If you find ironing too stressful, or aren’t sure if you’re doing it right, we’re here to help! We’ve got 9 tips to help you make peace with your iron, and make ironing your clothes a piece of cake!

1. Position Your Ironing Board

Proper ergonomic alignment is a laundry tip that will speed up the ironing process and you’ll avoid the dreaded backache. Adjust your ironing board until it’s at hip level. Your elbow should be bent at a 90-degree angle and your shoulder should be able to move easily.

2. Clean Your Iron

This cleaning hack will make your clothes sparkle! Before turning on your iron, check for any built-up residue. Remove any residue before you start ironing or it can transfer to your clothing.

3. Read Clothing Labels

Read your clothing care labels and match your iron’s temperatures to them. If in doubt, set your iron to a low temperature.

4. Clean Clothes Only!

Only iron clean clothes, never dirty clothes! The iron’s heat will set stains and also intensify odors on the fabric.

5. Keep it Misty

Keep a spray bottle filled with water handy. If you find yourself battling stubborn creases, spritz the crease with water and it should flatten nicely.

6. Go With the Grain

Iron your clothes with the grain, never against it. Ironing across thread diagonals will cause the fabric to stretch and buckle.

7. Get a Press Cloth

A press cloth is something everyone needs when ironing. This piece of tightly woven cotton cloth is used as a barrier between the iron and your clothes. It will guard against shine on your clothes, and help protect delicate clothing from the heat of the iron.

8. Keep the Iron Moving

Never hold the iron in one place for too long, you could burn your clothes! Keep the pressure light and don’t press too hard.

9. Hang Up Your Clothes

When you’re finished ironing your clothes, hang them up right away. In the first few hours since you’ve ironed your clothes are extra sensitive to wrinkles. Allow your clothes to cool and dry completely before placing them back into your closet or drawer.

Photos: The Organised Housewife, Peglanje Servis, Huffington Post, Metro News, Ullapool Laundry.