HOW TO IRON A SHIRT | BACK-TO-BASICS SKILLS

In this video your erstwhile host demonstrates the art of ironing a shirt.

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Equipment used in this filming of this video (Amazon links):

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[barrysmith]

When I turned 16 my fathers rules were that men were to be responsible for their own subsistence. It was mandatory that I get a job and contribute to my mothers contribution to me for the last 16 years. That included personal management in all forms and that Included ironing all of my own clothes. This policy has stood me well in life. I grew to be very successful and have retired and now mentor young professionals to be successful. Thank you Dad.

[georgelush]

That was the most simple straightforward video I’ve ever watched on how to iron a shirt. Ironing is one of my least favorite chores. This technique streamlines the process. One, two, three and as you British would say, “Bob’s your uncle!”

[cameronlewington]

Hello ‘skipper’, I’ve not commented for a while but, that’s exactly how my father(ex raf) taught me at 12 years of age to iron a shirt. It was a good life lesson. On a rather rushed weekend induction to the constabulary, I was the only one of thirty who turned up with an ironed shirt and trousers pressed. Felt so proud on that occasion and proud of my dad! Nice tutorial Sir….Cam

[FMSims]

ProTip: When in Hotels, iron one of the hotel towels (with Steam!) FIRST before putting the iron on your shirt/clothes. IF there is gunk or rust in the iron it will ruin their towel, not ruin your shirt. I started this technique after an iron from a nice hotel had rust in it and as soon as the steam kicked in it ruined my only dress shirt for the trip. Lesson learned! Wanted to pay it forward. Happy Travels!

[writereducator]

The laundry I have used for years went up to $4.20 per shirt and as a teacher I need to wear a dress shirt 180 times each year. Last year, I just started washing and drying them myself and then hanging them up. This year I have begun ironing them. I save about $750 each year and ironing shirts is almost better than watching YouTube videos!

[ianhindmarsh]

For the first year of my naval career, as a fresh-faced 16 year old, all my ironing was done on a wooden chest of draws with a blanket on the top. I was quite good at ironing so I'd iron my mate's shirts while he bulled my boots... Took me a while to get used to using a proper ironing board! 😅

[JeffWilkinson]

Bravo, Ash! Well done! So many men do not know how to iron, and you demonstrated in a matter-of-fact, no-nonsense way. I was also taught in the military, but have let my skills lapse. No more!

[wilsonov]

My father was a police officer, and he had me iron his white police shirts each week for pocket money from a young age. He would inspect every shirt I ironed, and any not meeting his high standards had to be redone. Thousands of shirts ironed over many years taught me an essential life skill. I didnt enjoy it at the time but now I thank him for that, as well as for teaching me about responsibility, quality standards and pride in a job well done.

[jphilli]

I didn’t think I needed to watch this video. I’ve been ironing my own clothes since I was about 13 and I’m 37 now, however, I’m glad I did because I had honestly never figured out the best way to iron the shoulder panel and it never occurred to me to fold the shirt in half at the seam like you did. 24 years worth of ironing experience and I learned a new technique today. Thank you.

[ryangrimm]

Might I recommend:
1) I clean the plate of the iron occasionally, using baking soda and a bit of water. A quick rub and wipe and I'm certain it's clean, and no residual starch or extraneous material to stain a shirt. I pay attention to the steam holes, they can hold 'stuff'.
2) I use distilled water in my iron. Regular tap water will have minerals dissolved in it, which gets left in the steam vessel when the water evaporates into steam. This will eventually coat the inside of the steam vessel, reducing it's efficiency and eventually killing the iron.
Plus, distilled water is CHEAP, around 89 cents a gallon. This is cheap insurance to extend the life of the iron (mine was $35, bought 20-odd years ago), and guarantees no iron or other minerals might get pushed out onto the fabric...paranoia has it's benefits.
If you must use tap water, drain it out as best you can (CHECK THIS FIRST BEFORE DOING, SOME CANNOT BE DRAINED PROPERLY/FULLY), and give it a rinse with white vinegar, flushing out out after 10 minutes or so. Flush thoroughly!
3) I find small spray bottles at hardware and other stores, they have a multitude of uses. I label mine DISTILLED H2O. One filling will do several shirts.
4) I sometimes drop shirts off for laundry, but have yet to find anyone that can do a proper Military Starch. I'm STILL learning how to do it myself. My dad had a laundry that could do it for his uniforms, no one around here that I can find to do it. I think I'm going to have to go to a local military recruiter and find out the best way to get it done, there's a station nearby.
The same laundry also did my mother's Nurse's Caps....I'm talking early 1970s here, but still....
5) The ironing board cover may need an occasional cleaning, I just wipe it down with a damp cloth and dry it off.
Thank You for covering this subject. It and many other minor skills must be taught or will be lost.

I hope this helps.

[simsdaan]

Excellent explanation sir! Not too long, not too detailed, just perfect! Thank you 😊

[mopo]

Love the idea of this series! Many of us were never taught these important life skills, thanks for taking the time to allow us to get another step closer to chap nirvana ❤️

[ianf]

Thank you Ash. I have always struggled ironing as I have never been taught. I have now learned from a master.

[hunterluxton]

Another straightforward, non fussy advice video concerning a skill that's much over looked, dismissed or not even on properly considered. I use to iron my own shirts as a 12 year old, as I was not happy with my mother's efforts! What I like about your series Ash, is that you cover all of the finer details of " chapdome" without any condescension or affectation. In order to perform the job one needs the right tools and skill set. Beautiful video. ❤

[AS-bsfy]

Thank you for that tutorial. I work for a doctor and his housekeeper has been ill. So I offered my services. And he's mainly looking for someone that can iron. I just wanted to refresh and make sure that I was going to do everything proper because I have to work with him everyday and it would be a shame if I didn't iron his shirt a proper way.

[kaykunz]

Great video Ash. I find this back to basic series very helpful. I am looking forward to the trouser video.
I am glad that my father taught me ironing over 20 years ago. He ironed his dress shirts himself. It was never seen as my mother's job because he chose a profession in which he had to wear shirts everyday. The only thing I do in addition is that at the end, I fold the collar into position and iron from the inside over the collar crease to enhance the crease.

[Fush]

As a house hubby.. I thought I was the only global ironing expert. I’m thrilled to see there’s 2 of us. 🥂

[lorettashumate]

Having spent a lot of time in the military this is about the same way I do my shirts with perhaps a few more spritzes of starch. Good show!

[nickkambitis]

Good effort. I’m ex navy, I also iron my own shirts exactly as you do. I use starch on formal shirts on the collar and front.
I generally only iron my shirt when I wear it. My wardrobe has many shirts, un-ironed!

[timothyhawthorne]

The best shirt ironing video on youtube by far