Can You Iron a Suit Jacket? Learn how Right Here

can you iron a suit jacket

Suits have been around for a long time and are an integral part of our classic wardrobes. A suit consists of a jacket and trousers or a jacket and skirt.

Can you iron a suit jacket? This is one of the commonly asked questions we come across. Most times, the materials used to make suit jackets don’t seem fit for ironing, which has raised many questions.

The answer is yes, it is possible to iron a suit jacket. We’ll show you all you need to know about ironing your suit jacket, so you can get those wrinkles out with confidence.

Can You Iron a Suit Jacket?

thinking about ironing jacket

 

It is possible to iron your suit jacket. As an alternative to the expertise of a dry cleaner, you can easily iron a suit jacket on your own. We’ll give you a detailed step-by-step guide to help you iron your jacket like a professional.

How to Iron a Suit Jacket

ironing suit jacket

 

Two main steps are involved in ironing your jacket – preparing and ironing.

Preparing

When preparing to iron, there are some important steps you need to perform. Let’s dive in.

Check for Stains

Before doing anything else, you must check your suit jacket for stains. A stain might have formed on your jacket unknown to you. Never assume that your jacket is stain-free before ironing.

An ironed stain is harder to wash off and can ruin your perfectly good suit jacket. It is important to check for stains because you can still wash them off before you iron them. If you iron a stain with your jacket, you are creating more problems in the long run.

One common stain that people overlook is sweat stains, especially on the collar or armpit region. Always check your suit for stains and wash where necessary.

Prepare Your Ironing Board

Once your jacket is stain-free and ready to be ironed, prepare your ironing board. The ironing board will give you a comfortable work surface, and you can easily iron out your suit. If you don’t have an ironing board, you can substitute it with a heat-friendly flat surface.

A flat surface that is not damaged by heat could be granite or hardwood. Don’t iron directly on these surfaces – instead, cover the surface with a thick cloth or towel. Also, make sure that your ironing surface or board is near a socket or power outlet.

Check the Care Label

Your suit jacket should come with a label on the inside. This label is important because it contains useful information about the jacket. The label tells you what material is used to make the jacket and instructions on how to take care of the suit jacket.

You need to check the label to confirm your jacket’s material. Once you’ve confirmed the material, you will need to adjust your heat setting to match the material. If the material is linen or cotton, your iron should be hot. Synthetic fabric requires low heat, and polyester blend requires cool-warm.

Clean the Soleplate

Soleplate of an Iron

 

The soleplate is the metal surface of the iron that you place on your cloth. It is normal for the soleplate to get dirty after constant use, and you will see black stains. If you try ironing your jacket without cleaning off the stains, there is a good chance the stain will rub off on your jacket.

You can easily remove stains with baking soda paste. To make a paste, you will need water and baking soda. Add a tablespoon of water with two tablespoons of baking soda, and your paste is ready. Rub the paste on the surface of the soleplate, and clean it with a wet cloth.

Prepare a Water Spray

Once you start ironing, you must moisten your jacket to prevent burns. Moistening the material helps to remove creases while ironing. To moisten the jacket, you will need water, so it is important to have a spray bottle filled with water.

If you don’t have a spray bottle, you can get a water bowl and place it near you. You can then use your fingers to sprinkle the water lightly on your jacket, but be careful not to add too much. Keep the water bowl at a safe distance so it won’t pour on your ironing board.

If you’re using a steam iron, there is no need for a water bowl or spray bottle because the iron already produces steam.

Connect the Iron to the Outlet

Once you’re done with the preparations above, plug your iron into an outlet. Set your iron to the appropriate temperature for your jacket’s material, and allow it to heat up. Ensure that the iron is at the right temperature before you start.

Use an Intermediary Cloth

When we say an intermediary cloth, we’re referring to a cloth between your jacket and the iron. It is not advisable to place the iron directly on the jacket because it tends to leave shiny spots. Find a thin piece of cloth and place it on the part of your jacket you want to iron.

You can also iron the jacket from the inside – if you leave a spot, it won’t show on the outside. You must be careful when ironing from the inside – the inner linen might be different from the material outside, so be sure to change the settings of your iron to match.

Ironing

Now that you have finished all of the prep work, we can talk about ironing. Let’s look at the simple steps you should follow when ironing your suit jacket.

Test the Iron

Before you place the iron on a visible part of your jacket, test it on the inside of the jacket. Place the iron on the inner hem of the jacket – if the iron stains it, it won’t be obvious on the outside. Correct your settings until your iron is ready for use.

Don’t iron any embroidery directly. Instead, iron the inner part of the embroidery to prevent burns. Also, iron out major wrinkles before you start ironing the rest of the jacket – it will make your work easier.

Iron the Back

Place your jacket on the board so the back is facing you. The back is the first part of your jacket that should be ironed. Be sure not to straighten out the arms of the jacket.

When you want to start ironing, use your spray bottle to apply water to the wrinkles – be careful not to spray too much water. After spraying the water, place your intermediary cloth on the suit, and use the iron to press the wrinkles until they disappear.

It is better to press the wrinkles out rather than glide the iron over them. Once you’ve ironed out an area, spray a little water on the next area and place the cloth over it. Continue this process until you’ve completely ironed out the back of your jacket.

Move to the Front

After you’re done with the back, the next step is to iron the front. The front of your jacket is divided into two pieces, unlike the back. You can’t get both sides of the front onto the board simultaneously, so you must iron them one side at a time.

Spray water on areas with large wrinkles first, and iron them out using the same method we used for the back. After you’ve ironed out the major creases, we can start with the rest of the front.

If your suit has darts, ensure the dart is in line with the outer edge of your ironing surface to prevent wrinkles.

Iron the Front

Unlike the back of the jacket, the front has lapels and pocket flaps. When ironing, avoid applying too much force on the lapels. Ideally, you don’t want to make a crease on your jacket label, unless you’re going for a military style.

Avoid ironing areas with shoulder pads, or they will form their shape on your jacket.

When you’re ironing the front, take notes of the pockets. Remember to pull out the pockets before you iron those areas, or they will leave wrinkles on your jacket.

Iron the Sleeves

Once you’re done with the back and the front, you can focus on the sleeves. Just like we did with the back and front, iron out any major wrinkles or creases.

To iron the sleeve, we recommend using a sleeve board. A sleeve board will make your work easier, and you can iron the sleeves while maintaining the shape.

Start in the center and follow the seams. Remember to use an intermediary cloth to protect your sleeves from burns.

If you substitute a sleeve board with any other cylindrical thing, make sure you wrap it with a cotton cloth before use.

Hang the Jacket

suits jackets hanged

 

Hanging the jacket after ironing is just as important as ironing. When you hang your jacket, it maintains the proper shape, and wrinkles won’t be able to form. You can hang your ironed jacket for months, and it will be fit to wear anytime.

Conclusion

Wearing a wrinkled suit jacket is something you should never do. If you don’t want to take your jacket to a dry cleaner, you can easily iron it yourself.

So, can you iron a suit jacket? The answer is yes! We hope we gave you the confidence to go out and iron your own. If you have more ironing questions, take a look here to find more

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