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Quick answer: iron a slightly damp shirt in this order: collar, cuffs, sleeves, yoke (shoulders), back, then the two front panels. Use the cotton setting for cotton shirts, steam throughout, and hang the shirt immediately on a hanger with the top button done up. A practised shirt takes about 4–5 minutes.
Before you start
- Check the care label for temperature: cotton is hot (•••), polycotton is medium (••), and polyester is cool (•).
- Iron shirts slightly damp, or mist them with water. Dry cotton is much harder to flatten.
- Fill the tank and let the iron heat fully to avoid spitting.
- Unbutton everything, including cuffs and collar buttons.
Step 1: collar
Lay the collar flat, underside up. Iron from the points towards the middle to avoid pushing creases into the tips. Flip it and repeat.
Step 2: cuffs
Open each cuff flat and iron the inside, then the outside, working around the buttons with the tip.
Step 3: sleeves
Lay a sleeve flat with the seam along the bottom edge. Iron from shoulder to cuff, turn it over and repeat. Skip the pressed crease if you prefer a rounded sleeve.
Step 4: yoke
Drape one shoulder over the narrow end of the board and iron the yoke, then do the other side.
Step 5: back
Lay the back flat across the board and iron from top to bottom.
Step 6: front panels
Iron each front panel, using the tip between buttons. Iron the placket (the button strip) carefully.
Step 7: hang immediately
Put the shirt on a hanger straight away and fasten the top button. Let it cool before wearing or storing.
Tips for better results
- Use a steam shot on stubborn creases.
- Iron dark shirts inside out, or use a pressing cloth, to prevent shine.
- A board with a shaped nose and a good cover makes a big difference: see best ironing boards.
- Ironing a lot of shirts? A steam generator can halve the time: see best iron for shirts.
Frequently asked questions
What order should you iron a shirt in?
Collar, cuffs, sleeves, yoke, back, then front panels.
What temperature should I iron a shirt at?
Follow the care label: hot for cotton, medium for polycotton, cool for polyester.
Should a shirt be damp when ironing?
Slightly damp is best for cotton. Mist it with water or iron it straight from a short spin.
How do I avoid shiny marks on shirts?
Iron dark fabrics inside out or use a pressing cloth, and don’t use a temperature higher than the label allows.
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