How to iron clothes? Teaching a teenager

Woolen and knitted items are indispensable in cold weather. They keep you warm, but require special care. One of the main problems when using this material is that wool can be eaten by moths, and holes appear in the products. This is why it is important to store wool items correctly.

It is also important to wash and iron wool properly, as it can easily shrink, lose shape and become deformed. In this article we will look at how to properly care for woolen items and how to properly iron wool so that it does not lose its presentable appearance and retains its functions.

Is it possible to iron wool?

Not every woolen item needs to be ironed. Sometimes after washing it is enough to hang the clothes on hangers and straighten them thoroughly. For greater effect, place a container of boiling water under the product for several hours. Then the clothes will quickly take their previous shape.

There is no need to iron a wool coat. In addition, ironing can even ruin the material. After washing, outerwear is first wrapped in a terry towel so that it absorbs excess moisture.

Then the coat is laid out on a horizontal surface in a room with good air exchange. It is impossible to dry such products vertically, as they will lose their shape and stretch. Read more about how to care for a wool coat here.

Before steaming or ironing woolen items, be sure to check the label. He will tell you whether the product can be ironed and at what temperature it should be ironed. Ironing is indicated by the iron icon. You may come across the following notations:

Do not iron or steam

Ironing is allowed at any temperature with or without steam

Can be ironed at low temperature up to 100 degrees with fabric backing without steam, (suitable for synthetics, acrylic, polyester, nylon, organza)

Can be ironed at medium temperature up to 150 degrees with a damp cloth backing, (suitable for wool, viscose mixed fibers with polyester)

Can be ironed at high temperatures up to 200 degrees, slightly dampening the fabric if necessary (suitable for cotton and linen)

Can't steam

Wool

What is the material - wool?
Why are products made from natural wool considered one of the most expensive? What is wool fabric and how did it come about? The designation “wool” is used to refer to a whole group of textile materials; in the process of their production, the natural hair of the animal is usually used. During the processing of the resulting plant raw materials, yarn, fabric, knitwear, and felt crafts are obtained. Animal down is the most valuable.

Angora, cashmere, alpaca - all these types of fabrics are made from down (rabbit, alpaca and goat, respectively). Such types of fabric as Boston, boucle, gabardine, velor drape, carpet coat, plush, ratin, faille, and cheviot are obtained from sheep wool.

There are synthetic ways to obtain fabric, for example, using viscose, artificial wool is produced chemically. The composition of woolen fabric with the addition of viscose is called vistra. Synthetic fabric is noticeably different from real fabric and is inferior to the latter in terms of naturalness, but it is also often used in the production of soft toys for children, tights, and also in the manufacture of various hats.

People learned to extract wool thousands of years ago. Man, who once tamed wild animals, at first was content only with the milk and meat received from them, but after a while he saw in livestock a valuable source for creating matter and the ability to heat himself and his home.

The invention of synthetic fibers caused a decline in demand for products made from natural wool. The wave of popularity resumed again with the decision to “dilute” natural wool with those same synthetic fibers. In this way, it was possible to improve the products, make them more reliable - things began to be worn longer and did not deteriorate as much during washing.

Types of wool fabrics can have different properties and features unique to them. All sorts of options emerge based on the type of fiber weave used. It is also necessary to pay attention to the density of the finished canvas.

Let's look at the pros and cons of wool fabric in more detail. It should be noted that natural wool has unchanged characteristics:

quite elastic in its structure;
able to keep its shape;
elastic and pliable;
has the ability to retain heat for a long time;
has a high hygroscopicity rate (the ability to absorb moisture from the air);
resistant to absorption of dirt and dust;
practically does not absorb odors.

Among the disadvantages of wool is its delicacy and the need for special care. Until now, wool is quite expensive, but the high quality, appearance and durability of a wool product can fully justify the price.

Wool is conventionally divided into merino, camel, sheep, angora, fox, alpaca wool, depending on the owner, who is the source of valuable fiber. People even make belts from dog hair that they use for back pain. It is believed that each animal is unique due to its special wool properties.

Wool is obtained using various methods: it is collected during the natural molting period of animals, it is torn from skins, or they try to restore it from torn strands. Next, it is necessary to process the extracted material in order to additionally spray it with special detergents in order to eliminate the yellowish tint and admixture of dirt and sand.

Now you can make spinning thread. In turn, the thread should differ in thickness: thin yarn allows you to produce thin fabric for sewing ladies' trousers, sundresses and suits; Thicker threads make it possible to make fabric for the production of outerwear, scarves, coats and other “rough” things.

The scope of application of woolen fabrics is as huge as the range of woolen fabrics and products made from them. A very large number of items are made from wool that surround us every day in everyday life: carpets, bedding and rugs, blankets and mattresses, tents, belts, felt boots, socks, mittens and gloves, leg warmers, scarves, clothing items, accessories, bags, ties and much more.

The rules for caring for hair are quite simple. When storing woolen items, it is better to avoid “hangers” and hangers - they cause the shoulders and sleeves to stretch over time.

The most convenient way is to put things on a shelf in a closet or wardrobe. It would be a good idea to leave some kind of moth repellent along with the folded things. The most common ones contain tobacco and lavender extracts. People often use dried peels of citrus fruits, such as oranges. The optimal conditions for storing wool items are normal room temperature. Avoid high humidity and do not forget things on batteries.

How to care for wool when the item is actively used for a long time? When forming puffs and loops, you can use a regular crochet hook, needle or any other object with a sharp end. You need to carefully hook the puff and hide it in the inside.

It is possible to renew wool products by removing the pellets from them. The procedure can be performed using a machine designed for this (the best option) or a simple razor (a sharp blade can easily make a hole or a pinch, so you need to be as careful as possible).

Ironing wool is a rather painstaking process that requires attention and caution.

Why and how is it best to iron wool? Knitted products practically do not wrinkle. This is one of the characteristics of wool. In most cases, you can get by using a trample - and the item itself will get rid of bruises and folds. Wool fibers have smoothing properties.

If you still intend to iron the wool, you must be extremely careful so as not to spoil or burn the wool fabric. Previously, woolen fabric was ironed using heated stones or rollers, which made it difficult to damage the item. Nowadays the equipment has enough power and a high temperature threshold, so it is necessary to take into account the permissible temperature norm.

At what temperature should you iron wool?

Most modern irons already have basic modes installed that do not require additional settings. You just need to set the pointer to “Wool” and start ironing. However, you also need to be vigilant with the automatic temperature program: if you are distracted or overextend the iron, you can damage the delicate fabric. Look for additional clues on the labels of your items: manufacturers always indicate ironing recommendations based on the composition.

The temperature for ironing wool is 180 degrees. The material needs moisture even more than cotton fabric. The disadvantage of high-quality and expensive woolen items is that they are prone to rapid deformation and loss of shape. Lack of proper care leads to compression or stretching of the material. Therefore, iron them inside out using a cloth soaked in water, preventing the iron from sliding on the fabric.

Silk should be ironed from the inside out, after placing a thin damp cloth (for example, gauze) on top. The temperature for ironing silk does not exceed 160 degrees. Silk products require special attention when processing with a hot iron:

a little overkill with the temperature or stopping in one place during the ironing process leads to the formation of scorch marks;
treatment with steam or water from a spray bottle may cause stains to appear on the product.

Silk is ironed while wet, not allowing the product to dry after washing or after holding it in a wet rag or towel.

To iron silk products without leaving stains or marks, you need to know exactly not only the ironing temperature. There are other ways to remove wrinkles without using an iron.

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Tulle is also made from various delicate materials, which is why it is so important to know how to iron tulle so as not to spoil anything. Here you will find the most useful tips for yourself - let's study them.

Dry. In this way, iron things from the wrong side or the right side.
With hydration. The product is sprayed with water or wrapped in a damp towel, and then ironed with a hot iron.
With steaming. In this case, the iron uses the steam function. Under no circumstances should you iron items that shrink, such as viscose.

If you are unsure which ironing method is appropriate for a garment, try ironing a small area on the reverse side.

Different fabrics require different temperatures, moisture levels, and ironing methods, so be sure to read the label.

Synthetic fabrics can only be treated with a warm iron using damp gauze for certain areas of the product. It is best to iron synthetics through the lining fabric.
Silk must be moistened before ironing by first wrapping the product in a wet cloth for half an hour. Under no circumstances should you spray a silk item: subsequently, water droplets may appear as ugly stains. Iron dark silk through a thin fabric from the wrong side, but it is better to iron light-colored items from the front.
Lining fabrics (satin, twill, silk) must be ironed from the wrong side without wetting, so as not to lose shine and not leave water stains.
Jersey is best ironed through damp gauze or linen using a warm iron. Remember that this material stretches well. Therefore, try not to deform the item with sudden movements of the iron.
Raw silk is used in making curtains and decorative items. This material is ironed while wet from the inside out with a very hot iron.
Rayon. After washing, it is best to wrap it in a material that absorbs moisture well. Iron from the inside out with a moderately heated iron.
Terry products should not be ironed to maintain their softness and ability to absorb moisture well.
Wool shrinks quickly, so products made from it are ironed only through a damp cloth on the reverse side at a temperature of 150–165 °C, carefully applying the iron. If woolen items shrink during washing, they are moistened by spraying with water, allowed to rest and ironed through a rag, stretching them to the desired size.

Synthetic fabrics can only be treated with a warm iron using damp gauze for certain areas of the product. It is best to iron synthetics through the lining fabric.
Silk must be moistened before ironing by first wrapping the product in a wet cloth for half an hour. Under no circumstances should you spray a silk item: subsequently, water droplets may appear as ugly stains. Iron dark silk through a thin fabric from the wrong side, but it is better to iron light-colored items from the front.
Lining fabrics (satin, twill, silk) must be ironed from the wrong side without wetting, so as not to lose shine and not leave water stains.
Jersey is best ironed through damp gauze or linen using a warm iron. Remember that this material stretches well. Therefore, try not to deform the item with sudden movements of the iron.
Raw silk is used in making curtains and decorative items. This material is ironed while wet from the inside out with a very hot iron.
Rayon. After washing, it is best to wrap it in a material that absorbs moisture well. Iron from the inside out with a moderately heated iron.
Terry products should not be ironed to maintain their softness and ability to absorb moisture well.
Wool shrinks quickly, so products made from it are ironed only through a damp cloth on the reverse side at a temperature of 150–165 °C, carefully applying the iron. If woolen items shrink during washing, they are moistened by spraying with water, allowed to rest and ironed through a rag, stretching them to the desired size.

How to iron woolen items correctly

You need to iron wool trousers, trousers, sweaters and other items made of wool on an ironing board, placing a damp, thick, light-colored cotton fabric under the items;
It is better to iron the material while it is still damp, but not damp. You cannot iron raw wool, as it will become deformed;
You can iron at low or medium temperature up to 150 degrees. Do not press the iron hard and use gentle strokes.
First, you can lightly scald the material, and only then iron it;
Dried wool can be ironed through a damp cotton cloth with a cool iron;
Carefully straighten the product before ironing and iron only from the wrong side until it is completely dry;
It is better not to iron relief patterns and seams on fabric, but only steam them. You can only lightly touch the seams with an iron, otherwise marks and stains may remain on the front side;
To iron knitted wool items, place damp gauze on the clothing;
Openwork and thin woolen items are ironed quickly, without lingering in the same area. Movements should be smooth and careful so as not to burn the material;
After washing, things with fluff and long pile should be ironed not with an iron, but with a rolling pin. To do this, place the product between two towels and roll it with a regular rolling pin until the material is dry;
To iron wool items without an iron, hang the items on hangers after washing over a container of boiling water. In addition, you can sprinkle the material with water after washing and lay it on a horizontal surface;
If the item does not dry completely during ironing, leave it to dry on a horizontal surface. Do not dry wool items on or near a radiator or other heating devices!;
Do not use an iron with burnt or stained soleplates!

Cotton and linen

Almost no one has a question at what temperature to iron cotton or linen: you need to set the maximum value on the relay and you can start working. But the fabric, unassuming at first glance, is quite difficult to smooth out, always remaining slightly wrinkled. How to avoid this effect?

It is equally important to set the temperature correctly:

100% cotton should be ironed at a temperature of 150 to 200 degrees, with powerful steaming or spraying water with a spray bottle;
cotton is diluted with polyester - in this case, the ironing temperature is no more than 110 degrees, the amount of steam and water is limited to a minimum;
The material contains cotton and linen threads - the relay is set to 180-200 degrees, and the item is generously moistened with water.

Linen can only be exposed to very high temperatures - up to 230 degrees. The product is ironed from the front side, so you must be careful not to burn the item.

Before washing, the lace is sewn with large stitches to a piece of white fabric, then washed, starched and, without allowing it to dry, ironed with the tip of an iron.

It is important to know what threads make up the lace. For example, openwork items made of cotton threads are ironed from the wrong side through a wet fabric. But synthetic lace can only be tolerated by a warm iron. Thin silk linen should not be ironed.

It is also not recommended to iron ties. You can refresh the appearance of the product by straightening it and wrapping it around a jar of boiling water.

Things made from such materials are always turned inside out before ironing, since the iron can only be applied to the wrong side. It is better to wrap the inverted item in a wet towel for 20-30 minutes, after which you can begin ironing through gauze. It is better to use a steamer or steam function in the iron, but do not heat it to more than 200 degrees. If the cotton is thin, limit the temperature to 160-180 degrees.

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Can wool be washed? After all, animals, wearing it on themselves, do not use dry cleaning services. Wool, although it is hygroscopic and has a fairly low level of absorption of dirt and dust, still needs to be washed. Let's look at what you should pay special attention to in more detail.

How to wash wool? It is best to wash woolen items by hand using special detergents at a water temperature of 30 degrees. An important point in this procedure is that woolen items should not be left in water for a long time - this can cause them to lose their shape and stretch.

How to wash wool in a washing machine? Use the delicate cycle of your washing machine. Many modern machines have programs with the same name installed.

At what temperature should I wash wool? Firstly, avoid sudden changes in temperature: you cannot wash things in water with a temperature of 45 degrees, and rinse them with a temperature of 10. To be on the safe side, move the temperature regulator indicator to minimum. Washing wool should be as gentle as possible. To keep your items soft for as long as possible, use a special wool conditioner during the final rinse. After rinsing, it is best to wring out the items by hand and dry them flat using a towel or sheet.

When can I iron?

If the item was purchased in a store, carefully study the label. The pictures on it show how to care for your clothes.

It is easy to understand the meaning of the abbreviations:

a crossed out iron means that the material cannot be steamed or ironed;
if the crossed out picture is accompanied by two vertical lines at the bottom, the clothes cannot be steamed;
an iron with one dot inside says that ironing is allowed at temperatures below 100 degrees without steam through gauze;
iron with two points - the product can be ironed and steamed by heating the device to 150 degrees, using damp gauze or cloth;
an iron without additional symbols indicates that the item can be ironed at any temperature.

To steam, pour purified water inside the device. This will help avoid contamination of the iron soleplate and damage to the material.

Basic ironing rules

There are little tricks on how to quickly iron a mountain of things, saving your time and electricity.

All items should be ironed from right to left. First, iron the widest and largest piece of clothing, then move on to narrow and small ones.
The iron is guided strictly along the thread, longitudinal or transverse, otherwise the item can be stretched. If the fabric is cut on the bias, then you also need to move the iron diagonally.
If the product has collars, cuffs, frills, or lace, then you should first iron them.
Items made from dark-colored fabrics are always ironed from the inside out - then shading and white marks will not be visible on the front side.
Before you start ironing, it is better to sort things by fabric type and color - then you won’t have to constantly switch the temperature mode and wait until the soleplate of the iron cools down or heats up to the desired temperature.

And now briefly about how to iron products of different styles from different types of fabric.

How to steam things?

When steaming, the risk of damaging the wool is minimal. This method is suitable for knitted and crocheted patterns.

Sweaters, sweaters, and trousers made of wool are best processed in a horizontal position. Place the caps on a glass jar first, this way they retain their shape perfectly.

It is more convenient to do the processing with a steam generator, but you can also use a regular iron with a steaming system:

To prevent the item from stretching, straighten it, hang it on hangers and secure it in the desired position with pins.
Whatever wool item you steam, be sure to cover it with gauze first.
Pour purified water into the container, heat it and run it through the steam, holding the device at a slight distance from the surface. Try to keep the gauze moist at all times and re-moisten it periodically.

After finishing steaming, wait until the item cools down completely and dries. If you put it on too early, it may become deformed.

Useful tips

Ironing may not be necessary if you dry things after straightening out all the creases:

To keep mohair jackets and sweaters looking presentable, wrap them in a thick towel after washing, carefully twist them and lay them out horizontally to dry.
Hang semi-dry clothes made from thin acrylic threads on hangers and smooth them out with your hands. To smooth out wrinkles, boil water, pour it into a bowl and hang the item over the steam.
To remove creases from an openwork sweater, use a wooden rolling pin. First, wet two terry towels and wring them thoroughly. Place one on a horizontal surface, place clothes on top and cover with a second towel. Take a rolling pin and roll it over the terry material several times. The wrinkles in the clothing should be smoothed out. The same method is suitable for things with long pile, downy scarves.
If you urgently need to get your hair in order, but you don’t have an iron at hand, a regular hair dryer will do. Cover the material with damp gauze, turn on the device and treat with hot air, holding it at a distance of 10 mm from the product.
White wool threads are more afraid of high temperatures than others. This causes them to turn yellow and lose their attractive appearance, so steam and iron white clothes at low speed.

Wool is a capricious material that can easily be damaged by a hot iron. To prevent this from happening, iron it as a last resort, do not exceed the permissible temperature and do not handle a wet item, otherwise it may stretch.