A Guide to Steaming & Ironing
Steaming vs Ironing
Our dress shirts are easy iron so a traditional iron isn't necessary since a steamer will usually do the trick! For more specific instructions, check out our dress shirt use and care guide. We recommend an iron when there are more stubborn wrinkles and folds, especially in stiffer and smaller areas like the collar and cuffs. Ironing is also great for an overall, crisp look.
How to use a Steamer
1. Pull Shirts Down
As pictured, pull shirts down in various spots to straighten out, then glide steamer over wrinkled areas. Use an oven mitt in the pulling hand for protection against burns. Repeat for the front and back of shirt
2. Pull Sleeves Out
Pull the sleeves outward to straighten, and guide steamer over the large area. Repeat on both sides and for both sleeves. Use an oven mitt in the pulling hand for protection against burns
3. Finish with Perfect Shirts
Feel confident with a perfectly crisp and flattering shirt
How to use an Iron
1. Collar
Start with the iron on medium heat, use steam/spray function for more stubborn wrinkles. With shirt fully unbuttoned and the collar flat, iron both sides
2. Cuffs
Unbutton the cuff buttons, as well as the buttons near the wrist. Lay the cuffs flat and press the iron against it
3. Sleeves
Position the sleeves flat so you can barely see the seams near the bottom. Press the iron in the area between the cuffs and armhole
4. Front Flap Right
Lightly stretch the front flap of the shirt, where the buttons, or button holes are, on the ironing board such that the shoulder/armhole are against the narrow part of your board. Press iron against the area, being careful to avoid stressing the buttons
5. Back Right
Move the shirt so that the front flap we just ironed is now "under" the board, and the side seams are against the ironing board. The back of the shirt should be facing up—press iron against the large area
6. Back Center
Slightly adjust the shirt, moving it in the same direction as the previous transition so that the center of the back of shirt is facing up. You will have covered most of this area, but make sure to iron the yoke, which is the part right below the collar
7. Back Left
Continue to move the shirt such that the other side of the back of shirt is now facing up. This is the same as Step 5—press iron against large area
8. Front Flap Left
Same technique as Step 4, continue to move the shirt so that the remaining front flap is now facing up. Press iron on large area
9. Perfect Shirts
Feel confident with a perfectly crisp and flattering shirt