When you know how to iron a polo shirt, you will be able to get ready for an impressive, smart casual look with ease. Spray some starch on the collar, lightly dampen the fabric, and then smooth out the collar before working your way down the shirt. The shoulders and the placket are first, followed by the body of the polo shirt as you work your way down to the hem. Hang it while it cools, and you’re ready to dress to impress.
Get the preparation right with a clean iron and board
You’ll need to make sure the soleplate of your iron is nice and clean so that you don’t end up transferring debris onto the fabric. A quick wipe when it is unplugged and cold is all it takes. Fill up the iron with distilled water to prevent leaving marks on the shirt, and you’ll be ready for the next step. All that’s left is to get out your ironing board, or a stable surface like a sideboard, if that’s more convenient. You’re now ready to take a closer look at the shirt.
Finding the correct temperature to iron your polo shirt
Always refer to the label before you start, even if you have a great memory and plenty of experience. A quick check will make sure that you get the right amount of heat for the fabric, especially if it turns out you have bought a new variety of blended fabric without realising.
A good rule of thumb is that a 100% cotton polo shirt should be ironed on a high heat. Because the fibres can absorb high levels of heat without being damaged, you will be able to remove its characteristically stubborn wrinkles this way. If the item is made from a blended or synthetic fabric, it will typically require a lower heat setting. Check the label before ironing to be sure.
To learn more, you can also refer to the textile care label standard ISO3758:2023.
Practice how to iron a polo shirt on an old shirt first
Using an old shirt or a piece of cloth to practice your ironing will make sure you don’t make mistakes on your expensive new shirt. It’s a great way to practice the smooth, steady motion that will ensure the iron doesn’t overheat and mark a particular part of the shirt. Taking a little extra time like this will give you a lot more confidence and a lot less stress if you are ironing a polo shirt for the first time.
Learn how to iron a polo shirt with these simple steps
Start with the collar, working from the centre out to the corners, first with the collar down and then with it popped up, and you won’t risk it curling up at the edges. It’s a good idea to flip the shirt inside out before doing the rest, especially when you want to protect the buttons and any delicate detailing. Work the iron smoothly down the sleeves to the cuffs before turning your attention to the placket. Once that’s done, it’s time to work from the top down to the hem, before repeating the process on the other side.
Let’s look at in a little more detail, as this is a key step:
- Put the collar down and iron from the centre out to the tips
- Flip the shirt over and iron the collar again to get an even effect
- Pop the collar up and iron it again to make sure nothing is missed
Using your iron’s pointed end for the collar corners will stop them from curling up and changing their shape. Many people also apply a light starch spray before ironing.
To get rid of the wrinkles on the rest of your polo shirt, you need to follow these simple steps and take your time:
- Turn it inside out to protect the buttons and so that you avoid white marks from any starch applied
- Do the sleeves first and work smoothly down towards the cuffs with the shirt face down
- Make sure not to go over the edge of the sleeves to avoid creases that will alter the shape of the fit
- Then it’s the placket, so that you smooth out all of the fabric around the buttons while protecting them from direct contact
- Next up, work down to the hem in a smooth motion, and then flip the shirt onto its back and repeat the process
- Even with the shirt inside out, you may wish to avoid silk-screen logos so that they don’t peel off
Your last job is to turn it right-side out and put it on the hanger you put to one side earlier on. Do it right away, and you won’t undo your hard work by re-wrinkling the fabric.
Why you need distilled water when ironing polo shirts
Regular tap water is full of minerals that get heated up by an iron and leave white marks and stains on fabric. Fill your water spray bottle with distilled water instead and you sidestep this issue entirely — while also extending the lifetime of your iron, so you can look your best without the stress.
Now that you know how to iron a polo shirt, you’re ready to dress to impress without having to worry about working your way around the buttons or turning up with unwanted shoulder creases.
FAQs
Are polo shirts hard to iron?
If your polo shirt is made from a thick pique knit fabric, then it will be more prone to visible wrinkling due to the raised texture of its knit structure. This also means re-wrinkling will be more noticeable, so always use a hanger immediately after ironing.
Can you iron on top of the polo shirt buttons?
Buttons will melt or crack when they are touched by a hot iron. Using the pointed end of the iron and taking a little extra time will make sure this doesn’t happen, or even better, turn the shirt inside out.
What’s the best temperature to iron a polo shirt?
Check the label to make sure that you’re using the right temperature for the specific type of fabric. Too high a temperature will damage the fibres and ruin your shirt.
Do you hang polo shirts after ironing?
Hanging stops the polo shirt from re-wrinkling when you put it down. Having a spare hanger will make sure you don’t undo all of your hard work.
Can you burn polo shirts by ironing?
Too much heat can damage any type of fabric, which is why it’s really important to always check the label before you start.
