How to Iron Shirts, Pants and Skirts: Step-by-Step Guide

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Quick answer: iron a shirt while it is slightly damp, on the setting its care label allows (three dots, about 390°F (200°C), for cotton; lower for blends). Work in this order: collar, cuffs, sleeves, yoke, then the body (back, then each front panel). For pants, iron the pockets and waistband first, then lay each leg flat with the seams lined up and press in the crease. For skirts, iron the waistband and lining first, then rotate the skirt around the narrow end of the board, pressing pleats one at a time from the top down.

Ironing in the right order means you never re-wrinkle a section you have already finished. The methods below follow the order care guides and garment makers commonly recommend, and work with any steam iron and a stable ironing board.

Before you start

  • Check the care label. One dot is about 230°F (110°C) for synthetics, two dots about 300°F (150°C) for wool and some blends, three dots about 390°F (200°C) for cotton and linen. For blends, use the setting for the most delicate fiber. Our iron temperature guide has the full table.
  • Iron slightly damp. Cotton and linen release wrinkles most easily while still a little damp from the washer, or after a light mist from the iron’s spray.
  • Fill the iron and let it heat fully so it does not spit water.
  • Sort coolest to hottest (synthetics, silk, wool, cotton, linen) so you only ever turn the dial up.
  • Have hangers ready so finished items go straight onto them.

How to iron a dress shirt

  1. Collar. Pop the collar up and lay it flat. Iron the underside from the points toward the center, then turn it over and repeat. Work from the points inward to avoid pushing creases into the tips.
  2. Cuffs. Unbutton them and iron the inside first, then the outside, working around the buttons rather than over them. For French cuffs, iron flat, then fold and press lightly.
  3. Sleeves. Lay one sleeve flat with the seam along the bottom edge. Smooth it with your hand, then iron from the shoulder to the cuff. Turn it over and repeat. Skip the top crease if you prefer a crease-free sleeve; a sleeve board makes this easy.
  4. Yoke. Drape the shoulder area over the narrow end of the board and iron across one side, then the other.
  5. Back. Lay the back of the shirt flat across the board and iron from the yoke down to the hem, working around any box pleat.
  6. Front panels. Iron the button side, using the tip of the iron between the buttons (never over them). Then iron the buttonhole side.
  7. Hang it. Put the shirt on a hanger right away and fasten the top button so the collar holds its shape. Let it cool before wearing.

Short on time? See our quick fixes in how to get wrinkles out of a shirt.

Shirt fabric tips

  • 100% cotton: three dots with steam, slightly damp. Iron dark colors inside out to avoid shine.
  • Non-iron or wrinkle-resistant cotton: often a medium setting; check the label. A quick press usually does it.
  • Poly-cotton: one to two dots, low steam.
  • Linen: three dots or MAX, damp, plenty of steam, on the reverse for dark colors.
  • Silk and rayon blouses: low heat, inside out, dry or under a pressing cloth to avoid water spots.

How to iron pants

  1. Turn the pants inside out and iron the pockets, waistband and the area around the zipper or fly so the pocket linings do not leave outlines on the front.
  2. Turn them right side out. Slip the waistband over the narrow end of the board and iron around the top of the pants, rotating as you go.
  3. Line up the legs. Lay the pants lengthwise on the board and fold so the inner and outer leg seams sit on top of each other. The existing crease, if any, will now be at the front and back edges.
  4. Press one leg at a time. Fold the top leg back out of the way and iron the inside of the bottom leg, then fold the top leg down and iron it. Press with a lifting motion rather than sliding, to keep the crease sharp.
  5. Set the crease. For a sharp crease on wool or dress pants, use steam through a damp pressing cloth, then let each section cool before moving it.
  6. Turn and repeat for the other leg, then hang by the hems or folded over a hanger bar.

Fabric notes: cotton chinos and khakis take two to three dots with steam. Wool and wool-blend dress pants take two dots with steam under a pressing cloth to prevent shine. Jeans are cotton and iron best inside out on three dots. Polyester and stretch pants need one dot and little or no steam.

How to iron skirts

Straight or A-line skirts:

  1. Iron the lining first (inside out, low heat if it is polyester or acetate).
  2. Turn the skirt right side out and slip it over the narrow end of the board.
  3. Iron the waistband, then work down from the waist to the hem, rotating the skirt around the board so you never iron a wrinkle into a section you already finished.

Pleated skirts:

  1. Lay the skirt over the board and arrange a few pleats at a time along their original folds. Hold them in place with paper clips or pins at the hem if needed.
  2. Cover with a pressing cloth and press (lift and lower, do not slide) from the waist down.
  3. Remove clips before the final press so they do not leave marks, and let the pleats cool before moving on.

Delicate skirts (chiffon, silk, sequins, tulle) are often easier with a garment steamer or a handheld steamer, held a few inches from the fabric.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Too hot for the fabric: causes shine, scorching or melting. Start low and test on an inside seam. See how to get rid of shiny iron marks.
  • Ironing over buttons, zippers or prints: scratches the soleplate and can melt plastic. Go around them or iron from the reverse.
  • Ironing dirty clothes: heat can set stains permanently.
  • Folding or wearing items while warm: they wrinkle again as they cool.
  • Dragging a dirty soleplate: clean it regularly; see how to clean an iron.

Frequently asked questions

What order should you iron a shirt in?

Collar, cuffs, sleeves, yoke, back, then the two front panels. Finish by hanging the shirt with the top button fastened.

What temperature should I iron a cotton shirt at?

Three dots, about 390°F (200°C), with steam, while the shirt is slightly damp. Use a lower setting for poly-cotton blends.

How do I get a sharp crease in dress pants?

Line up the leg seams, cover with a damp pressing cloth and press with steam using a lift-and-lower motion, then let the fabric cool before moving it.

How do you iron a pleated skirt?

Arrange a few pleats at a time along their folds, hold them with clips if needed, and press from the waist down under a pressing cloth.

Should I iron clothes inside out?

For dark colors, prints, embellishments, linen and anything prone to shine, yes. Light-colored cotton shirts can be ironed on the right side.

Related guides

Sources: ISO 3758 / GINETEX care labelling temperature definitions; Ironing instructions in Rowenta, T-fal and Black+Decker iron manuals. How we research.