How to Iron Dry-Clean-Only Garments
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1 hours
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Beginner
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- 5
You’ve bought a new shirt that you’re about to throw in the washing machine, when you read the heart-breaking words on the tag: dry-clean only. Luckily, it’s easy to delicately hand wash clothing. After the clothing is hung dry, use this guide to iron your dry-clean-only garments, so that they look crisp and fresh.
Step 1 – Preheat the Iron
First, plug your iron in and turn it on to the appropriate setting. Make sure you’ve turned off the steam function on your iron, as steam can damage your dry-clean-only clothing.
Step 2 – Cover and Iron
Do not use your iron directly on the garment, or it will make the material look shiny. Instead, use a barrier, such as a cotton sheet, to diffuse some of the heat from the iron. Cover the garment with the sheet, and iron it as you normally would. Do not press down hard. Instead, allow the natural weight of the iron to smooth the clothing free of wrinkles.
Step 3 – Hang the Garment
Unless you're immediately putting the clothing on, hang it up to prevent it from getting any more wrinkles.
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![Justin Stewart]()
Justin Stewart is a contributing writer to DoItYourself.com. He loves researching new home improvement techniques, and has written about a huge range of topics, from electrical wiring, to plumbing, to carpentry.![Lindani Chirambadare]()
With over 20 years of professional home cleaning experience, Lindani has extensive knowledge about best practices, space management, and cleaning solutions. Lindani especially loves researching natural, non-harmful ways to clean. She holds an LLBS from the University of Zimbabwe, and is a lifelong learner who always seeks to improve the world around her.
