How to Iron Linen, Silk, Satin & Polyester: Fabric-by-Fabric Guide

It’s important to know how to iron linen, iron silk, and other delicate fabrics such as satin and polyester because they each have their own requirements. Different fabrics mean different heat capacities and different fabric strengths, sizes, and shapes, meaning that there can be a great deal of variation in the amount of heat and pressure needed. For example, linen needs more heat and moisture than the likes of silk and satin, which need less heat and very delicate handling.

Why do you need to know specifically how to iron linen?

It’s not just linen that you specifically need to iron, but every type of fabric. Fabrics vary greatly in terms of the types of threads, the material of the fibres, and their thicknesses and ability to deal with heat and pressure. 

Each garment will have a label sewn into the inside that details the ironing and washing instructions so that you can smooth it out the right way. We have also compiled this quick and easy guide so that you can look up the step-by-step approach for four of the main fabrics that you’re likely to come across when working through your wardrobe.

How to iron linen in 4 simple steps

Linen should be ironed at 230°C when using a conventional iron because it responds best to high heat: 

• Make sure the fabric is lightly damp by misting it to relax the fibres before ironing
• Flip the item inside out so that you can’t unwittingly leave shiny areas on the front side or around the seams
• Select the steam setting on your iron and press down with a firm amount of pressure, taking care to ensure that the iron is continually moving 
• Hang the item on a non-slip hanger without delay to prevent troublesome rewrinkling — linen is very prone to wrinkling unless hung

How to iron satin in 5 simple steps

The key step in learning how to iron a satin dress is to know that the temperature of your iron has to be very low, generally no more than 110°C. However, satin is a weave that can contain a variety of proportions of different fibres, meaning that the exact temperature will vary. For example, polyester-satin can handle a little more heat and can be ironed up to approximately 150°C. To be safe, you should always double-check the label before following these simple steps: 

• Flip your item inside out and mist it to make sure it is lightly damp 
• Check that the low-heat setting on your iron matches the temperature for the specific weave on your item’s label
• Use a pressing cloth to contain the heat between the iron and the fabric to protect it 
• Apply very light pressure as you work in smooth, even strokes across the surface of the fabric
• Hang the item on a non-slip hanger without delay

How to iron silk in 5 simple steps

Just because you know how to iron linen doesn’t mean that you automatically know how to smooth the wrinkles and creases out of an expensive silk garment. For example, did you know that if you spray water directly onto silk, you will leave water spots that ruin your garment? Here’s a simple 5-step process to make sure you look after one of your most delicate fabrics: 

• Always turn silk items inside out and never spray them with a misting bottle
• Set your iron to its lowest possible setting (typically 110 °C) to protect the silk
• Make sure to turn off the steam setting on your iron to prevent water marks
• Always use a dry pressing cloth — a cotton handkerchief works well — and press down gently through it rather than attempting to drag it across the surface
• Hang the item on a non-slip hanger without delay

How to iron polyester in 4 simple steps

Polyester can melt if the ironing temperature exceeds 160°C. Setting the iron to 132°C to 149°C, depending on the specifics in the manufacturer’s manual, is very important. You’re then ready to:

• Flip the item inside out and lightly dampen it with a mist spray 
• Turn off the steam setting on your iron to prevent damage caused by spotting 
• Glide across the fabric in a smooth motion, making sure not to leave the iron to rest
• Hang the item on a non-slip hanger without delay

Finding the right temperature when you don’t know the fabric

Knowing how to iron a shirt without damaging it is only possible if you check the label before you heat up your iron. Remember: it takes much longer for an iron that has initially been set too high to cool down than it does to turn the garment inside out and double-check the label. 

Even if you are confident that you know the right temperature for a particular item, a quick check can be performed in a matter of seconds. 

Taking care of delicate elements like transfers and embroidery

Knowing how to look after transfers, embroidered elements, and prints can be difficult. If in doubt, we always recommend avoiding applying any heat directly to such areas with a conventional iron. They are often small, as in the case of badges on football shirts, for example, and may be less prone to wrinkling than the main fabric of the garment. 

If you want to make sure that you can soothe and relax all of the fibres that constitute your garment, including those in the most delicate areas, there is an alternative to a conventional iron. Using an automatic ironing machine that directs water vapour at every square inch will smooth out wrinkles at a much lower heat, protecting these delicate areas in the process. 

If you would like to learn more, then GINETEX, the International Association for Textile Care Labelling, can provide information on fabric care symbols. There is also the garment care label standard (ISO 3758) that can provide additional data. 

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