Do you take your stuff to the cleaners or iron it yourself?

[CarllraC]

I have some cotton shirts that I simply cannot get to look good. I have tried ironing them numerous times and they always end up looking wrinkly. I can iron T-shirts okay, but that is because they are so simple. I am wondering if you iron your own shirts, or if you simply take them to the cleaners. I visited the cleaners for the first time today and it is $2/shirt - seems like a good price and I could even wear the shirts 2 or 3 times between cleaning and pressing.

So does anyone have any suggestions or advice on how to iron a cotton shirt? I've never been good with arts and crafts.

 

[Quirk]

Iron them damp.

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

Get a good iron. I use the Rowenta Perfect. Pricey, but worth it.

 

[Renault78law]

i iron my shirts myself, suits and trousers go to the cleaners.

 

[Swann]

Originally Posted by Renault78law

i iron my shirts myself, suits and trousers go to the cleaners.

Same here.

 

[Holdfast]

Originally Posted by Renault78law

i iron my shirts myself, suits and trousers go to the cleaners.

Agreed.

I actually don't mind ironing shirts too much. And I think I get a nicer result than the cleaners would.

 

[zjpj83]

How would one press trousers one's self? Can you iron them with a cloth in between? Or is it really not possible?

 

[Thomas]

Originally Posted by Renault78law

i iron my shirts myself, suits and trousers go to the cleaners.

Same here. Hang until damp, then press patiently.

 

[Get Smart]

Originally Posted by Renault78law

i iron my shirts myself, suits and trousers go to the cleaners.

I'm aboard this A-Train

 

[kitonbrioni]

After going up having to iron my own clothes and then in the army doing my own ironing, I now take it all to the laundry. My efforts at ironing are no match of the laundry, but if you can beat laundry quality ironing then do it yourself.

 

[Vintage Gent]

I'm also an iron-my-own-shirts kind of guy. I iron while slightly damp, in this order:

collar
shoulders
sleeves/cuffs
left front
back
right front

I've also been known to iron my trousers from time to time, making sure to use a pressing cloth.

 

[CarllraC]

Let me make sure I understand.

1) Toss shirts in washer.
2) Hang until they are just damp
3) Iron them

Is there a good beginner's guide to ironing anywhere? I can't seem to get the shirt to spread out teh way I want it, and parts like the shoulders and arms are very difficult. I have no problem with the collar, front, or back.

Well, except that flap of cloth that goes down the front on the side with the buttonholes.. I don't know what it's called, but it's about 2mm wide and it always folds itself in half and looks horrible.

 

[designprofessor]

The fall Sunday ritual, iron and shoe shine, football on tv.

 

[MilanoStyle]

I iron my dress shirt as well. But it takes waaay too much time. I spend about 20min per shirt. How about you guys?

 

[Mentos]

Originally Posted by designprofessor

The fall Sunday ritual, iron and shoe shine, football on tv.

To each his own. Ironing and shoe shining are enternally linked with the Sopranos in this household. I'll do it during sports events, but it's just not the same...

This is as good a guide as any...
http://www.ehow.com/how_4180_iron-shirt.html