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If you're faced with a mountain of crumpled clothes, don't despair. We've pulled together expert advice to make ironing quicker and easier.
We've got tips on ironing a shirt, what to do before you start ironing and the best settings for different fabrics. Plus, we reveal whether you should use ironing water – and what the symbols on care labels actually mean.
Whether you iron your entire wardrobe or just the odd garment, read on to discover how to make ironing less of a chore.
If you want to get ahead of the game, here are four things to do before you start ironing:
The moment you've been putting off has finally arrived; there's a Kilimanjaro-sized pile of laundry staring at you, and you don't know where to begin.
Here's what to do:
Careless ironing could ruin your favourite silk blouse or linen trousers. Here's how to iron different fabrics without damaging them:
Acetate is a synthetic fabric made from cellulose or wood pulp. It's often used for wedding dresses and occasion wear.
You should iron it inside-out on a low heat.
This man-made fibre is often used for jumpers, socks and hats.
You should cover acrylic with a press cloth before ironing. Use the lowest temperature setting and press down gently, rather than moving it back and forth.
Iron acrylic when it's completely dry, or you might stretch it. Don't use steam.
Cashmere comes from goat wool. Often used for jumpers and scarves, it's finer and softer than sheep wool.
You don't normally need to iron cashmere. Instead, smooth it out on a flat surface and leave it to air dry.
If it's still wrinkled after drying, iron on a low heat. Move in gentle strokes, never lingering on any one spot.
You should iron it inside-out on a low temperature setting. Use as much steam as necessary.
After ironing, brush down in the direction of the pile. This helps corduroy keep its distinctive texture.
Whether you're ironing bed sheets or clothes, it's best to iron cotton while it's still damp. Iron on a high heat and use lots of steam.
Some cotton blends need less heat, so check the care label for instructions.
Denim is a tough fabric, so use the highest steam and temperature settings.
Press firmly and use the steam burst function (if your iron has one) to eliminate stubborn creases.
Vintage clothes and accessories are back in vogue, but they need special care.
Iron embroidery and lace face down, with a press cloth on top. If you're not sure which side is the back, look for small tails of loose thread.
Use the lowest temperature setting and press down gently, being careful not to pull the stitching.
You don't always need to iron linen: some linen clothes are designed to look informal and crumpled.
But if you prefer to be crease-free, iron linen on a high heat setting while it's still damp.
Nylon and polyester are synthetic materials made from plastic.
Wait until they're nearly dry to iron them. Use the lowest temperature setting and a press cloth.
Polyester is sometimes mixed with cotton (poly-cotton). You should iron poly-cotton on a medium heat.
This synthetic material is made from cellulose or wood pulp.
Iron rayon on a low heat. Don't use steam, as moisture can stretch and damage it.
Allow rayon to cool before taking it off the ironing board.
Regular ironing helps preserve silk's distinctive sheen.
To protect it from your iron, sandwich silk between a large white sheet and a press cloth. The matte side should be facing up.
Use a low temperature setting. Move in gentle strokes, never lingering on any one spot.
Velvet is often made from acetate, rayon or nylon fibre. It shouldn't be ironed.
Instead, use the vertical steam function on your iron or a garment steamer to freshen it up while it's still on the hanger.
Hanging velvet clothes on a padded hanger helps keep them crease-free. Avoid folding velvet, if possible.
Viscose is a semi-synthetic fibre made from food pulp.
You should iron viscose on a medium heat while it's still damp, using a press cloth to prevent shine.
Move in quick strokes, never lingering on any one spot. Don't use steam.
You should iron wool and wool blends on a low heat.
Iron wool while it's still damp and use steam. Ironing wool when it's dry can damage it.
Ironing water ranges from a couple of pounds to more than £20 per bottle.
According to ironing water manufacturers, it prevents limescale build-up, makes stubborn creases easier to shift and leaves fabrics smelling extra fresh.
However, you can manage just fine without it. In fact, lots of ironing brands advise against using ironing water.
Tefal told us: 'Scented or treated waters can damage your iron or generator, as the chemicals leave residue which can damage seals and moving parts.
'Treated water can also have a higher boiling point, which can result in incomplete steam generation.’
Philips recommends using a combination of tap water and distilled water to prevent limescale build-up.
Before you put your iron back in the cleaning cupboard, here are three things you should do:
For more advice on caring for your iron, see our guide on how to clean an iron.