6 common ironing mistakes that damage your clothes

Ironing dirty clothes

One of the biggest mistakes is running a hot iron over clothing that has stains or dirt on it. This can permanently set the stains into the fabric.

To avoid this, always check your clothes beforehand, remove any visible stains, or wash them thoroughly before ironing.

Using a dirty iron

Over time, residue and rust can build up on the iron’s soleplate. If it’s not cleaned regularly, this can lead to brown stains, scorch marks, or debris transferring onto your clothes.

That’s why it’s best to clean the surface of your iron regularly with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. To do this safely, unplug the iron and wait until it has completely cooled down.

Then gently rub the soleplate with a soft cloth using a baking soda and vinegar paste. Alternatively, you can use a few drops of mild dish soap mixed with warm water, especially if the stains are minor. Avoid abrasive materials or ingredients that could scratch the surface.

Ironing on soft or uneven surfaces

If you’ve ever ironed clothes on a bed or a couch cushion in a hurry, that’s a mistake. As convenient as it may seem at the moment, this habit can damage your clothing.

Ironing on soft or uneven surfaces won’t properly smooth out wrinkles and can even stretch the fabric.

It’s better to use a sturdy ironing board.

Not ironing inside out

It’s important to protect delicate fabrics and intricate designs from direct heat, but many people skip this step in a rush to remove wrinkles. Heating these delicate details can cause damage rather than create a smooth finish.

Ironing clothes inside out helps preserve the fabric and protects it from damage, especially if the garment has prints or embroidery. You can either turn the item inside out before ironing or use a pressing cloth between the iron’s soleplate and the garment for extra protection.

Using the wrong temperature

Turning the iron to the highest setting may seem like a time-saver, but it’s risky for most materials.

In fact, ironing delicate fabrics such as silk or linen at high heat can damage them. Always check the care label on the garment and make sure the iron’s temperature setting matches the recommended level.

Folding clothes right after ironing

Folding clothes while they are still hot after ironing can undo your hard work, almost instantly creating new wrinkles.

Let the garment cool down on a flat surface before wearing or folding it to make sure the fabric stays smooth and crease-free.

Set aside a clean, flat area where freshly ironed clothes can “rest” until they have completely cooled before placing them in a drawer.