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Shirts and Tops
How to Iron a Shirt Download Article Co-authored by Sergey Paramonov
Last Updated: June 26, 2025 Fact Checked
Download Article
Preparing Your Shirt
|
Ironing a Dress Shirt
|
Ironing a Tee Shirt
|
Video
|
Tips
|
Warnings
|
Things You'll Need
|Show more|Show less X
This article was co-authored by Sergey Paramonov. Sergey Paramonov is a Laundry Expert and the Co-Founder of FreshRobe laundry and dry-cleaning delivery service based in San Francisco, California. Sergey has over 10 years of experience in the industry and specializes in laundry, dry cleaning services, and delivery services. His facilities use energy and water-efficient technology to prioritize a sustainable, professional cleaning service for all types of garments. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 799,906 times.
There are lots of ways to iron a shirt, but using the right technique can give you a crisper, crease-free finish. Most people save ironing just for their dress shirts, but you can also iron t-shirts as well. This wikiHow will give you tips on how to iron both types. It will also show you how to prepare you shirt for ironing to get the most out of your ironing.
This article is partially based on an interview with Sergey Paramonov, Laundry Expert.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 3:
Preparing Your Shirt
Download Article
1 Start with a freshly laundered shirt. When your shirt comes out of dryer, shake it out, smooth it with your hands and hang it on a shirt hanger.[1]X Expert Source Shaelynn HaningProfessional Tailor & Business OwnerExpert Interview Button the top button.
2 Fill your iron. Fill the iron with filtered tap water, or tap water mixed with distilled water at a 50/50 ratio.[2]XResearch source Tap water contains small amounts of minerals which build up in your iron over time. This leads to clogging. If you notice that your iron occasionally spits too much water out, it is because it is clogged.
Distilled water, on the other hand, can cause your iron to corrode more quickly due to the way water molecules combine with carbon dioxide in the surrounding environment.
Check your manufacturer's suggestion. Some irons are safe to use with unfiltered tap water, while others are safe to use with distilled water. When in doubt, a 50/50 blend or filtered tap water would be your safest bets.
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3 Allow your iron to reach the proper temperature. A shirt that is wrinkle-free takes a cooler setting than the hot setting for cotton. Be careful not to burn the shirt. See manufacturer's settings.[3]XResearch source
4 Have a place to hang items. If you are ironing more than one item, you will want to either fold those items as you complete them or hang them. This will prevent them from wrinkling again while you finish the other items.
5 Spray on some starch. Lightly spray the hanging shirt with sizing or spray starch (optional) then remove the shirt from hanger. Unbutton the top button.[4]XResearch source
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 3:
Ironing a Dress Shirt
Download Article
1 Lay the collar out flat on the ironing board and press. Iron from the points of the collar inward to back of neck. Do the underside of the collar as well.
2 Press the yoke and shoulders. Position your ironing board inside the shirt and into the arm. If your ironing board does not have a small board to insert into the sleeves, then put the sleeve on top of the ironing board, both sides together flat, and iron. Turn the shirt to iron the backside. Reposition for the opposite shoulder. Then turn the shirt, and do the rear side of the yoke and shoulders[5]XResearch source
3 For a long-sleeved shirt, press the cuffs next, similar to the collar instructions. Turn the shirt to press the other side.[6]XResearch source
4 Lay one sleeve out flat on the ironing board. Align the sleeve following the bottom seam as guide. Press carefully, moving both layers of fabric flat as the iron glides across front surface of sleeve. Repeat for the other sleeve. Turn the shirt to do the other side of sleeve. Ensure that you pull the iron across the fabric in one direction only, away from where you are holding it down so that the creases are mildly stretched out of the fabric.[7]XResearch source
5 Position the body of the shirt on the square end of your ironing board, buttonhole panel first. Press from the bottom tail progressing upward to the collar. Do not allow puckers or folds to press into fabric. Turn the shirt to iron the inside of the body of shirt also.[8]XResearch source
6 Move the shirt position to the next body panel, half of the back. Press from the tail progressing upward to the collar.[9]XResearch source
7 Move the shirt position to next body panel, the other half of the back. Press as before.[10]XResearch source
8 Move shirt position to the last body panel, other half of the front, the button panel. Press as before.[11]XResearch source
9 Return pressed shirt to hanger, Button top button and third button.
Advertisement Method 3 Method 3 of 3:
Ironing a Tee Shirt
Download Article
1 Place the shirt on the ironing board. Fit the shirt into the ironing board like you were putting it on a person. The fabric should lie flat but not be too stretched.[12]XResearch source
2 Smooth our wrinkles. Smooth out major wrinkles with your hand and make sure everything is as flat as possible.[13]XResearch source
3 Iron the shirt correctly. The main trick with ironing a tee-shirt, as will any knit fabric, is that you should not move the iron in the normal circular or arced motion. Instead, press the iron to one spot at a time and do not move it around when it is touching the fabric (as much as is possible).
Knit fabrics stretch easily if you push and pull the fabric by moving the iron while it is hot.
4 Rotate the shirt and continue until the whole shirt is done.[14]XResearch source
5 Lay the shirt flat. Lay the shirt as flat as possible until it cools, making sure that all wrinkles are smoothed out.[15]XResearch source
6 Fold the shirt. Fold the shirt or hang it to prevent wrinkles from forming before you wear it.[16]X Expert Source Shaelynn HaningProfessional Tailor & Business OwnerExpert Interview
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Expert Q&A
Search Add New Question Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement
Video
Tips
You can make ironing a buttoned shirt easier by flipping it inside out and ironing behind the buttons. Thanks Helpful 12 Not Helpful 3
To find out if the iron is hot, put your fingers in water, and flick the water on the iron. If it sizzles, you know the iron is ready and hot. Thanks Helpful 11 Not Helpful 5
Keep washed and dried shirts on hangers and not in a crumpled heap in the ironing pile. Thanks Helpful 6 Not Helpful 2
Show More Tips Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement
Warnings
Air freshener is not a substitute for spray sizing. Thanks Helpful 34 Not Helpful 13
Remember to unplug your iron when finished, stand it on the top of the stove to cool off, and store out of reach of children. Thanks Helpful 35 Not Helpful 14
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Things You'll Need
Shirt
Hanger
Iron
Ironing board
Distilled water
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References
↑ Shaelynn Haning. Professional Tailor & Business Owner. Expert Interview
↑ Shaelynn Haning. Professional Tailor & Business Owner. Expert Interview
About This Article
Co-authored by: Sergey Paramonov Laundry Expert This article was co-authored by Sergey Paramonov. Sergey Paramonov is a Laundry Expert and the Co-Founder of FreshRobe laundry and dry-cleaning delivery service based in San Francisco, California. Sergey has over 10 years of experience in the industry and specializes in laundry, dry cleaning services, and delivery services. His facilities use energy and water-efficient technology to prioritize a sustainable, professional cleaning service for all types of garments. This article has been viewed 799,906 times. 3 votes - 100% Co-authors: 27Updated: June 26, 2025 Views: 799,906 Categories: Shirts and TopsArticle SummaryX
If you need to iron a dress shirt, lay the collar flat on the ironing board and press a hot iron from the points of the collar inward to the back of the neck, then turn the shirt over and repeat for the other side. Next, lay your shirt so that the ironing board reaches into the arm of the shirt and iron the yoke and shoulders on each side. If the shirt is long-sleeved, press the cuffs next, then flatten the sleeves and press them. Finish by ironing the body of the shirt, starting with the panel with the buttons, then each panel in the back, and finally the panel with the button holes. If you want to learn how to iron a T-shirt, keep reading the article!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Reader Success Stories
Jane
Dec 23, 2017
"I didn't know about dampening the fabric until I read the article. Thanks for the great tips!"
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story
Did this article help you?
Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Sergey Paramonov Laundry Expert Co-authors: 27Updated: June 26, 2025 Views: 799,906100% of readers found this article helpful. 3 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote
Jane
Dec 23, 2017
"I didn't know about dampening the fabric until I read the article. Thanks for the great tips!"
Anonymous
Nov 27, 2017
"The order in which to press a shirt. No one teaches that anymore."
Anonymous
Oct 16, 2017
"How not to move the iron so much and some of the tips at the end."
Anonymous
Apr 5, 2018
"It is sequential. That is the best part."
Anonymous
Jun 3, 2017
"Not rotating the iron helped." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
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Co-authored by: Sergey Paramonov Laundry Expert This article was co-authored by Sergey Paramonov. Sergey Paramonov is a Laundry Expert and the Co-Founder of FreshRobe laundry and dry-cleaning delivery service based in San Francisco, California. Sergey has over 10 years of experience in the industry and specializes in laundry, dry cleaning services, and delivery services. His facilities use energy and water-efficient technology to prioritize a sustainable, professional cleaning service for all types of garments. This article has been viewed 799,906 times. 3 votes - 100% Co-authors: 27 Updated: June 26, 2025 Views: 799,906 Categories: Shirts and Tops Article SummaryX
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526 
1 Start with a freshly laundered shirt. When your shirt comes out of dryer, shake it out, smooth it with your hands and hang it on a shirt hanger.[1] Button the top button. 
2 Fill your iron. Fill the iron with filtered tap water, or tap water mixed with distilled water at a 50/50 ratio.[2] Tap water contains small amounts of minerals which build up in your iron over time. This leads to clogging. If you notice that your iron occasionally spits too much water out, it is because it is clogged. 
3 Allow your iron to reach the proper temperature. A shirt that is wrinkle-free takes a cooler setting than the hot setting for cotton. Be careful not to burn the shirt. See manufacturer's settings.[3] 
4 Have a place to hang items. If you are ironing more than one item, you will want to either fold those items as you complete them or hang them. This will prevent them from wrinkling again while you finish the other items. 
5 Spray on some starch. Lightly spray the hanging shirt with sizing or spray starch (optional) then remove the shirt from hanger. Unbutton the top button.[4] Advertisement 
1 Lay the collar out flat on the ironing board and press. Iron from the points of the collar inward to back of neck. Do the underside of the collar as well. 
2 Press the yoke and shoulders. Position your ironing board inside the shirt and into the arm. If your ironing board does not have a small board to insert into the sleeves, then put the sleeve on top of the ironing board, both sides together flat, and iron. Turn the shirt to iron the backside. Reposition for the opposite shoulder. Then turn the shirt, and do the rear side of the yoke and shoulders[5] 
3 For a long-sleeved shirt, press the cuffs next, similar to the collar instructions. Turn the shirt to press the other side.[6] 
4 Lay one sleeve out flat on the ironing board. Align the sleeve following the bottom seam as guide. Press carefully, moving both layers of fabric flat as the iron glides across front surface of sleeve. Repeat for the other sleeve. Turn the shirt to do the other side of sleeve. Ensure that you pull the iron across the fabric in one direction only, away from where you are holding it down so that the creases are mildly stretched out of the fabric.[7] 
5 Position the body of the shirt on the square end of your ironing board, buttonhole panel first. Press from the bottom tail progressing upward to the collar. Do not allow puckers or folds to press into fabric. Turn the shirt to iron the inside of the body of shirt also.[8] 
6 Move the shirt position to the next body panel, half of the back. Press from the tail progressing upward to the collar.[9] 
7 Move the shirt position to next body panel, the other half of the back. Press as before.[10] 
8 Move shirt position to the last body panel, other half of the front, the button panel. Press as before.[11] 
9 Return pressed shirt to hanger, Button top button and third button. Advertisement 
1 Place the shirt on the ironing board. Fit the shirt into the ironing board like you were putting it on a person. The fabric should lie flat but not be too stretched.[12] 
2 Smooth our wrinkles. Smooth out major wrinkles with your hand and make sure everything is as flat as possible.[13] 
3 Iron the shirt correctly. The main trick with ironing a tee-shirt, as will any knit fabric, is that you should not move the iron in the normal circular or arced motion. Instead, press the iron to one spot at a time and do not move it around when it is touching the fabric (as much as is possible). 
4 Rotate the shirt and continue until the whole shirt is done.[14] 
5 Lay the shirt flat. Lay the shirt as flat as possible until it cools, making sure that all wrinkles are smoothed out.[15] 
6 Fold the shirt. Fold the shirt or hang it to prevent wrinkles from forming before you wear it.[16] Advertisement