Clothing: Ironing

When you look good, you feel good. And sometimes that means getting your clothes nicely pressed before you get dressed. So let’s look at some tips for ironing your clothes with confidence and care, no matter your level of vision.

As a first step, you’ll want to check the care tags in your clothes to see whether the fabric can be ironed. Using a magnifier can make it easier to read the tag. If you have a smartphone, you can use the built-in magnifier app to zoom in and see the details. Or you can use an app, like Seeing AI, to have the text read out loud. Check out our iPhone and iPad magnifiers workshop, and our Seeing AI workshop series for details.

If the thought of using a hot iron doesn't appeal to you, you can use a garment steamer instead, to get the wrinkles out of your clothes. Check out the Resources for a handout with tips on steaming your clothes.

Now let’s look at some steps to get ready for ironing. First, be sure you’re working in an area that’s well-lit. And working with contrasting colors can be helpful, too. If you have a lot of white or light-colored shirts, for example, choosing an ironing board with a dark cover can make it easier to see your work.

Just as you’ve always done, you’ll want to set up your ironing board on a solid, even surface with an outlet nearby. And double-check that the cord won’t be crossing an area where you or others will be walking.

While the iron is cool, it’s a good time to add bump dots or other tactile markings, which can help you find the right settings by touch. Check out our workshop on labels you can touch for a few ideas.

If you’re using the spray or steam feature, add water to the iron while it’s still cool, too. Gently shake the iron first and listen for sloshing to see if there’s already water in it.

If you do need to add water, it’s helpful to use a funnel, a turkey baster, or a squeeze bottle with a small tip to pour it into the opening slowly. Do your pouring over the sink or on a tray, and use a towel to dry off the iron when you’re done, in case any water has spilled.

Some irons have a line to show you when the water tank is full. If you have low vision, using a magnifier and good lighting can be helpful to find the line. Or you can use a smartphone magnifier app to zoom in and see the details. And jiggling the iron slightly makes the water move, so it might be a little easier to see how high it is. If you know how much water your iron holds, you can use a measuring cup ahead of time to add just the right amount.

It's also a great idea to practice with the iron while it’s still cool. Get a feel for the movement and how to reach the controls you need. And practice putting the iron down in a safe place. Give yourself plenty of room to set it out of the way; to the right if you’re right-handed, and to the left if you’re left-handed.

Some ironing boards have a built-in iron rest on the end of the board, which gives you a perfect place to put the iron down safely. Or you can buy a silicone, heat-resistant pad that lets you set the iron, plate-down, instead of on its heel. This makes it less likely that the iron will tip over, and less likely that you’ll reach toward the hot faceplate by accident.

Whenever you put the iron down, first feel for the iron rest or pad with your other hand, to be sure you’ve got the right spot. And once you set it down, jiggle it back and forth just a little, to make sure it feels secure, and it won’t tip or fall. If you don’t have an iron rest or pad, set the iron down on its heel, with the hot faceplate turned away from you.

Now here’s a tip for picking up the iron after you’ve set it down. Gently find the cord with your hand, then move your hand up the cord until you reach the iron. That way you can find the handle safely, and you won’t reach toward a hot spot by mistake.

When you’re ready to get started, make sure the heat settings and steam settings are turned all the way off. Then after it’s plugged in, adjust the settings as you need them, using a magnifier or your tactile markings and sense of touch.

Most irons take a couple of minutes to heat up. Some have a light to indicate when they’re ready, or your sense of smell can be a good clue. You can also run the iron across your ironing board for a moment. When you remove it, use your other hand to lightly tap the board and test whether the surface you just ironed is warm enough.

As you iron, your sense of touch can be a handy guide to tell you where you stopped and where to pick up again. The section you’ve just finished will still be warm, and the other areas you’ve ironed will feel smooth. Ironing in short strokes makes it easier to keep the iron away from your other hand.

And here’s another tip: If your garment has buttons, turning that section so the buttons face down, onto the ironing board, can help keep them safe from the heat.

When you’ve finished ironing and you’re ready to put things away, here’s a tip for safely unplugging the iron. Adjust the settings to “off” and set the iron down on the iron rest or pad. Then find the cord with your hand again, and gently follow it toward the outlet. Once you unplug it, tuck the cord out of the way while the iron cools.

An iron usually takes much longer to cool down than it does to heat up. Leave it for at least 10 minutes, then test it again by running the faceplate across the ironing board, and then feeling the board with your other hand. If that surface feels cool, the iron is ready to put away.

As always, if you need more information or you've got your own tips to share, contact a Hadley learning expert. Of course, as with anything new, give yourself time, patience and practice, and you'll get there.