Ironing items made from flax fibers, commonly known as linen, requires specific conditions to effectively remove wrinkles and achieve a smooth finish. Based on the provided reference, the process involves preparing the garment, using moisture, and setting the iron to a high temperature specifically for linen.
Understanding Ironing Flax (Linen)
Flax is the plant fiber used to create linen fabric. Linen is known for its beautiful drape and natural texture, but it also wrinkles easily. Ironing linen requires a hot iron and often some moisture to relax the fibers and press out creases. The reference confirms this by recommending a specific high-temperature setting for "linen (flax)."
Step-by-Step Guide to Ironing Flax Items
To iron items made from flax (linen), follow these steps:
- Prepare the Garment: Turn the item inside-out. As noted in the reference when discussing linen pants, you should "turn them inside-out, same as you would do with any linen garment." This helps prevent potential shine marks on the right side of the fabric caused by the hot iron.
- Apply Moisture: Spritz the fabric with water. The reference advises to "Spritz them with water" before ironing. Linen fibers respond well to moisture when ironing, making wrinkles easier to remove. Ironing linen while slightly damp is often recommended for the best results.
- Set the Iron Temperature: Turn the iron to the appropriate heat setting. According to the reference, you should "turn the iron to a linen (flax) setting which is usually 230 C/445 F." This high temperature is necessary to effectively press the resilient linen fibers.
- Position and Iron: Smooth the item and place it on the ironing board. The reference mentions to "Smooth your linen pants, position them on the ironing board." Carefully iron each section of the garment. For example, if ironing pants, you would "iron each leg both sides," as described in the reference. Work in sections, pressing firmly but moving the iron steadily.
Key Tips for Ironing Flax (Linen)
- High Heat is Crucial: Linen requires a high temperature to effectively remove wrinkles. Always use the designated "linen (flax)" setting on your iron.
- Moisture Helps: Ironing linen when it is slightly damp is significantly easier than ironing it dry. Use a spray bottle to spritz water evenly over the fabric or use the steam function on your iron if it's powerful enough for linen.
- Iron While Damp: For heavily wrinkled items, ironing while the linen is still damp from washing can be most effective.
Following these steps, utilizing heat and moisture as recommended, will help you successfully iron items made from flax fiber (linen).
