How to Iron Coats

Save money by ironing your coat yourself.

In the haste of a busy lifestyle, your favorite wool coat could find its way to the back seat of a car, only to get crunched by briefcases and other heavy objects. Or you could emerge from a long road trip, only to find more ripples in your coat than a potato chip. It’s a rare person who approaches the task of ironing with a smile, so it may help to think about how good your wool coat will look once you iron away the wrinkles or creases that have settled upon it.

Things You'll Need

• Iron
• Ironing board
• Lint roller
• Pressing cloth or light cotton cloth
• Small, smooth piece of wood (optional)

Instructions

1. Set your iron to the “wool” setting.

2. Add water to your iron for steam. You should never iron wool in a dry manner.

3. Read the label on your coat before ironing and heed the instructions and warnings.

4. Remove any lint, hair or other dirt from the coat by going over it with a lint roller. Clean any stains now, because ironing will only set the stains permanently.

5. Iron the inside of the coat first by placing a pressing cloth or a light cotton cloth over the area you are ironing. Spray the steam and iron the sleeves in short, smooth strokes. Then spray again and iron from the back of the coat to the front. Ironing from the inside may help reduce, if not remove, creases that show on the outside of the coat.

6. Turn the coat right side out, place the pressing cloth over the collar, hit the “steam” button on your iron and go over the collar. Iron the sleeves, the back of the coat and then the front, moving the pressing cloth as you go. The cloth is necessary to protect the fabric from scorching and leaving a shine on your coat.

7. Repeat the process twice for stubborn creases, and then try blocking the coat. Spray-steam the pressing cloth and rub a small, smooth piece of wood over the crease. Blocking is done in embroidery for the same purpose -- to stretch the fabric void of wrinkles and creases.

8. 

   A hanger is better for your coat, but a coat rack will do, too.

   Hang the coat on a sturdy hanger in a closet where it won’t get smashed, rumpled or otherwise creased.

Tips & Warnings

• Hang your coat on a hanger whenever you aren’t wearing it. This will help prevent wrinkles and creases from developing.

• Hang your coat near the shower and let the steam or dampness remove soft wrinkles naturally.

• Spray a fine mist of half vodka and half water on the armpit area of the coat to freshen it. Let the mixture dry naturally. This should be the last step you undertake before hanging your coat.

References

• Tailoring with Perfection: Wool Fabric Care Tips
• Creative Homewares: How to Iron Clothes - Ironing Clothes Help
• Tipnut: Quick Tips for Laundry
• Sewing Made Easy; Dorothy Sara; 1977