While it is common practice for garments to be pressed in high heat at cleaners to produce a crisp look, damages can occur to different parts of a garment if a higher than suggested temperature is applied.
Here, we’ve outlined some common issues we’ve seen from mishandling during the laundering process.
High Heat
Wool Fabric Seam Splits
Merino wool fabrics are more sensitive to high heat than other fabrics. If high heat is applied during ironing or pressing, it increases the likelihood of shirt seams tearing and bursting apart. This can happen on the shoulder, collar, or cuff areas.
We suggest hang drying all Merino wool shirts. Since these fabrics are naturally wrinkle-resistant , pressing should not be needed. Any touch-up should be done sparingly with a steamer.
Buttons
When buttons come in direct extended contact with high heat from pressing or ironing, they are at risk of softening and coming off the shirt and will need to be replaced.
Interlining Bubbling or Puckering
Collars, cuffs, and front plackets of shirts have a layer of interlining to give structure to those areas. Prolonged exposure of the interlining to high-heat pressing will cause irreversible bubbles, folds, or creases.
Pressing
Collars
A sign that pressing isn’t done properly is when the collar leaf isn’t folding back sufficiently to fully cover the seam where the collar meets the shirt. To address this issue, fold back the collar further, pulling along the fold until the edges of the leaf and seam meet, and iron or press the collar again.
Button Damages
Buttons appearing chipped after laundering is a sign of potential misuse of a commercial press. A commercial press covers a wide area of the shirt and comes into direct contact with buttons when pressing a shirt. The direct contact increases the chances a button’s edge will chip.
Similarly, snap buttons can be easily flattened if mishandled during pressing from a commercial press instead of hand pressing. The flattening of the snap is irreversible and makes it impossible for the snap buttons of a garment to work again.
In general, air drying reduces wear and tear. Always refer to the care label for optimal instructions for each piece of clothing.
Refer to our cleaning guide for Tailored Clothing and Casual Pants for more specific advice on caring for your garments.