How To Iron Polyester
You must buy top quality fabric garments that ensure the durability and longevity of the clothes. While there are so many fabrics out in the market that need well-care, polyester requires barely any effort. It’s mainly used for clothes like trousers or jackets. So, if you want to keep your polyester-made clothing well-maintained, you need to learn how to wash and iron polyester properly.
Polyester is one of the most commonly used and widely popular fabric materials used for several purposes. From clothing, home furniture to industrial use, polyester is needed everywhere. However, this fabric material has a particular drawback. It is heat-sensitive, so it can melt if exposed to high temperatures while washing or ironing.
In this guide, we have incorporated all the steps, methods, and topics related to ironing polyester for your valuable insight. So, follow this guide to learn the safe and precise way to iron polyester fabrics for the best efficient results. So, let’s dive in.
How To Iron Polyester?
Contents
The accurate and efficient ironing of polyester material depends on the iron’s proper temperature, heat intensity, and steam setting. It also depends on how gently and cautiously you are ironing the cloth. The use of dampening fabric also plays a key role while ironing a polyester material.
You have to iron on the patches on polyester with the help of a few simple steps. You have to set the iron on heat, cover the entire patch area with parchment paper, ensure one layer of polyester below the patch, and finally iron the patch in slow circular motions.
The right iron setting for polyester is primarily mentioned in the care label of the material. One dot or two dots are the highly recommended iron setting for polyester materials. The one dot indicates a cool setting, and the two dots indicate the warm setting of the iron. Also, the right temperature for iron polyester is always below 300F or 148°C.
You can easily iron 100% polyester or a polyester pant with some precautionary steps and the right temperature setting. Moreover, the fixation of iron burn on washable and non-washable polyester is also easy with some essential items by hand.
In this guide, you will learn, understand and have an in-depth insight into everything related to ironing polyester. So, follow till the end.
How To Iron On Patches On Polyester?
Polyester is a heat-sensitive and flammable fabric material. So, you must iron the patches on your polyester material with a proper precautionary step-by-step guide. So, check the easy and simple steps to iron patches on polyester with caution and effectiveness.
Step 1: Setting The Iron-On Heat
First, you have to keep your iron on a low heat setting to begin the process. This will help you avoid damage to the polyester by high temperature. However, it’s essential to not use steam for the patches as it will make everything wet. Then, it will become harder to iron in a low heat temperature setting.
Step 2: Covering The Whole Patch With Parchment Paper
Now, you have to take a piece of parchment paper or thin cotton material. This paper or cotton material must be big enough to cover the entire patch to avoid moving it around. If you avoid or mistakenly ignore this step, your polyester will receive extra heat and eventually catch fire.
Step 3: Ensuring One Layer Of Polyester Below The Patch
You must ensure to have a single layer of polyester below the patch for ironing. This is because it’s a thin and delicate material that can easily make the glue flow on the other side. If you don’t follow this step, you will find the back and front of your piece of polyester clothing stuck together. Unfortunately, there is no option to undo after the sticking.
Step 4: Start Ironing The Patches
Now, you can start with the ironing process. You have to ensure slow circular motions while the glue melts down. Keep doing this for about 30-40 seconds. Then, try to lift some of the patch’s edges while holding the remaining part of it. If you find your polyester not stuck entirely with the patch, repeat this circular motion for about 30 seconds.
What Iron Setting For Polyester?
You will find symbols in your iron. So, always check for the care label to know in-depth about them. You will find:
- One Dot: It means that your iron is in a cool setting.
- Two Dots: This indicates that your iron is in a warm setting.
- Three Dots: This depicts that your iron is in a hot setting.
- Cross Iron Symbol: It clearly indicates not to iron.
Now, most of the polyester garments will work perfectly on two dots. However, there are some blends of polyester that need different temperatures for ironing. Also, some irons come with a ‘polyester’ setting to help alleviate the confusion of users. So, you can always choose to use it if you still have doubts.
The majority of irons used in typical households are not specialized with special functions and setting options. If you don’t have a precise temperature setting in degrees in your iron, you won’t have to worry. So, in such a case, you can rely on the pre-setting of iron for polyester. Also, you can work with a low or medium setting of the iron if there are no advanced setting options available.
For instance, check if your iron can function to steam vertically or not. If yes, you can use it as the setting to iron out wrinkles on your polyester-made curtains at home. This helps you to save time by steam ironing the curtain from bottom to top.
So, there are some more tricks that you can apply with your iron settings to get your task done efficiently.
Iron Temperature For Polyester
As stated above, polyester is a heat-sensitive fabric material that can easily melt in high temperatures. So, the ideal temperature to iron your polyester is 300F or 148°C, ideally lower.
The highly recommended and widely followed ironing temperature for your polyester material is cool to warm, around 300F or 148°C. So, you must keep your iron at the lowest settings for the best results. However, there are different measurement scales for different irons, but the ideal average setting to iron polyester is 1-2.
Moreover, you won’t find your iron to indicate the temperature in degrees as it shows dots to display the heat intensity. You must match the indicated number of dots on the iron with the ironing instructions stated in your clothes label.
It is best to start ironing your polyester with the temperature setting all the way down. You can test the heat intensity on a corner by keeping the reverse side of your polyester material first. If you notice the material is handling the heat well, go for the temperature check to remove wrinkles.
If needed, you can slowly increase the temperature of the iron. However, you must moisten the fabric for the steam to help soften the polyester material. You can use spray mist for moistening. Also, you can use a handheld steamer to avoid any chances of burn.
How To Iron Polyester Pants?
Here, you will find the easy and step-by-step guide to iron polyester pants in an understandable way. So, check them all.
Step 1: Checking The Label
First, you must check for the care label of your polyester garment. Several polyester pants come in blend form, so check for the recommended instructions on the care label for the right steam setting and temperature to iron.
Step 2: Lay The Pants On Ironing Board
Now, you have to lay your polyester pants on an ironing board. Ensure to keep the board inside with one leg of the pants at a time.
Step 3: Plugging In The Iron
You have to simply plug the iron in. Then, keep it in the correct setting, as recommended for polyester fabrics, and let it heat up for a while.
Step 4: Iron The Pocket Linings And Place Damp Towel
So, start ironing the polyester pants from their pocket lining. Next, you have to place a damp towel or cotton cloth over the pants. You must iron the pants over the towel instead of directly placing them on the polyester fabric.
Step 5: Iron The Waistband And Top of The Pant
Now, you have to iron the pants’ waistband followed by the top portion. However, you must remember to press and lift as you iron it rather than smoothing the iron over the fabric.
Step 6: Fold, Press And Lift To Iron
Now, you have to proceed to the leg of the pants. You must fold it at the crease to get a professional finish for your polyester pants. So, gently press and light the iron all the way down to the leg. Then, press and lift in the same way to the cuff of your polyester pants.
Step 7: Repeat On The Other Side
You have to repeat the same folding, pressing and lifting steps while ironing the waistband, top, legs and cuff of your pants on the other side.
Step 8: Eliminate The Wrinkles
If you find any new wrinkles on the seat and front of the pants, then eliminate them. You can alleviate them while ironing over the damp towel again. So, if you’re done, hang the pants for drying.
How To Iron 100 Polyester?
It can be tricky to iron 100% polyester, but it’s never a hassle with the right precautionary steps. With the proper knowledge, insight and understanding, ironing 100% polyester dresses, shirts, jackets, ties, suits, skirts, curtains, flags, tablecloths, wedding dresses, and prom dresses will be an easy task for you. You must have a handy steam iron.
So, here’s a few steps to guide you to iron 100% polyester efficiently.
Step 1: Using A Pressing Cloth
First, you have to use a pressing cloth for ironing. This pressing cloth is nothing but any piece of cotton cloth material like a pillowcase or a towel. This will help you create an additional protective layer between the piece of your 100% polyester clothing and the iron. Also, you can choose to iron directly on the polyester with a cool steam setting. However, if your 100% polyester clothing is new with no ironing done before, taking the risk may not be worth it.
Step 2: Keep Your Iron Temperature On Low
You must set the temperature setting of your iron to low heat intensity. You must do it, especially if you don’t have an ironing cloth for the polyester clothing.
You will find a dial on your iron that can be set to either ‘synthetic’ or ‘polyester’. Set it to polyester to ensure that the iron temperature stays below 300°F or 149°C. If the temperature goes anywhere above this scale of degree, your polyester will completely melt.
Also, you will be noticing a flash in your iron’s indicator light panel. This happens when your iron adjusts to the right temperature setting and stops flashing eventually when the iron is all set.
If you’re using an advanced iron model at your home, you will find the names of the fabric on display. This helps to ensure that you’re safe with the correct temperature measurements.
For instance, the Rowenta Steamforce iron has a large display panel for temperature on the side. The Black+Decker iron has the special feature to show the name of the fabric material in the small LCD on the handle.
Step 3: Test The Iron Temperature
First, you have to test the iron temperature and heat intensity on a small edgy part of the polyester fabric. You must do this before you start ironing to ensure it’s not too hot. So, this way, if you damage the small, inconspicuous part of the fabric material, it can be hidden well. Also, you will be able to know the heat intensity and make adjustments.
Step 4: Dampen The Fabric Before Ironing
Now, you have to spray a mist of water on the fabric item lightly. This dampening or wetting of the fabric material will help it absorb less heat and relax easier while ironing. Also, you can try the steam burst feature to help you alleviate wrinkles rapidly at low temperatures.
Step 5: Keep The Iron Moving Around
Now, in this step, you must avoid leaving the iron in one spot. You have to keep moving it around the polyester clothing gently. If you mistakenly leave it at one spot for too long, your polyester will either scorch or melt. If your polyester stays in contact with the hot soleplate even in a low heat setting, it can deform the polyester fibres.
Professional Tip: If you don’t want to risk any damage while ironing your important 100% polyester dress like a prom dress or wedding dress right before the special event, you can do something tricky. You can utilize the steam from your iron without even touching the dress.
You have to simply ensure maximum steam setting to run it along with the dress without letting the iron soleplate touch the polyester material. Also, if you have an iron with a steam burst feature, it will do the job.
How To Fix An Iron Burn On Polyester?
Iron burn on polyester leaves a scorch mark on the fabric. This mostly happens when the hot iron is left unattended on the polyester material. This iron burn must be removed and fixed immediately to avoid any discolouration. It is tougher to remove iron burn from polyester than natural fibres, but it’s still possible with some crucial tips and steps.
So, check how to fix an iron burn on polyester with a short, precise step-by-step guide.
For Washable Polyester
Step 1: You have to brush off the surface of the polyester material where the stain is. This will help you remove the burnt polyester fibres.
Step 2: Now, you have to face down the stained area of the polyester material. Remember to place it face down on a clean piece of cloth.
Step 3: You will need hydrogen peroxide in this step. Ensure to place a few drops of this chemical compound on and around the stained area of the polyester material.
Step 4: Now, you will need ammonia. You have to simply place a few drops of ammonia on the stained area after giving hydrogen peroxide.
Step 5: In this step, leave the polyester material to soak and absorb for several minutes to an hour. However, keep giving drops of ammonia and peroxide for the moisture retention of the polyester material.
Step 6: Now, you have to rinse the material in lukewarm water. You must avoid using hot water as it will make the stain worse.
Step 7: So, simply wash the polyester material. Rewash it with oxygen bleach if the stain stool remains. Finally, you will get your stain-free or iron-burn free polyester material.
For Non-Washable Polyester
Step 1: You have to take a piece of neat and clean cloth. Then, moisten it with white vinegar.
Step 2: Now, take this moist vinegar-soaked cloth and rub against the stained area lightly. However, you must start rubbing from the outside to inside the stain to avoid any chances of spreading the stain.
Step 3: Finally, wipe off the polyester fabric slowly with a clean cloth after dampening it with water. You must repeat these steps until you find the iron burn is wholly removed.
Wrapping Up
Hopefully, these tips and steps mentioned above will help you complete polyester ironing successfully.
Crafting has always been a deep-seated passion of mine, one that has flourished and evolved over the years.
I've dedicated considerable time to both studying and practicing in the realm of fashion and sewing, amassing a wealth of experience and skills.
It brings me great joy to share these insights and experiences with you all, hoping to inspire and foster a similar passion for the art of sewing.
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