According to an Allensbach survey, 90 percent of men claim that they can't iron. Is your husband one of them? Then show him this page. We prove that ironing is not that difficult.

Ironing made easy: the perfect accessories

Important when buying an iron

Ironing stations are quite expensive, but their quality is often unbeatable. If a normal steam iron is enough for you, you should look out for a large water tank, an anti-limescale system, a drip stop and vertical steam.

Also check how the iron fits in your hand. This is particularly important for left-handers. The iron does not have to be heavy, the cable should be long enough and flexible. A stainless steel soleplate is robust and easy to clean, aluminum/anodized aluminum conducts heat well but is susceptible to scratches, ceramic coatings glide well but can flake off. The higher the number of steam nozzles, the more evenly the laundry is soaked. If you have hard water, it is advisable to use an iron with an anti-limescale system to prevent damage caused by limescale deposits. These can leave stains on clothes.

The right ironing board

If the ironing board is correctly adjusted, your back will thank you! Adjust the ironing board to hip bone height - this is particularly gentle. It is important to choose the right size ironing board cover. A reflective coating also saves electricity. Tip: A layer of aluminum foil under the cover also reflects the heat.

Helpful ironing tips

Wash laundry with a little fabric softener

Even a small dose of fabric softener makes the laundry less creased. It also reduces creasing when drying.

Residual moisture

Remove the laundry from the machine immediately after the program has finished. Hang blouses and shirts on hangers. Shake out shirts vigorously. Iron garments while they are still slightly damp. Smoothing the laundry when it is not yet completely dry saves time and stress. Experts say that a residual moisture content of around 7 percent is ideal. In this case, the fabric feels as if it has been dampened with water. This is the easiest way to achieve the best results. If you have a tumble dryer, dry briefly. This loosens up textiles. Remove the clothes immediately when warm and hang them up.

Ironing thickness

Although blouses and shirts can be brought into shape with it, experts advise against it. Firstly, the spray often leaves stains on the soleplate, and secondly, the floor becomes slippery if something goes wrong when spraying. Better: liquid starch for the washing machine.

Natural cleaner

Treat stains on the soleplate with lemon. This also smells good the next time you turn it on. If an aluminum soleplate has become dull, vinegar water will help. Apply it to a soft cloth and simply rub it off. If fabric residue is burnt on, chemicals will have to be used. The ideal helper is a normal oven spray.

Delicate materials

If the ironing symbol is crossed out, the fabric must not be ironed. This is the case with synthetic fibers such as nylon, but also with silk, viscose and wool. Never sprinkle silk with water before ironing, as it can easily become water stained. If absolutely necessary, such delicate fabrics can be placed between two slightly damp towels and then carefully smoothed out at very low temperatures. Be careful with silk: this beautiful but extremely delicate material should only be ironed at a very low temperature, preferably covered, for example with baking paper. If silk creases after wearing, you can also hang it on a hanger in the bathroom. Shower steam will make it smooth again.

Refresh

The evening dress was only worn briefly, as was the man's suit. Instead of taking them to the dry cleaners, simply hang them on a hanger and give them a good steam treatment with an iron. Then they will look fresh again.

From the left

Delicate fabrics do not like heat. Many start to shine because the fibers stick together. So: always turn clothes inside out. This also applies to black clothes and, of course, T-shirts with prints. Otherwise they will quickly stick to the iron.

Linen fabrics - a challenge

Never let it dry completely, otherwise it will be a pain. Pure linen can withstand the highest ironing temperature (three points, 200 degrees). A spray ironing aid is recommended for heavy creases. A traditional aid is frizz remover water (from 6 euros, www.patin-a.de), as it straightens the fibers.

Follow the correct sequence

This is how you can get even tricky blouses smooth. The order is important: first iron all the small parts such as the button placket, collar and cuffs, then the shoulders and sleeves. Finally, iron the larger parts, i.e. the chest and back, because they can then no longer crease while you are ironing other parts of the blouse.

Ironing from cold to hot

Sort laundry according to ironing temperature. First iron the delicate fabrics at a low temperature. Then gradually increase the temperature. If you follow this tip, the last things you iron should be linen textiles and cottons. Once you have finished, switch off the iron. The residual heat is easily sufficient for T-shirts.

Completely relaxed

Quick, quicker, wrinkled! Real professionals keep calm and move the iron slowly and with pressure over the clothes. This makes the work more effective and you don't inadvertently iron in extra creases.

Everything in one go saves time and money

If you stand in front of the ironing board every morning to quickly iron your blouse, you are wasting energy. So give yourself a jolt and iron the pile of laundry in one go.

Well cared for

You can also wash the board cover. Dampen and iron it afterwards. Then the laundry will be really smooth.

Ironing with steam

Steam properly: Calcification between the heating elements can shorten the life of the iron. Therefore, use soft water. Not distilled water, as this can lead to defects. Dirty soleplate: Place on a damp cloth when warm and rub off dirt with a stainless steel sponge. Remove melted synthetic fiber residues with a glass ceramic scraper, clean steam holes with a toothpick.

You may also be interested in this:

Ironing without an iron: How to get your laundry smooth anyway
Crease-free shirts: 4 tips for crease-free ironing
4 tips that make ironing (almost) superfluous
Wash laundry properly: The absolute best tips
What doesn't belong in the tumble dryer?
Washing tips for knitwear: How to keep sweaters, scarves & co. beautiful for a long time