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Sometimes, you might notice shiny marks on your clothes after ironing. Of course, you can try a few methods to get rid of the shine but there is certainly no guarantee that they will work. If you are unlucky, the effects can be permanent and this will mar the appearance of that piece of clothing. The sheen will make your clothes look cheap and worn as it can look very obvious on black or dark-colored fabrics.
So, while you try to get the shine off, it is also good to learn how to avoid such ironing marks on your clothes so that you won’t face with the same problem over and over again. But first, let’s find out why clothes turn shiny after ironing.
Why Ironed Clothes Become Shiny
The shine comes about because the fabric has been ironed at too high a temperature. If the surface is uneven such as around pocket and fold areas, the chances of it turning shiny are even higher. That is why it is common to encounter this problem with pants as they have many uneven surfaces that you have to navigate while ironing.
If the iron soleplate is too hot, it will melt the fibers of the fabric and change its original texture. This will cause the patch on your clothes to have a sheen. The same thing can happen when you sit on a fabric for long periods of time because you would have compressed the fibers. That is why pants have a tendency to develop a shine around the buttocks area.
You may not be able to avoid this problem completely but you can minimize the risk by picking the right fabrics for your clothes and choosing the right temperature setting for the different types of fabrics when you do your ironing.
How To Remove Shiny Marks On Clothes After Ironing
You will first have to determine the type of fabric for your clothes. There is a higher chance of removing the shine from natural fibers such as cotton. Synthetic or man-made fibers such as polyester may not be able to be restored to its original condition if the fibers have melted due to the heat.
The easiest way is to use the steaming function of your iron if your clothes is made of natural fibers. Just hold the iron over the shiny area and release the steam to penetrate the fabric. This might work for shines that are not so obvious. If the fabric is not the delicate type, you can also use a soft bristle brush and try to loosen up the compressed fibers. This will reduce the shine.
If you choose to re-wash your clothes, you can add a bit of vinegar into the washing cycle with your detergent. Soak it in cold water overnight prior to washing might help too.
But if you are short of time, just dampen a cloth with vinegar and another with water. Alternately dab the cloths onto the shiny patch. Do it a few times to see if the shine will go away. You can also turn your clothes inside out and spread the dampen cloth with vinegar over the shiny area. Hold your iron just above it and release steam to penetrate into the fabric.
Some people also use hydrogen peroxide to do the same instead of vinegar. Hydrogen peroxide is a colorless solution that is often found around the home in the form of mild antiseptic and cleaning agent.
How To Avoid The Shiny Marks When You Iron
Rather than fret over the shiny patches after you are done ironing, a more practical way is to learn to avoid this problem in the first place. So, start by reading the label on your clothes. Find out what fabric it is, how it should be washed as well as the iron setting recommended.
If you are unsure of the iron setting, it is always prudent to start with a low temperature. You can always increase the heat level as you go along rather than starting at high heat which risks scorching your clothes especially if you are using the best steam iron which can reach very high temperatures in a very short time.
Use a padded and good quality ironing board. Iron inside out, especially for delicate fabrics and those that are prone to shine. Get a pressing cloth to protect your clothes. This will create a layer between your iron and garment so that the hot soleplate will not be in direct contact with the clothes that you are ironing. For certain types of fabric, you can also damp the press cloth for better results.
What Is A Pressing Cloth?
A pressing cloth is just a cloth that you can use to protect your clothes from scorch and shiny marks when you iron. This is the piece that will be taking the brunt of the heat coming from the iron soleplate. It is a protective layer that cuts off direct contact between the soleplate and the garment that you are ironing to prevent scorch and shiny marks from appearing on your garment.
Some people will use a pillowcase as an iron press cloth. You can also use a cotton cloth. But there are also pressing cloths available for sale and they are very practical with their see-through design which allows you to see the garment that you are ironing. They also tend to have a silky and thin texture that allows steam and heat to go through and penetrate deep into your clothes.
These pressing cloths are not expensive at all. They are a good investment if you do a lot of ironing. For just a little bit of money, you can save yourself a lot of time getting rid of shiny marks on your clothes after ironing and even protect them from damage.
John Martin says
Bundle of thanks for your useful content because i have been looking for the solution of shining marks on my dress after ironing so you got solved my solution appreciated your efforts!