How to Iron Pants Like a Marine
To achieve a crisp, ironed look and knife-edge crease in their trousers, Marines use specific techniques for starching and ironing. Although some of the effect is created by the permanent crease manufactured into many Marine uniforms, you can achieve a similar look with hand-washable trousers in natural fabrics such as cotton, wool or linen. Knits and some synthetics may not hold a crease to Marine standards. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Hand-washable trousers
- Liquid starch
- Spray starch
- Spray bottle of water
- Steam iron
- Ironing board
- Clothes pins or hanger with trouser clips
Instructions
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Preparing Trousers for Ironing
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1
Hand wash your trousers in a large sink, such as your kitchen sink.
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2
Rinse the trousers thoroughly.
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3
Mix liquid starch and water in the sink, using the proportions recommended by the starch manufacturer for a "medium" level of starching.
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4
Immerse the trousers completely in the water-starch mix and let them soak for at least five minutes.
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5
Drain the water from the sink and press the trousers gently to remove excess liquid. Do not wring the trousers as this might cause wrinkles.
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6
Hang the trousers to dry. Use a hanger with clips or clothespins to hang the trousers from the waistband or belt loops. Do not let the trousers dry completely; they should be slightly damp when you start ironing them.
Ironing Trousers
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7
Begin with slightly damp trousers that have been treated with liquid starch as described previously.
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8
Adjust the iron to the temperature recommended by the trouser manufacturer. Use a steam mode if available on the iron.
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9
Iron the pocket flaps and pocket fabric first. When doing this, only the flap or pocket material should be on the ironing board.
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10
Align the seams of the right leg of the pants precisely as you place the right leg, inner seam facing down on the ironing board. Make sure you are taking advantage of the existing creases rather than creating new ones.
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Pull the pocket material out and open the pocket flaps as you iron the right leg so that you don't iron over flaps or pocket material. Start at the center of the leg and work your way out to the creases. Spray starch on the creases and iron the creases. Repeat with the left leg.
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12
Unbutton and unzip the trousers. Place the back of the trousers over the small end of the ironing board and iron the waistband and hip area, making sure not to run the iron over the pocket flaps. Turn the trousers on the iron board to finish ironing the front of the waistband and the material covering the zipper.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a spray bottle of water to dampen the trousers if they dry completely before you are finished ironing.
Sitting down may cause wrinkles in the trouser area over the top of your thighs. Pull your trouser legs up slightly as you sit to minimize wrinkling.
Hot irons can injure children or pets. Always watch your iron closely and after you have finished ironing, unplug the iron and place it on a stable, heat-proof surface such as your stove to cool down.
References
- Photo Credit Medioimages/Photodisc/Valueline/Getty Images
