Can You Iron Chiffon? (How to Iron Chiffon Dress Easily)
Different fabrics, different cleaning techniques. Not all fabrics can handle ironing so make sure you check the cleaning label first before thinking you can iron your favorite blouse or dress. Some fabrics love being pressed into shape others take offense to it, Just do not pick the wrong material to iron.
Can you iron chiffon? Some chiffon styles can be ironed. You have to know which fibers the garment is made from before you pick up your iron and press your clothes. To iron certain chiffon materials, you need barely-there heat in the iron and do not use steam.
Does Chiffon Wrinkle Easily?
Unfortunately, the answer to that question is yes it does. Of course, there is a caveat that goes with that answer as some chiffon fabrics, like polyester, may resist wrinkles more than other ones.
Generally, expect wrinkles to show up on your chiffon clothing when you are not looking. The chiffon material that does need to be dry cleaned only may not show wrinkles as the professional takes care of that problem when he or she cleans it.
Check to see which fibers are used to make your chiffon dress, etc. This will determine if you can iron the clothing item or not. It will also tell you if the clothing item will wrinkle easily or not.
Believe it or not, polyester chiffon wrinkles a lot easier than other versions of the material except silk. You may have a better or easier time if you choose crepe chiffon to be the material in your dress or blouse.
This material doesn't seem to be as weak as poly or silk chiffon. It will be ultimately up to you which version you select but be careful, just because it looks good, doesn't mean it is strong.
How to De-Wrinkle Chiffon
One of the best ways to get wrinkles out of chiffon is by using the old steam and bathroom method. It is a safe and easy to do option that should not harm your chiffon outfit.
After some initial preparation, turn the shower on hot and walk out of the room closing the door behind you. Let the steam rise for 10 minutes approx., before going in to turn the shower off.
Now hang your chiffon dress or blouse, etc., in your bathroom and leave for 15 minutes. Again close the door behind you. When that time has expired, wrap a clean white towel around your forearm and rub the dress with that arm.
Go up and down gently as all you want to do is remove any wrinkles you see. Once that is done, let the dress dry and hang it back up in your closet. You may want to use a steamer on your chiffon dress but that may be too time-consuming for your busy schedule.
Can You Iron Chiffon?
Not every version of chiffon but there are a few you can iron. Because the term chiffon refers to a type of weave and not a specific fiber then you will have to learn which versions can be ironed and which cannot.
Not all fibers are the same and react to heat differently. The method described above works best with cotton and synthetic chiffon styles. It is not good for a silk chiffon blouse or dress, etc., and that version should be pressed by professionals.
Silk is not a DIY to remove wrinkle fiber and takes great care to keep it looking its best. Make sure to check the labels on the clothing item to make sure you can iron it or need to send it to a dry cleaner.
If the chiffon material can be ironed, you still need to learn the [proper method if you do not want to ruin the fabric. Ironing chiffon is not a walk in the park but takes special measures to make sure it is done right.
If you are not sure how to do it right, let the professionals handle the job until you have the knowledge and the confidence to iron chiffon.
How to Iron Chiffon
Depending on the type of fibers the chiffon item is made from, your ironing style may be different for each different fiber. Here is one way you can iron chiffon without ruining it.
- Step 1: Make sure the chiffon clothing is still a little damp. Lay it out on your ironing board keeping it nice and flat.
- Step 2: Next plug in your iron and turn the setting to low or cool. If you have a chiffon setting on your iron, then turn the dial till it reaches that temperature level.
- Step 3: Now lay a towel over the clothing item and begin to press your iron onto the towel. Keep the iron moving at all times and iron like you would normal fabrics.
- Step 4: Once one side is done, turn it over and do the other side if it has one. For example a blouse or a shirt, and so on.
- Step 5: After you are done, hang it up and put it away when your ironing chore is over for the day.
Ironing Chiffon Dress
- Step 1: The first thing you do is wash the chiffon dress if it is made out of material that can be washed. Usually, this is the poly chiffon or cotton style.
- Step 2: Place the wet dress in a towel to soak up the excess moisture. Do not dry the dress as it will become more vulnerable to heat.
- Step 3: Plug your iron in after placing some water inside its water tank. Then place the iron on low, cool, or chiffon setting. You want barely-there heat or no heat at all when ironing chiffon.
- Step 4: As you wait for the iron to heat up, place the chiffon dress on your ironing board and shape it with your hands.
- Step 5: After shaping your dress, place a damp towel over it. This prevents the dress from drying out. You do not have to cover the area you are starting with as that should be damp from the wash.
- Step 6: Use an ironing cloth or something similar to cover the part you are going to iron first. This keeps direct heat as well as steam off the dress.
- Step 7: Now you start to iron, using a vertical direction and smooth, even strokes. Go from the center to the outside edges to make sure you get all the wrinkles. You can lift the cloth to see if you were successful at removing those wrinkles or not.
- Step 8: Iron until you are done and the wrinkles have disappeared.
Can I Steam a Chiffon Dress?
Yes and no and you already know the reason for this. Different fibers react to steam in different ways and the end result may be pretty or it may not. If you need a wedding dress or evening gown, both with many layers, steamed, it is best to let the professionals do it. If you try to do it yourself, you can damage the dresses.
You do not want to use an iron’s steam function as water can easily stain the dress. So if you want to use your iron top press the chiffon material, use a dry iron. That will protect your chiffon dress.
But that doesn’t mean that all steam is bad. For those chiffon fibers that can handle water and steam, you can turn to the bathroom method mentioned above and get wrinkles out using that option.
The reason you have to be careful when ironing chiffon, no matter where it is found, is that the fabric has a tendency to overheat, stretch, and tear. If you can afford it and want to avoid ironing chiffon dresses, send them to the dry cleaners and get the job done professionally.
What Temperature to Iron Chiffon
Direct heat is not good for chiffon because it is a very delicate and vulnerable fabric. That is why the cleaning experts tell you to cover the chiffon material up with a damp towel. You do not want to iron chiffon directly as it will dry out and be damaged by the heat.
If your iron has a chiffon setting, then that is the go-to option to use. That setting will heat up only as much as chiffon can handle. But that setting does not mean you do not cover the material when you iron. Keeping the material damp is the best way to get the wrinkles out and protect the fabric from harm.
If your iron doesn’t have the setting then use low or cool heat temperatures. High heat will damage your chiffon outfit even with the towel over the top of it. You also have to be careful about water.
If you accidentally hit the steam button water only may come out and stain the dress or blouse.
How to Iron Chiffon Pleats
While the movement of the iron should be the same for all fabrics, you can’t just use any method or temperature to iron chiffon pleats. One of the keys is to fold the pleats like they are supposed to appear prior to ironing.
With pleats from other fabrics, you should keep a spray bottle handy so you can moisten the fabric as you work. But water stains chiffon so this option is not acceptable in this case.
Keeping the pleats moist while they wait there turn will be your biggest challenge. You may have to figure out which way is best for you to handle this challenge. Once you have that solved, start at the top and work your way down.
You can try to iron each pleat separately but that can take a lot of time and you have to be careful with your iron. That is because the tip has to get inside to the folds and iron them into place.
When you are done, make sure to hang the pleated skirt up by its top. That will keep the pleats nice and straight for you.
How do You Get Wrinkles Out of a Chiffon Wedding Dress?
The first method is always going to be the easiest method of all. That is because you are letting the professionals handle the task. When you do this, you are making sure you have one less thing to worry about and you do not have to worry about damaging the fine gown.
If you can’t afford to have the professional do the work, then there is a simple way to get it done right at home. This method will require a steamer and cool water:
- Step 1: Hang the dress on a garment rack or dress form making sure the skirt doesn't touch the floor.
- Step 2: Fill the steamer to the max line, with cool water, and turn the device on, letting it heat up.
- Step 3: hold the dress out with one hand separating the layers. Then place the steamer head about an inch from the fabric on the layer you want to steam.
- Step 4: Going slowly, pull the steamer head down letting the steam hit the fabric. Repeat this step until the dress is done and you have the desired results.
- Step 5: The bodice can be done the same way just locate the steamer directly in front of it before you get started.
Some Final Words
Chiffon is a difficult fabric to work with. Doesn’t matter if it is sewing the material or trying to get it nice and clean, you have to be careful when working with chiffon materials.
Once you master the different techniques needed to be used in cleaning chiffon, the process should fly right by and be done before you know it. Patience is a virtue you really need when cleaning or ironing chiffon clothing items.
