Ironing shirts with a regular iron is gradually becoming a thing of the past.
Housewives spend a lot of time ironing every fold, ironing cuffs and collars. Now, in order to smooth out wrinkled clothes, just place them on the mannequin and wait. At this time, you can do other useful things. Tired, labor-intensive ironing is gradually becoming a thing of the past.
In this article we will talk about popular shirt ironing machines that allow you to iron sleeves, collars and cuffs without problems and energy consumption, and about the cost of these devices.
Classic iron for ironing clothes
There is probably not a single family that does not have an iron. It is the most affordable and at first glance easy to use. Consists of a metal platform with a built-in heating element, water tank, cable and thermostat. Modern models also have a steam function and vertical steaming, which makes ironing easier. You can iron a shirt, but you have to be an expert and get used to it. pros
- Takes up minimal space in the apartment.
- Easy to move from room to room.
- The most compact models (and there are some) can be taken with you on a trip.
- It's inexpensive.
- The device with water becomes massive, the hand quickly gets tired.
- The volume of the water tank does not exceed 400 ml, so you have to constantly add liquid.
- The cord may not be sufficient for ironing bed linen.
- The steam comes out under slight pressure, so it will not be possible to smooth out heavily wrinkled fabric.
- Things made of thin fabric deteriorate when they come into contact with a heated sole.
- You need to buy an ironing board.
Minuses
Important nuances
There are a few additional points to consider:
- After washing, the shirts are thoroughly shaken, straightened, and dried on hangers, with the collar in its natural position and the sleeves stretched out without wrinkles.
- If ironing is not possible right away, the shirts are carefully folded so that the collar and cuffs do not wrinkle - they are the most difficult to iron.
- Ironing sleeves is the longest and most difficult. If the shirt is worn only under a jacket, you can leave the arrows. In any case, the cuffs are brought to perfect condition.
- It is better to iron dark shirts from the inside out so that there is no shine or tarnish left.
Embroideries and labels are ironed carefully, through the fabric, from the wrong side. It is better not to touch them with a very hot iron.
Garment steamer
A compact gadget in which smoothing occurs by softening and straightening fabric fibers under the influence of hot steam.
In addition to decluttering, some models can disinfect items during the steaming process. A steamer is unlikely to smooth out a cotton shirt, and you can forget about creases on your trousers. pros
Minuses
Useful tips
Remember that you can only iron a clean, fresh shirt - under the influence of high temperatures, even a subtle odor tends to intensify many times over. Never iron on a sofa: in this case, particles of upholstery or bedspread run the risk of literally sticking to the item. The day before ironing, wrap the dampened shirt in a plastic bag. Within half an hour, the fabric will be evenly saturated with moisture and will be ironed much easier. A piece of cardboard will help maintain the exemplary shape of the collar. Fix the rectangle under the collar and the shirt will retain its businesslike, elegant look for a long time.
Learning to iron a shirt is a completely simple matter. By adopting this skill, you will not only save a lot of time and effort, but also make the most favorable impression on others - like a skilled housewife who knows a lot about housekeeping!
Steam generator for clothes
A steam generator is a good alternative to a regular iron.
It handles large volumes of ironing faster. Smoothing occurs thanks to a powerful flow of high temperature steam of 100-140 degrees. pros
Minuses
What are the benefits for you personally?
- This completely new and unusual device will help you always look elegant and sophisticated, because your shirts and blouses will be carefully ironed even in the most inaccessible places: armholes, sleeves, cuffs.
- You can plan your free time as you please, since the machine will completely replace the iron for ironing shirts and you will have much more free time than before.
- Did the fabric lose its color when drying things outside? Now this is not a problem, because when using an ironing machine, steam is used, which does not in any way affect the color of the clothes.
- You can also forget about ironed areas on a shirt, especially for dark-colored fabrics.
Important! A significant advantage can be considered the minimal impact of the device on the environment, because it works without the use of chemicals. And on top of that, the shirt ironing machine will significantly save energy: its power is only 1500 W, and if you do not use the device for more than 5 minutes, it automatically switches to “economy” mode.
Ironing system for clothes
Steamer, ironing board, steam generator, professional iron - all this is combined in the ironing system.
It is universal, easy to use, performs many functions and provides professional care to your clothes. It allows you to iron your shirt quickly and easily. You can still have time to make perfect creases on your trousers, thanks to the active ironing board. pros
Minuses
Wash
Before washing, unbutton all buttons, this will reduce the stress on the seams that hold the buttons on the shirt. Also remember to remove the collar stiffeners before washing. This will prevent uneven wear on the collar points.
You also won't have to look for them at the bottom of the drum or among the rest of the wash if they fall out.
Turn all shirts inside out. This protects the mother-of-pearl buttons from chipping on the steel drum and allows cleaning products direct access to underarm stains.
Wash in water at a temperature of 40 to 60 degrees, trying to read the washing instructions on the shirt label in case there are other important recommendations.
Ironing mannequin
Such an outlandish device could previously only be found in dry cleaners and laundries, where professional equipment is used.
But today, manufacturers have tried and released semi-professional models of mannequins onto the market that can be used at home. The mannequin is a special frame with inflatable elements on a rotating mechanism that imitate the shape of the human body. In household versions there is an inflatable mannequin with two types of shape. The first is for shirts, jackets and jackets, and the second is for ironing trousers.
Simply put a wrinkled shirt or trousers on the mannequin and select the desired operating mode. Then the automation will do everything itself, and within 10 minutes you will get smooth and warm clothes that don’t even need to be dried.
Advantages:
Flaws:
To sum up all the above techniques, the ironing system clearly wins. It is just perfect for easily and professionally ironing shirts.
Care Tips
Today, not every person can spend time ironing things due to their busy schedule. To avoid burdening yourself with additional tasks, you can use some useful life hacks.
- The easiest way to avoid ironing is to prevent your shirts from getting wrinkled during washing. After washing, you should set the spin cycle to gentle and do not wring out items by hand. Next, the products simply need to be hung on hangers and placed on a balcony or in a well-ventilated area.
- The folds can be straightened by putting the shirt on the person. To make the product look beautiful, you need to spray it a little with water and then put it on, carefully adjusting the sleeves.
- It is possible to perform manual steaming using hot water. The item must be hung on hangers and secured in the bathroom so that drops of water fall on it. To obtain the desired temperature, you need to open a hot water tap and direct the stream into the wall. After a few minutes, the shirt can be put on the body, and after a while all the wrinkles will disappear.
The nuances of storing ironed shirts
Most people prefer to store clean and ironed shirts in the closet on hangers. But not everyone has a dressing room of optimal dimensions. In this case, you need to know simple storage methods:
- All buttons on the shirt should be fastened.
- Then turn the product with the buttons down.
- Next, you need to fold the sleeves. To do this, one of the sleeves with a shelf needs to be lightly laid on top of the second sleeve, then, bending it, lowered along the side folded shelf. The second part of the shirt is folded in the same way.
- The lower part of the shirt is folded several times and turned over.
Some more useful tips
To iron your shirt better, you should start processing it while it is still damp. If the fabric is a little dry, you can iron it with steam.
To maintain the shape of the collar, you can apply a little starch spray to it. At the same time, it is more practical to iron several similar shirts at once, so as not to force yourself into a daily routine.
As for handling the iron, it is necessary to drain the water after each ironing (this will keep the bed clean). The steam holes should occasionally be cleaned with a 1:1 solution of water and vinegar. High-quality steam is obtained if clean water without impurities is poured into the iron.
Which ironing system to choose from the many on the market?
The legendary Swiss brand LAURASTAR is known throughout the world for its technology and impeccable reputation. When creating ironing machines, engineers and designers had a main goal - to make unique designs accessible to everyone. The first system was offered to customers in 1986 and became innovative for its time. It still helps to take care of the most expensive and delicate fabrics, keeping them looking beautiful. And in 1996, a model appeared equipped with a professional board with a fan and a vacuum function to prevent wrinkles and reliably protect the fabric. More than 1 million of these products have been sold worldwide.
Ironing step by step
The collar is the first thing people will notice. When you put on a shirt, it is necessary that it stands and is carefully ironed
When ironing a long-sleeved shirt, avoid creating creases; they are not needed for shirts.
Collar
- start this process from the inside to avoid smoothing out the folds;
- smooth out the front part of the collar;
- Do not iron along the fold.
The collar is the first thing people will notice. When you put on a shirt, it is necessary that it stands and is carefully ironed
Cuffs
- The cuffs must be ironed on the front and back sides;
- give the cuff the required shape;
- iron along the fold.
The cuffs are one of the first places on a shirt that people pay attention to, so they need to look impeccable.
Sleeves
- fold the sleeve along the seam and place it on a flat surface;
- start ironing the item from the shoulder to the cuff;
- turn over to the other side and iron again;
- do not iron the sleeves close to the edge to avoid creases;
- repeat all steps with the second sleeve.
If in an office or other place there is no dress code regarding wearing jackets, then your sleeves will be visible to everyone
It is important that the sleeves are ironed and there are no arrows on them
Why is the Laurastar ironing system the best choice for shirts?
Active ironing boardEach installation has an active board and operates in two modes: “Blowing” and “Vacuum”.
The “Blowing” mode distributes the fabric on the board and forms an air cushion, which prevents the seams from imprinting and the formation of creases. With the “Vacuum” mode, you don’t need to twist around and lay down gauze to smooth out creases: the system itself will fix things on the board so that you can quickly make creases on your trousers. Professional iron The lightweight iron weighs just over 1 kg, your hand will no longer get tired from ironing. An important detail: the buttons for supplying steam are located on both sides to make it comfortable for both right-handed and left-handed people to control the process.
DisinfectionAn independent Swiss laboratory has recorded that LAURASTAR's patented microdispersed steam eliminates 99.99% of viruses, bacteria, fungi and 100% of dust mites that remain in fabric fibers even after washing, and the product remains perfectly clean for at least another 24 hours.
Vertical steaming You can quickly steam a silk dress, coat or even curtains thanks to a lightweight iron and a powerful stream of steam.
Powerful steam flow with a constant pressure of 3.5 bar Thanks to the patented double heating technology, the system produces 200 liters of steam per minute. And this steam is dry: you can forget about wet marks on fabrics from conventional steam generators. The flow is supplied under a pressure of 3.5 bar - a precisely selected value in order to smooth out cotton linen in 4 layers, and not damage the delicate fibers of cashmere pullovers and silk blouses.
Convenient designYou don’t need to come up with a “special place” to store the device. When folded, it measures approximately 20 cm in depth (easily fits in a closet) and moves on wheels.
Inexpensive models (up to 4,000)
MIE Graze
pros
- the highest steam supply among analogues;
- large area of the sole of the iron;
- light weight device;
- fast water heating;
- anti-drip system;
- There is a steam button lock.
Minuses
- weak plug for filling water;
- low power;
- There is no protective glove.
From 2990 ₽
This steamer is among the top best clothes steamers of 2022. A compact household appliance that meets the description and expectations. It steams wonderfully, even for thick fabrics the steam output is sufficient. Steams both vertically and horizontally. This device is ideal in terms of price-quality ratio.
Philips GC351/20 Steam&Go
pros
- weighs little;
- heats up quickly.
Minuses
- few holes for steam to escape;
- inconvenient steam supply.
From 3040 ₽
Works only in a vertical position, suitable as an addition to the iron.
Rating of TOP-3 LAURASTAR ironing systems for shirts in 2021.
The LAURASTAR collection currently includes 2 series of modern ironing systems for the home: and SMART.
2 generations, 3 levels of comfort and 3 price categories will allow you to choose the model that suits you. Ironing systems of the S series are basic models for those who are looking for the optimal balance of functionality and cost. They are equipped with an active ironing board with “Blow” and “Vacuum” modes. A powerful boiler producing a constant flow of steam with a pressure of 3.5 bar is also available. And you no longer need to wait for reheating after adding water - ironing becomes continuous and therefore even faster. And here that new level of comfort appears. There are 3 models in the series, differing in the weight of the iron:
- for model S the iron weighs 1.36 kg,
- for S Plus - 1.26 kg,
- while the S Extra model weighs just 1.18 kg and is equipped with an active 3D soleplate for smoothing a larger surface of the fabric in one stroke.
SMART ironing systems are a new generation of LAURASTAR equipment. At your disposal are 2 models - SMART I and SMART M - with the same active ironing board, professional iron and powerful boiler. But now all processes have become automatic and as modern as possible. You no longer need to select the temperature and switch modes. Experts from Switzerland have accurately calculated the temperature suitable for all types of fabrics, except for delicate ones - for them there is a special protective nozzle included. These models feature automatic cord rewinding. Thanks to the LAURASTAR Smart mobile application, to which the device is connected, you will find all the information about its condition, you will be able to adjust settings and watch video advice from experts. The SMART I iron has a classic soleplate, while the SMART M iron has an active 3D soleplate with a metal element for ironing a larger area of fabric. In addition, only the SMART M system has the function of automatic steam supply when the iron moves.
Where and how to purchase the device?
Large hardware stores, such as DNS, for example, have a large selection of ironing machines.
You can order directly from the manufacturer, but they are also available in many online hardware stores. Some options are offered on such a popular resource as aliexpress.com. When purchasing, you should pay attention to the manufacturer .
Better quality cars are offered by manufacturers from Italy and Germany. If you are interested in a low price, then you should sacrifice quality here and purchase the product from a Chinese manufacturer.
It is also worth paying attention to the power of the ironing machine. This determines how quickly the item will be dried and ironed.
Iron the front and back of the shirt
When processing the shelves and back, you need to carefully iron the seams. To avoid creases, the fabric should be slightly stretched. Before you start processing the back, you need to iron the shelf on the side of which the buttons are located. To do this, you need to walk the nose of the iron along the space located between them. In some products, the strip is also ironed from the inside out.
Then place the product with the wrong side up, iron the seam near the collar and begin to move the device down, with the blunt side of the sole forward. This will allow you to stretch the material a little and remove the “waves” that appear on the bar.
After ironing the front, move the shirt so that the side seam of the armhole is placed on the ironing board and iron it. Then, moving the product, iron the side seam and back. To avoid the formation of folds in the seam area, the material should be slightly stretched. Having ironed the back, you should move on to the shelf with loops: iron it at the very end.
Solving common problems
Shirts made from compressed fabric are never ironed, but if such a mistake has already occurred, there is a sure way to save your favorite item.
- Place the shirt in a bowl of cool water - when it is completely wet, wring it out and place it on a flat surface.
- Align the parts of the product, and then begin to manually form folds, starting from the center of one of their sides. The depth of the “wrinkles” should be approximately 2.5 centimeters.
- Now you need to involve an assistant in the process. Twist the shirt with a rope in opposite directions - the result is a tight spiral. To prevent it from falling apart, secure the ends with cotton rope.
- Let the shirt dry directly in this state, it is recommended to put some kind of weight on top.
Often, after ironing, shiny spots form on the fabric. You can also successfully fight them:
Rub dry salt onto the shiny area. If this does not help, mix a spoonful of salt with the same amount of ammonia and two tablespoons of water: treat the affected fabric with a dampened sponge, then rinse with warm water and iron through a damp cloth. If we are talking about delicate fabric, you can try onion juice: divide the peeled onion into two halves and rub the shiny areas. The shirt will then need to be washed again. Prepare a vinegar solution (1 cup of vinegar per 3 glasses of water). Dampen the shiny prints, and later, while ironing, spray the fabric again from the sprayer (turn the iron to steam mode). Baking soda will take care of removing shine from silk and wool fabrics: mix a little water and spread the paste over the stained area. When the composition dries, sweep off the powder with a soft brush and rinse with cool water. You can use a regular soap solution to remove excess shine from black fabric: moisten the gauze and lightly, without pressing, iron the shirt. After this, the item should dry naturally. Lemon juice is also great for black shirts - just sprinkle a few drops on the marks and rub lightly. Old newspaper removes scorch marks very well, but you will need to be extremely careful. When ironing the item through a sheet of newspaper, make sure that the paint does not cling to the fabric. In many cases, a strong tea infusion can correct the situation.
Brew loose-leaf black tea, wipe the cloth and carefully “walk” with a not hot iron. There will certainly not be a trace left of the flaw!