Iron Flat

Even if you have to do only very small areas of the garment at a time make sure it's flat before you start.

For example, this area here is crinkled when doing a collar so DON'T GO OVER IT or you'll set a crease that will be more difficult to remove.

If you don't make sure that the general area is flat before you start ironing any backward or sideways movement will run over an area that isn't flat and cause a crease. Creases put in by the iron are far harder to remove than normal creases.

Use Both Hands

The wrinkles in the edge of this shirt disappear when the top is pulled while pressing the iron down on the bottom. Ironing under this sort of tension will give the best results and can only be done using two hands.

Most importantly you should use both hands to smooth down any garment you're ironing before you place the iron on it.

Fabrics such as cotton, linen and cheesecloth need to be stretched under the iron as they shrink a little in the wash. IN fact, most fabrics look better if finished under tension, they get a crispness that doesn't come from untenisioned cloth.

Using both hands also makes it easier to control any garment in the board. Many fabrics slip easily over and even off a board, using both hands helps you maintain the control you need when ironing.

The Amateur Wobble

You see so many people doing this movement but no-one can say why they think it does any good. It certainly wastes time and it does absolutely nothing to improve the end result.

The iron is a shape similar to that of a ship for a reason. As it goes forward it pushes fabric aside and smoothes its way forward. If you then move straight back you will be going over a part that is already flat and make it flatter.

Move Your Body

The aim in good ironing is to move the iron forward in the direction of its nose. You can see what happens in the left hand picture when you try to do this without moving your body. The arm and body are totally twisted and it's very difficult to iron . Moving to the end of the board (illustrated right) makes it easier to maneuver and better results will follow.

Professionals don't iron in front of the television and perhaps the one thing this leads to is concentration on the job in hand. It also means you don't have to stay in one position just to see the TV. clearly.