Everybody prefers to wear wool fabrics. This delicate fabric can make you warm in winter and cool in summer. Isn’t it amazing?
However, you should treat this fabric appropriately. Do you know how to iron wool? Ironing wool isn’t an easy thing to do.
Come with me and observe the whole process!
Can You Iron Wool?
The answer is yes, you can. However, you should follow some precise rules. Pick a pressing cloth and a powerful steam iron.
Now, keep iron at a lower temperature setting and avoid moving it back and forth over fabric. Rather, use it to press on the fabric to remove wrinkles. Cover the whole surface gradually. Be gentle through the whole process.
Wool is more prone to shine after ironing. If you’re a newbie, take professional laundry for your wool garments. Otherwise, you may damage clothes.
Temperature To Iron Wool
Most modern day irons come with a wool setting. That allows you to iron wool perfectly. However, if your iron doesn’t have that setting, keep the temperature level at 300F/148C.
Wool clothes can’t withstand higher temperature. Therefore, try to use the least possible setting of your iron.
Turn on the steam function of your steam iron. If you don’t have a steam iron, use a spray bottle to faster the process.
What You’ll Need
Before ironing wool, ensure that you have all necessary equipment. Take a look at the following list-
· Pressing cloth
· Spray bottle
· Vinegar
· Hydrogen peroxide
· Emery board
How To Iron Wool
Check clothes tag
Never try to iron wool without reading the manufacturer’s instructions. If you observe a cross mark on the symbol of iron in the tag, never iron it. Instead, steam your garment to get better result.
Therefore, checking clothes tag for further instruction is the best practice. In most cases, tag suggests ironing wool at low to medium heat.
Choose a steam iron
Steam irons are highly efficient in removing bad spots or wrinkles. It has a powerful steam and steam vents that throw steam towards garments.
Before ironing, fill the water reservoir with water and turn on the steam function.
Slightly damp clothes
It’s always easier to iron wet clothes rather than dry clothes. So, make sure that the wool is slightly damp. If you use a steam iron, utilize the spray mist function. It’s lot easier than any other methods.
However, you can try spray bottles to dampen fabric too.
Take pressing cloth
Pressing cloth is a piece of cloth that protects garments from the extreme heat of soleplate.
As wool is a delicate fabric, use a pressing cloth to save it from high temperature. Search for a 100% cotton shirt, silk organza, muslin in your kitchen and use that.
Set right temperature and setting
Setting the right temperature of iron is one of the most crucial parts. Nowadays, many renowned companies are manufacturing user friendly irons for their users.
These irons may have wool setting. Always select that setting before ironing. However, if your iron doesn’t have such feature, use cool to warm setting. Never use the extreme hot temperature.
For example, if the temperature knob of your iron has 3 dots, use either 1 or 2.
Turn garments inside out
Wool fabrics are more prone to shiny marks. Therefore, turn your garments inside out to save the smoother surface.
Even, if you use pressing cloth, turn garments inside out. Otherwise, longevity of your dresses may be compromised. In worst case, your dress may be damaged.
Use your hand to smooth
First, lay your garments flat on the ironing board. Such position will allow you ironing easily. Moreover, it will minimize the ironing time. Now, use hands to remove wrinkles from clothes.
Using hands may reduce the ironing time and present you a gently polished garment.
Move iron in straight line
Place your iron at one end of your cloth and move it to the opposite end. Keep the movement gentle. Repeat the process to cover the whole cloth.
Don’t use iron in circular motion as it will develop more wrinkles. Moreover, make sure that you don’t leave iron in one particular spot for more than ten seconds.
For faster result, iron only one side of a fabric. Sometimes, press on cloth to polish both sides and remove creases quickly.
Air dry clothes
After ironing, don’t fold clothes and store it in the closet. Let them cool down for at least five minutes.
Then, air dry to give them a crisp look.
Remove Scorch Mark From Wool
During ironing, scorch mark may develop on your wool garments. However, there are four ways to solve this problem.
Use emery board
If you observe any scorch area, use emery board to polish that area. Emery board works effectively in removing bad spot.
However, rub the area gently. If not, new spot may arise.
Use vinegar
If you forget to use pressing cloth, shiny area may grow. Hence,
- Soak a cloth with white distilled vinegar.
- Now, sponge white vinegar on that surface.
- After sponging, rinse that area with water. Continue the process until the bad spot is gone.
Hydrogen peroxide solution
- Take one teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide and soak a white cloth into it.
- Now, use this white cloth as a pressing cloth and keep it on the spot. Gently move iron onto it. Most importantly, keep it at a low heat.
- Repeat the process to remove the scorched area.
Use detergent
- Pick a liquid detergent that isn’t harmful for clothes. There are many detergents in the market made from plant-based material. These detergents are safe to use on wool.
- Now, pour one teaspoon of detergent to that shiny mark.
- Hand-wash the cloth or use the gentle cycle of washing machine.
- After washing, air dry the garment.
Storing Wool Clothes
If you can’t store wool properly, it may be damaged for good. Therefore, choose a suitable spot to store them. Pick a closet that ensures proper air circulation.
For better result, use cotton bags to cover them and store them for longer period.
Steaming Wool
Steaming wool is the best way to remove wrinkles. Iron may damage wool if the soleplate becomes too hot. Therefore, I recommend you to use steam function of your iron.
There is another way to steam wool. This method is easy and comparatively cheaper. However, it’s a time consuming process.
First, hang your clothes on a hanger and place it in your wet bathroom near the steam area. Now, turn on the hot shower. Gradually, it’ll create steam and damp fabric.
Then, air dry them to keep fresh. This is the safest method and requires around 30 minutes to complete.
Do And Don’ts
- Use a sturdy ironing board.
- Use a powerful steam iron.
- Set the wool setting of your iron and turn on steam function.
- Never operate iron at extreme hot temperature.
- Using a pressing cloth is must to save fabric from damage.
- Don’t leave iron on a particular spot for more than ten seconds.
- After ironing, don’t store them straight away. Instead, keep them on ironing board to cool down.
- Use white vinegar or emery board to remove bad spots.
- Don’t store wool in closet with other clothes for a longer time.
- Use cotton bag to protect wool from other fabrics.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get wrinkles out of wool?
Wool fabric is less prone to wrinkling. There are some ways to remove wrinkles perfectly from wool.
- Hang garments on a hanger for at least 24 hours. Keeping in such position allows wool to soften and let wrinkles to disappear.
- Now, keep clothes in a wet bathroom near the steam area. Turn on the hot steam for 10 to 20 minutes. Steam will dampen clothes a bit. Now, this dress is easy to polish.
- Grab a steam iron and keep it at a lower temperature. Turn on the wool setting and move it gently over the fabric. Never put iron on a particular spot for a longer period. Moreover, use a pressing cloth to protect your garments from damage.
What fabrics should not be steamed?
Steam works great on most of the fabrics. First of all, garment steamer doesn’t use a hot soleplate to de-wrinkle clothes. That’s why it’s an effective tool that never hurts fabrics. You can use steam on-
- Cotton
- Wool
- Silk
- Polyester
Never use steam on leather, suede, velvet or plastic. Because, these fabrics can’t endure moisture.
If you’re unsure about whether your clothes can endure steam or not, check clothes tag for the exact information.
First, apply steam on a small corner of the fabric to see its reaction. If it seems okay, continue the process.
Does wool shrink when washed?
Wool may shrink if you don’t wash them perfectly. Basically, wool can’t endure-
- Hot temperature
- Agitation
- Soap
Before washing wool, always check the clothes tag for more information. If the tag says hand wash only, stick with that. Don’t use washing machine or clothes dryer. Otherwise, your clothes may be ruined.
Can you iron patches on wool?
Yeah, patches can be ironed on wool, denim, cotton, velour. Check the steps below-
- First, plugin the iron and set the highest possible temperature to affix the patch.
- Now, check the position of patch. If you can’t set the position correctly, your dress will be worthless. So, check it again.
- Take a pressing cloth and position it on the patch. Hold your iron on the pressing cloth and press for 30 to 45 seconds.
- Now, turn the garment inside out and the iron the opposite site of patch.
Can you iron 100 wool?
Yeah, you can. However, keep your iron at the lowest possible setting as wool is more prone to shrink. For more protection, use a pressing cloth.
You can buy one from online or store. Otherwise, utilize old cotton shirt, pillowcase cover, silk organza, muslin, mesh cloth to do so.
Use iron carefully on your cloth. Keep the iron on steam setting and gently polish the fabric.
Bottom Line
Wool fabrics are famous for their long life span. Over time, they tend to retain their shape, provided that you take good care of it.
Therefore, maintain some strict rules while washing or ironing this delicate item. Moreover, store them carefully in your drawer.
How do you iron your wool garments? Leave it in the comment section!
Have a nice day!
