Help! How do you press a suit?

[mercoledi]

I have a suit that I need to wear at 5, but I wore it a few days ago on a long flight and it''s not as sharp looking as I''d like. Hanging it in the shower didn''t really help..

I have an iron and a mini ironing board, any tips?

 

[monarch64]

Is it wool?

 

[mercoledi]

Good question, 99% wool, 1% other. Lining is rayon and acetate.

 

[monarch64]

Make sure the plate on the iron is clean first (wipe it off with a damp towel before you turn it on), then turn it on whatever the wool setting is. You can probably get the pants pressed easily using the mini board, but I would hang the jacket and try to press it while hanging (cover your one hand with a towel and guide your ironing hand from the inside, if that makes sense). You shouldn''t have to press too hard, be careful and don''t burn yourself!

 

[monarch64]

Don''t let the hot iron touch the lining, either, you''ll burn a hole right through it.

 

[cellentani]

I would start the iron on a setting a little cooler than the "wool" setting on your iron (sometimes they run hot) and work up to a hotter temp as needed. Definitely use a pressing cloth (any smooth, lint-free cotton fabric should be okay, like a handkerchief), otherwise you might end up with shiny spots. If you're pressing a jacket, stuff the sleeves (unless you have a sleeve board, of course) to avoid creases. If you iron the lining (which I don't think should really be necessary), use a much cooler setting - linings can scorch very easily. Hope it works!

ETA: Gaah, Monarch posted at the same time - sorry for the redundant info. I've also heard of putting a suit in the dryer with a damp towel on low heat, but I've never tried this. Also, I think you'd end up with lint all over your suit too. Maybe if the damp item were lint-free?

 

[mercoledi]

Thanks Monnie! The pants I can handle, but the jacket had me stumped.

Steam or no steam?

 

[monarch64]

Date: 4/30/2009 1:38:20 PM
Author: mercoledi
Thanks Monnie! The pants I can handle, but the jacket had me stumped.

Steam or no steam?

If there is an option to steam, then by all means, STEAM!!!

 

[mercoledi]

Gah! My iron is useless! All it does is spit water on my pants. Grr, thank goodness I started this project early.

Ok, I''ve borrowed another iron, but the indentations on the plate are all gunky, any suggestions? Please?
It''s my third day in a new job and I need to get this thing looking a little better!

 

[monarch64]

Are you anywhere near a drycleaner? If so, take it in and have them steam it for you. They might charge you $5 or something, but it would be worth not worrying over it anymore!

If you can''t get to the cleaners, can you find a drugstore and get some Wrinkle Releaser? That stuff works wonders.

Otherwise, try to clean the soleplate and test the iron first on something else to make sure it won''t leave scum behind.

 

[mercoledi]

I was just at the drycleaner, but I thought I could manage!

Another iron and every tea towel in the house and I think it''s good enough, the armpits/elbows are the only spots are still kinda creased, and I have to wear this poor thing on the subway to get there anyway.

Thanks Monnie and Cellentani, I appreciate it.

And I''m buying a steamer tomorrow, this is too hard!