It is a great acrylic shirt that you have purchased. How should you maintain it, especially how should you iron it? Don’t use a scorching iron! Using a cool iron is a blessing! It’s a bit of an oxymoron – cool iron has nothing to do with being cool to the touch! The setting is 110 C (230 F). It refers to the set with a single dot on most irons, this being the lowest temperature setting. When using a cool iron, do not use steam.

How Does a Cool Iron Work?
Using a cool iron means using your iron at its lowest temperature setting. This is used on fabrics or clothing when the care instructions call for ironing with a cool iron. A cold iron should also be used on nylon or acrylic fabrics as these can melt when ironed with a hot iron. Learn how to master cold ironing with these tips.
Cold Ironing Involves Several Steps:
In addition to good ironing techniques, practicing ironing is another household task that requires practice. The first thing you need to do is read your clothing labels carefully. The label on your clothes will indicate any essential ironing and washing instructions! Knowing how to read and understand clothing labels is necessary for this. Some examples are below.
Symbol 1: The empty triangle indicates using bleach is ok for this fabric or clothing item.
Symbol 2: This symbol indicates that bleach should not be used.

Symbol 3: Indicates that a non-chlorine bleach can be used on the garment.


Iron symbols: The symbols above indicate which heat setting to use with a clothing item or fabric. Some very delicate fabrics are not suitable for ironing at all.
Regarding Ironing, Represented by This Icon:
Most irons have between 1-3 temperature settings. This is what we are focusing on in this article. The temperature chosen will depend on the type of fabric you are planning to iron.
The meaning of the dots on the iron symbol:
- Acrylic, nylon, silk, or acetate Fabrics require cold ironing (110 C or 230 F).
- Polyester or wool should be ironed at a maximum temperature of 150 degrees Celsius (300F)
- A hot iron can be used for cotton or linen fabrics (200°C or 390F)
So that’s the definition of “cold ironing.” Don’t forget, only one point or the lowest temperature setting! And this is the temperature at which you should set your iron.
A Step-By-Step Guide to Cold Ironing:
Once you have set your cold iron to a temperature below 110°C, you will need an ironing board or bath towel on your table. When ironing your garment, follow these steps:
Step 1:

When ironing a shirt, you should start with the sleeves. When ironing a t-shirt, you should iron the back first. It is best to iron trousers from the pockets to the legs.
Step 2:

After folding, make sure to avoid creases by folding carefully. Let the clothing cool before putting it away after it has been ironed.
Step 3:

Most sheets are made of cotton. As a result of this most sheets can be ironed at the hottest temperature setting – at approx 200C or 390F.
Step 4:

Is there another method of cold ironing textile fibers? While it is not safe to use the steam feature of an iron when using the cold setting, there is another option. Most clothes steamers produce hot steam at around 100 degrees Celsius. If you have an acrylic shirt with creases, you can remove them with a steamer. Clothes steamers come in both handheld and standing versions.
What is The Best Way to Care for And Repair Ironed Clothing?
The best way to maintain the look of just-pressed clothes is to hang them immediately after ironing. Take immediate action if you scorch a garment while ironing. You may be able to remove the scorch marks with laundry detergent, white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, or hydrogen bleach.
Generally, evening wear comprises fabrics and designs that are difficult to iron or should not be ironed. The best way to remove wrinkles from a garment is to take it to the dry cleaners. You should take formal wear, such as gowns or suits, or garments that must be dry cleaned, to a dry cleaner for professional cleaning.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (FAQs)
Is Synthetic a ‘Cool Iron’ Setting?
If your iron has settings indicating fabric type instead of dots or numbers, the setting labelled “Synthetic” will usually be the coolest setting. This setting is suitable for synthetic and other fragile fabrics.
How Do You Cold Iron a Dress?
It depends on the fabric that the dress is made out of. You can use a medium iron temperature of 110 to 150 degrees on polyester, silk, satin, and wool fabrics. If you intend to iron silk, satin, or wool, it is a good idea to do so on the wrong side of the material or use a cotton cloth as a barrier between the iron and the delicate fabric. Also avoid steaming or wetting these fabrics during ironing.
How Long Should You Let an Iron Cool?
Before putting an iron away, let it cool for at least 10 minutes. It is possible to start a fire with an iron because of its extreme heat. When you’re done ironing, turn off the iron. Let the iron cool for at least 10 minutes before storing it.
How Do I Cool Down My Iron?
After the iron has cooled down, empty the remaining water in the tank set the thermostat to a minimum, and turn off the steam control. You can then stand the iron upright or store it in its base (depending on the model).
Should I Put Water in My Iron?
According to most manufacturers, you should only use distilled water in steam irons. Minerals in tap water can clog the iron or stain clothing, but distilled water won’t. Starch can be used to help make ironing easier, give clothes a crisp professional look, and help to keep wrinkles at bay longer.
Conclusion
A cool iron setting is generally around 230 degrees Fahrenheit. Fabrics like acrylic and nylon, which are synthetic or delicate, should be ironed at the lowest temperature setting on your iron.
Fabrics such as acetate and silk should also be ironed at a low temperature. To turn the iron to a low setting, look for the temperature knob on the front. For the coolest temperatures, turn the knob to 1 or 2 if the knob has a number scale. Some irons indicate what type of fabric each setting is suitable for.
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