Collared shirts or polo shirts can loosen and become more flexible as you wear them. With an iron and flour, you can make this shirt look tight again, as well as prevent the collars from curling up. Try ironing a collared t-shirt right after washing it when it's just finished drying, but it's still slightly damp. Or, prepare a spray bottle filled with water or a steam iron to moisten the t-shirt. With this special ironing technique, you can keep your collared shirt looking new and still trendy.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Preparing the T-shirt
Step 1. Prepare the flour spray
You can buy ready-to-use sprays at your local convenience store or online store. There are several types of spray available, including traditional aerosol cans or eco-friendly bottles. Another option is to make your own cornstarch spray at home.
Step 2. Check the care label on the collared shirt
This label is usually located on the collar of the shirt. If not, check the inside of both sides of the shirt. The back of the label should include the material of the shirt, how to wash it, and any other special information that should be noted.
Specific instructions on the shirt label are provided by the manufacturer and should take precedence over instructions elsewhere if they differ
Step 3. Wash the shirt early
Be sure to remove any stains on the shirt (such as ink stains or underarm stains) before washing, as the ironing process will allow these stains to settle permanently. Use a quality, non-bleaching detergent and use cold water to machine wash the t-shirt. Do not use fabric softener or bleach.
- Wash collared shirts alone or with other knitwear. You should wash dark clothes separately from light colored clothes.
- Turn the collared shirt so that the outside is inside before washing to prevent the color from fading.
Step 4. Partially dry the collared shirt
You can start the t-shirt drying process with the machine running at low speed, or hang the t-shirt to dry. Whichever method you choose, don't allow the shirt to dry completely unless you plan to use a steam iron or water spray. Collared shirts are best ironed while they are still slightly damp.
- If you're drying your t-shirt, use a hanger and snap it on. Fold the collar of the shirt down then flatten it by hand.
- If your t-shirt is made of cotton, it's a good idea to use a drying rack to prevent the t-shirt from shriveling up.
Part 2 of 2: Ironing T-shirts
Step 1. Prepare the iron and ironing board
Make sure your iron is clean. If your t-shirt is 100% cotton, turn on the iron on high. If your t-shirt is made of mixed materials, use a low temperature.
- If the t-shirt is made of cotton or polyester and is no longer damp after washing, turn on the iron on the steam setting or have a spray bottle filled with water to moisten it. Do not use steam if the shirt is made of silk.
- Try ironing a small part of the inside of the shirt near the crease of the bottom seam first. Lower the temperature of the iron if the high temperature seems too harsh for the t-shirt material.
Step 2. Iron the collar
Spread the t-shirt on the ironing board. Fold the collar down as you wish. Make sure the collar of the shirt is still damp then iron slowly. Turn the shirt over then iron the other side of the collar. Spray a little flour on the collar of the shirt then iron again. After that, flip the collar from the inside out, spray flour, and iron again. This technique will prevent the collar of the shirt from curling up.
Use the tip of the iron to press against the other end of the collar or corner
Step 3. Turn the t-shirt so that the outside is inside then sprinkle with flour
Use your hands to flatten the shirt. Also, flatten the collar down from the inside of the shirt. You don't need to use powder spray on the body of the shirt. However, you can also apply this spray if you want to make the shirt look stiff like a button-down shirt. Spray a little flour on both sides of the shirt.
Flour can leave white patches on clothes. This is one reason why you should iron your shirt from the inside. Another reason is that the t-shirt can be shiny if the material is sensitive to the heat of the iron. Ironing the shirt from the inside will prevent the outside from being shiny or scorched from being ironed
Step 4. Iron the top of the shirt
Iron the sleeves one at a time, pressing the iron and smoothing the fabric from the shoulder crease to the hem. Do not iron beyond the shoulder crease or the shirt will wrinkle. After that, iron the buttons of the shirt and the shoulders. Iron the chest area of the shirt by moving from the center of the buttonhole towards the shoulders.
- Move the iron without stopping. Do not let the iron press on any of the areas for too long.
- Do not iron screen printing logos or small patches on shirts, if any.
Step 5. Iron the center and bottom of the shirt
After you finish ironing the top front of the shirt, iron the bottom. Slide the shirt up so that its center front is on the ironing board. Start ironing from the very top of the shirt and then work your way down. Repeat this step to iron the bottom front of the shirt moving toward the crease of the bottom seam.
Flip the shirt back. This should be the back of the shirt, and the inside of the shirt should still be outside. Flatten the creases of the shirt then repeat the above process on the entire back
Step 6. Turn the shirt over, returning the outer side to its original shape
Check to see if there are any wrinkles on the shirt. Store the shirt on a hanger until it's time to wear it. If you don't have room in the hanging closet, you can also fold the t-shirt.
Tips
If you don't want to iron a collared shirt, consider using a clothes steamer (unless it's made of silk), or taking the shirt to the dry cleaners to tidy up
Warning
- Do not leave the iron connected to the mains where it is easy to snag even if it is running at low temperatures. If the iron cord slides and the iron falls on your feet, you could be injured.
- Do not place aerosol spray cans or other flammable objects near hot irons.
- Don't dry the collared shirt.
- Do not leave the hot iron running unattended around children or pets even if they are on a board. Many burn injuries result from a hot iron falling from a table or ironing board.
- If you get a burn from the iron, turn it off immediately and unplug the iron from the power outlet. Immediately flush the burn with cold running water for 20 minutes. After that, seek medical attention if the burn is deep enough, causes large blisters, or shows signs of infection (such as watering, increasing swelling, redness, or pain).
