How to Iron Pants, Jackets, Shirts, and Skirts Like a Pro

Ironing Pants. Start by removing any dirt and dust from the pants. Press the creases at the knees. Place a damp cloth over the area you want to iron and set a hot iron on top—do not move it. Repeat several times, keeping the cloth damp. Then fold the pants neatly along the seam so the outer and inner seams align, and press them firmly through the damp cloth.
If the crease doesn’t hold, turn the pants inside out and lightly coat the inner side of the crease with a medium-thick potato-starch paste. To make the paste, mix 3 tablespoons of potato flour into 1 cup of cold water, then pour that mixture into about 2 cups of boiling water. Apply sparingly so the paste doesn’t soak through. Iron the pants from the front through the cloth once the starch has slightly dried.
After ironing, hang the pants on clip hangers by the cuffs. Let them hang for a few hours before wearing.
Ironing Jackets and Coats. Smooth the lapels and the jacket fabric before you start. Iron the inside of the jacket or coat without using a damp cloth. Start by ironing all the pockets, then tuck them back in. Iron the cuffs through a damp cloth to avoid making the lining shiny. Once the sleeve is evenly dampened, iron it until dry, taking care not to create creases at the elbow seam. Iron the shoulders from the inside with a damp cloth, drying them with the iron. Iron the lapels through a damp cloth. Iron the back of the jacket until dry without using a fabric pad.
Finally, press the inside of the collar and lapels. To do this, turn the sleeves inside out, place a damp cloth on the inside of the lapel, and press firmly until dry, holding the iron briefly in place. Iron the inside of the collar the same way.
Iron the outer parts of the garment through a thin, damp cloth. Start with the sleeves: for smooth fabrics, iron from the bottom toward the armhole; for napped fabrics (pile), iron from top to bottom, following the nap. Pay special attention to the front and elbow seams. After the sleeves, move on to the shoulders, back, and front panels. Finish with the lapels and collar, smoothing wrinkles and straightening the corners.
Use a special cushion when ironing the shoulders. After finishing, hang the garment on a hanger for a few hours before wearing.
Ironing Men’s Shirts. Start with the collar: moisten the crease, fold the collar, and iron the side that will touch the neck. Iron the sleeves first from the inside, then from the outside, moving from the shoulder to the cuffs. Iron the cuffs flat first without folding, then moisten the crease, fold the cuff, and iron from the outside. Iron the back of the shirt from both the inside and the outside, creating a center crease. Turn the shirt front-side up and begin ironing the front: start at the bottom, then smooth the placket so the edges lie flat and the buttonholes align with the buttons. After ironing, button the shirt and give the front a light press again.
Ironing Skirts. Begin by ironing the top of the skirt from the inside, including any darts and gathers at the waistband. Then iron the bottom, carefully pressing the hem and side seams. Pin pleats at the waist, pull them straight, and pin them again at the hem. Iron the pinned pleats, then press them with the hot iron through a damp cloth. Finally, turn the skirt right-side out and iron it through a damp cloth.