening existing ones. In general, tumble drying damages clothing over time due to high heat, so it's worth looking at alternative drying methods.

Finally, try not to put your shirt away when it's damp as that can also cause extra creases to appear, while also making them much harder to iron out.