Easily Ironing Linen Shirts

Most high-end garments, comfortable and stylish, are made out of natural fibers. But quite often, the cost of dry cleaning dissuades buyers.  I love cotton, linen and silk blends, and long ago learned to take care of my favorite clothing at home, following manufacture’s instructions. 

A slightly crumpled linen garment is chic, if it doesn’t look chewed-on. You can let steam soften wrinkles, hanging in the bathroom what you plan to wear next day, or touch-up with iron before wearing it.

Use water sprayer or canned starch

It takes about ten minutes to iron a linen shirt. Sprinkle garment with water before ironing, and use a water sprayer or canned starch during ironing process, following these steps:

1- Iron collar back and front

2- Iron cuff back and front

3- Fit left upper front of shirt into ironing board to reach sleeve.
Spray water or starch and iron

4- Shift to upper back, fitting into ironing board to reach sleeve.
Spray water or starch and iron. 

5- Fit front upper section into ironing board reaching sleeve.
Spray water or starch and iron. 

6- Turn front section lengthwise, straightening string of
buttons and button-holes (left and right panels).
Spray water or starch and iron, back and front.

7- Stretch left front panel on ironing board.
Spray water or starch and iron entire panel, side-to-side,
top-to-bottom motion. 

8- Shift to back panel, stretch on board, spray water or starch
and iron, starting on one side with top-to-bottom motion.
Repeat step 7 on front right panel 

9- Spread left sleeve on ironing board using seams as guide to
avoid double creases. Spray water or starch and iron,
back and front. Repeat process on right sleeve.

Ironing any garment is easy when we do the intricate parts first.