How to Fold and Iron

Folding

• 1

  Stand at a large folding table or counter to fold your clothes. It should be a foot higher than a regular table, or as high as a kitchen counter to save your back.

• 2

  Practice folding items that present a challenge. Lay out a fitted bed sheet lengthwise on a folding table. Slip your left hand under and into the left corner pocket closest to you. Reach across and slip this pocket into the pocket on the opposite corner. Repeat the process for the corners to your right. Now pick up the sheet with your hands slipped into the doubled pockets, stretch out and fold in half. Insert one doubled pocket into the other. Square up this shape on the table by adjusting as necessary. Fold in half three times and it will go in your linen closet flat and square.

• 3

  Fold small items carefully and lay in the drawer in such a way as to avoid scrambling them up when you're in a hurry. Fold ties in half, right-side out, and then in thirds. Lay socks together and fold each end toward the middle. Slip the open side of one sock over the folded package to avoid separation if they are jostled in the drawer. Fold boxer shorts and underpants in quarters, and smaller items of underwear in half. Bras can be folded with one cup inside the other.

• 4

  Fold towels and washcloths lengthwise first and then in half twice. When you unfold, they will be ready to hang over the towel rack.

• 5

  Flatten a sweater or long- or short-sleeved tee-shirt face down on a folding table and pull the left sleeve toward the center at a natural angle. Pull it far enough so that you create a straight fold down the left side, about two inches deep. If the item has long sleeves, fold the sleeve back on itself to keep the left edge of the garment straight. Repeat this process on the right hand side. Now fold the garment in thirds towards the middle, starting with the bottom.

Ironing

• 6

  Use a fabric softener in the rinse water to relax the wrinkles and take clothes out of the dryer immediately. Shake them out, and hang on a hanger.

• 7

  Fill the iron with distilled water before you plug it in. Check the clothing fabric label for ironing or care instructions before you set the temperature on the iron.

• 8

  Iron dress shirts in the following order: collar, sleeves (flip over and press both sides), shoulders, back and each side of the front. If you use spray starch or sizing, spray and wait 10 or 15 seconds to allow it to penetrate the fabric. Use careful, short strokes, smoothing out the fabric with your free hand as you go. Hang the ironed shirt immediately on a hanger and button the top button so it will hang straight.

• 9

  Turn trousers or pants inside-out and press the waistline, pockets, the inside of the zipper closure, down the seams and the hem of each leg. Then turn right-side out, zip up the fly and press the top front area. Stretch out the legs using short, careful strokes, and iron down the length being careful to preserve the creases. Press the hem or cuff and then hang immediately on a trouser hanger.

• 10

  Iron dresses from bottom to top, to avoid re-wrinkling while you are working on the skirt portion. For delicate fabrics use an ironing cloth.