How to Iron a Chiffon Dress

Iron the inside of a damp chiffon dress for the best results.

Chiffon is a delicate, ethereal fabric and it requires similarly delicate care. Ironing a chiffon dress entails a combination of techniques that is specific to the fibers in the material. The wrong treatment can set wrinkles into the dress or, even worse, damage the garment altogether. Although some fabrics require exceptionally high heat or steam to reach their optimum appearance, chiffon benefits from low heat and no steam. With the right techniques, you can maintain chiffon's lovely delicacy with ease.

Things You'll Need

• Iron
• Ironing board
• Damp towel
• Thin towel or ironing cloth

Instructions

1. Read the label on the dress to determine how you should care for it. Chiffon may contain natural silk or synthetic acetate, and your dress may require care that deviates from standard chiffon care.

2. Preheat an iron to low heat. Many contemporary electric irons have fabric settings on the iron that set the heat. Set the iron to chiffon, if it is an option.

3. Spread the damp chiffon dress face-side down on an ironing board. Expose only the section of the dress you intend to iron first. Keep the rest of the fabric covered with a damp towel so that it does not air-dry while you work on the first section. Wrinkles that air-dry into the fabric are more difficult to iron.

4. Shape the exposed chiffon so that it looks the way it should when worn.

5. Cover the chiffon with a thin towel or ironing cloth to protect it from steam dripping out of the iron, if needed. Do not use any added moisture when you iron chiffon. Droplets of water can stain the fabric.

6. Iron over the shaped, damp chiffon in smooth, even strokes from the center of the dress toward an edge. Lift the protective cloth to make sure the chiffon is drying and setting properly, if you are using protective material.

7. Iron pleats or ruffles from the edge connected to the garment toward the loose edge. Use the tip of the iron to press these decorative sections. If you use the entire surface of the iron, it may press another area of fabric inadvertently.

8. Allow the chiffon to cool thoroughly on the ironing board after you finish pressing it.

9. Remove the damp towel from the part of the fabric that you have not ironed yet. Repeat the ironing and cooling process to finish pressing the fabric.

References

• Stitch 'n Save: Fabric Care
• Dr. Clean: Fibre and Fabric List
• The University of Wisconsin: Hints for Washing and Ironing
• Real Simple: How to Iron