General

Quick answer: the dots on a care label and on your iron dial are the same scale. One dot means a maximum soleplate temperature of about 230°F (110°C) (synthetics such as polyester, nylon and acrylic, plus acetate and viscose). Two dots means about 300°F (150°C) (wool; silk sits on two dots on some irons and

Quick answer: set a dry iron (steam off) to the hottest setting the garment allows, usually the cotton setting of about 400 °F (204 °C) for cotton and denim. Pre-press the spot, place the patch adhesive side down, cover it with a thin pressing cloth and press firmly without sliding for about 30 to 45 seconds. Turn

Quick answer: most graduation gowns are thin polyester, so use gentle heat. The safest method is a handheld or upright garment steamer: hang the gown and steam from top to bottom without pressing the head onto the fabric. No steamer? Iron it inside out on the lowest synthetic setting, about 230 to 275 °F (110 to

Quick answer: the fastest reliable fix is a steam iron at the temperature on the care label: collar, cuffs, sleeves, then body, in about five minutes. Without an iron, use a garment steamer, hang the shirt in a steamy bathroom for 15 minutes, or tumble it in the dryer with a damp towel for 10

Quick answer: clean an iron in two parts. Inside: fill the tank, heat to maximum, unplug and hold the iron flat over a sink, then press and hold the self-clean button so hot water flushes mineral scale out of the soleplate (or rinse the removable scale collector if your iron has one). Outside: once it

Quick answer: shine is usually flattened fibers, not a stain. Hold a steam iron or garment steamer just above the shiny area (without touching it) so steam lifts the fibers, then brush gently against the grain with a soft clothes brush. For stubborn marks, dampen a cotton cloth in a solution of one part white

Quick answer: a regular steam iron is the right choice for most US homes: it is compact, quick to set up and handles a weekly load of shirts and pants well. A steam station (also called a steam generator or steam generator iron) boils water in a separate base and pipes pressurized steam to a

Quick answer: unplug the iron and let it cool. Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of water, rub the paste gently over the soleplate with a soft cloth (avoiding the steam holes), then wipe it off with a damp cloth and clear the holes with a cotton swab. For soft, melted residue

Some decades ago, steam irons were not available for purchase. Dry irons were used by everyone in pressing their clothes. However, as technology evolved, steam irons started to grow in popularity due to how effective they were in removing wrinkles from clothes when compared to dry irons. But the latter still has a place in

Quick answer: measure your board’s length and widest point first; most full-size US boards are about 54 x 15 inches, while wide boards run 18 to 19 inches or more. Choose a cover in that size with thick padding (a felt or foam layer of roughly 1/4 inch or more), a 100% cotton top for