Give your housekeeper a good steam iron and a sturdy mesh ironing board with a well-padded cover. Make sure she knows how to read care labels, irons dark and printed clothes inside out and uses a pressing cloth on delicate fabrics. Then show her, once, exactly how you like things done: which items to iron, where creases go, and what gets hung or folded. Write it down on a simple preferences card she can keep at the ironing board.
Why ironing so often goes wrong
Most ironing problems have nothing to do with effort. They usually come down to one of three things:
- Every household is different. One family wants sharp creases in trousers, another wants none. One irons sheets and T-shirts, another only shirts. Without being told, she can only guess.
- Modern fabrics are tricky. Blends, stretch fabrics, prints and embellishments each need a different heat and approach. One wrong setting can melt, shine or scorch a garment.
- The equipment lets her down. A wobbly board, a thin cover or an old iron that leaks or sticks makes good results almost impossible.
The good news is that all three are easy to fix.
Start with the right equipment
| Equipment | What to look for, and why |
|---|---|
| Ironing board | A sturdy board with a mesh top, so steam passes right through the fabric instead of collecting underneath. Look for a wide surface, a steady frame that doesn't wobble, and adjustable height so she can work at hip level without bending |
| Board covers | A thick, well-padded cotton cover. Tip: sew two covers onto the mesh, one on top of the other. The extra layer gives a smoother, softer surface, protects clothes from the mesh pattern and makes the covers last longer. Replace them when they're thin, shiny or scorched |
| Steam iron | Good, even steam output, a smooth soleplate that glides, clear temperature settings, an anti-calc system and automatic switch-off. For a big family, a steam generator iron saves real time |
| Pressing cloth | A clean, thin cotton cloth placed between the iron and the garment. It protects silk, wool, dark fabrics and prints from shine and scorch marks |
| Soleplate protector | A clip-on cover for the iron (sometimes called an iron shoe) that lets her iron delicate and dark fabrics without a pressing cloth, and without shine |
| Sleeve board | A small board for sleeves, collars and children's clothes, so there are no creases along the sleeve |
| Spray bottle | For lightly dampening dry cotton and linen, which irons far better slightly damp |
| Good hangers | Enough shaped hangers to hang shirts and dresses straight from the board, so they don't crease again in a pile |
A good light near the ironing board, and somewhere comfortable to stand, help too. Ironing for an hour or more is hard on the back and feet.
Reading care labels
Every garment's care label shows an iron symbol. The dots tell her how hot the iron may be:
| Symbol on the label | Iron setting | Typical fabrics |
|---|---|---|
| Iron with one dot | Low, up to about 110°C | Nylon, acrylic and other synthetics |
| Iron with two dots | Medium, up to about 150°C | Polyester, wool, silk and blends |
| Iron with three dots | High, up to about 200°C | Cotton and linen |
| Iron with lines crossed out underneath | Iron without steam | Some delicate or coated fabrics |
| Iron with a cross through it | Do not iron | Some synthetics, sequins and coated items |
If a garment is made of mixed fibres, use the setting for the most delicate one. If there's no label, start low and test on a hidden area, such as inside a hem.
Fabric by fabric
| Fabric | How to iron it |
|---|---|
| Cotton | High heat with steam, while still slightly damp. Iron dark cotton inside out |
| Linen | High heat while damp. Iron inside out first, then lightly on the right side if needed |
| Polyester and blends | Low to medium heat. Too much heat causes shine or melting |
| Silk | Low heat, inside out, with a pressing cloth. No water spray, which can leave marks |
| Wool | Medium heat with steam and a damp pressing cloth. Press down and lift. Don't slide the iron |
| Cashmere | Low heat, inside out, always with a pressing cloth, or steam held just above the fabric. Fold, don't hang, so it keeps its shape |
| Jackets and blazers | Steam rather than iron where possible. Press lapels and seams lightly through a pressing cloth. Tailored or lined jackets are often best left to a dry cleaner |
| Denim and dark fabrics | Inside out, to prevent shiny patches and fading |
| Prints and embellishments | Always inside out, on low heat. Never iron directly over prints, sequins, beads or embroidery |
| Viscose and rayon | Low to medium heat, inside out, slightly damp, with a pressing cloth |
| Velvet and corduroy | Inside out with steam, barely touching the fabric, so the pile isn't flattened |
Techniques that make the difference
- Sort first. Group items by heat setting and start with the coolest, so she isn't waiting for the iron to cool down between items
- Iron slightly damp. Cotton and linen iron far more easily when not bone dry. Take them off the line a little early, or use the spray bottle
- Turn clothes inside out for darks, prints, embellished and delicate items
- Check before ironing. Empty the pockets, and never iron over a stain, because heat sets it permanently
- Use long, straight strokes along the length of the fabric, and avoid stretching knitted fabrics
- Work around buttons and zips, not over them
- Hang straight away. Let items cool on the hanger before folding or putting them away, so the creases set properly
- Do a test spot on an inside seam when she's unsure
Step by step: shirts and trousers
A collared shirt
- Collar: the underside first, from the points inwards, then the top.
- Cuffs: inside first, then outside, unbuttoned.
- Sleeves: lay flat along the seam, or use a sleeve board for no crease.
- Yoke: the shoulder area, over the narrow end of the board.
- Back: the whole back panel.
- Fronts: the button side last, ironing around the buttons. Hang straight away and do up the top button.
Trousers
- Pockets and waistband first, with the trousers inside out if the fabric is dark.
- Line up the legs along the inside and outside seams, so the crease falls in the right place.
- Iron each leg, using a pressing cloth for a sharp crease without shine, if that's how you like them.
- Hang them by the hem or folded over a trouser hanger.
How to share your preferences
This is where most of the difference is made. Housekeepers often learn ironing in one home and then move to a family that wants something different. A little time spent showing her what you want saves months of frustration on both sides.
- Do a show-and-tell. Iron one shirt and one pair of trousers together, the way you like them. Let her do the next one while you watch.
- Say what not to iron. Many families don't iron underwear, socks, towels, gym clothes or stretchy items. Saying so saves her hours.
- Be specific about creases. Trouser crease or not? Creased sleeves or smooth? Starched collars?
- Show how you fold and hang. Take a photo of a folded T-shirt, a folded towel or a hung shirt the way you like it, and stick it inside the cupboard door.
- Mark the special items. Keep delicates and dry-clean-only clothes separate, or in a marked basket, so they never reach the ironing board by mistake.
- Write it down. Put your preferences on a card she keeps at the ironing board. You can make one below.
- Give kind, specific feedback in the first weeks, and say when it's just right.
- Allow enough time. Ironing takes about 3 to 5 minutes an item. Our workload calculator shows how ironing fits into her day.
Make your ironing preferences card
Choose your preferences, then download or print the card to keep at the ironing board.
What should be ironed?
How do you like it done?
Anything else?
Looking after the equipment, and staying safe
Equipment care
- Empty the water tank after each use
- Descale the iron as the manual says, especially in hard-water areas
- Clean the soleplate when cool, following the manual
- Only use the water the manual recommends. No perfumed water
- Replace the board covers when thin or scorched
- Check the cord regularly for damage
Safety
- Never leave a hot iron unattended or face-down
- Unplug the iron when she's finished or leaves the room
- Keep the cord and board away from children and pets
- Stand the iron upright to cool, out of reach
- For a burn, cool it under running water for 20 minutes. No butter or ointments
Training helps
If ironing and laundry are a big part of her job, training builds both skill and confidence. Our Comprehensive Housekeeper Course covers cleaning, laundry, ironing and time management, room by room. It's online, takes 3 to 4 days and costs R500.
Frequently asked questions
Does everything need to be ironed?
No. Many families skip underwear, socks, towels, sports clothes and stretchy fabrics. Hanging and folding clothes carefully straight off the line saves a lot of ironing. Tell her clearly what you do and don't want ironed.
What water should go in the iron?
Follow the iron's manual. Some irons need tap water, others recommend distilled or a mix, especially in hard-water areas. The wrong water can cause brown spots and clog the steam holes.
What if she damages a garment?
Accidents happen, especially with unfamiliar fabrics. Talk about what went wrong, and check the equipment and care label. You may not deduct the cost from her wages unless she has agreed in writing and a fair process has been followed. See our guide to the first 30 days.
Why does the iron leave shiny marks?
The heat is too high for the fabric, or the iron is pressing directly on a dark or synthetic fabric. Turn the garment inside out, lower the heat, and use a pressing cloth or soleplate protector.
How much ironing is reasonable in a day?
At 3 to 5 minutes an item, two hours of ironing covers roughly 25 to 40 items. Spread it over the week rather than leaving it for one day.
A housekeeper who knows her way around an iron.
We place vetted, experienced housekeepers, and train them through our Comprehensive Housekeeper Course, including laundry and ironing.
Sources: International textile care labelling symbols (ISO 3758); garment and iron manufacturers' care guidance; Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997 (section 34, deductions); Domestic Angels Comprehensive Housekeeper Course.
This guide is general information. Always follow the care label and your iron's manual.