Hints & Tips
Here are some handy tips and practical "how-to" advice on getting the most out of your Tefal appliances.
If you have a question that is not covered below, or would like to share your tips and tricks with us, feel free to Contact Us to submit your suggestions.
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1 - Caring for lace
1. First, place a nylon net or fibreglass screen over a vacuum nozzle and gently sweep over frilly thread work to remove dirt.
2. Before washing, support the lace by sandwiching it between two layers of fibreglass or stitching it to clean muslin. Ensure that you stitch between the lace rather than pierce it.
3. It's essential to pre-soak lace before washing. But never pour water directly over it. Direct application of hot water can cause shrinkage. Fill a container with distilled, lukewarm water and gently immerse for 30 minutes.
4. In lukewarm water, add one tablespoon of liquid soap for every gallon of water. Be patient, as lace must soak for an hour with an occasional gentle plunge to ensure even washing.
5. Remove lace from the wash. ALWAYS DRAIN WATER FIRST, and you will minimise any chance for damage.
6. After a proper wash and removal, rinse the piece several times and allow it to air dry at room temperature on a flat surface.
7. Once dry, iron at a high temperature using a press cloth and then apply a boost of steam.
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2 - Common Ironing Issues
Every fabric has unique ironing needs. Below is a list of fabrics and the best way to handle them:
- CORDUROY AND VELVETEEN:
Place a thick towel on the ironing board. Turn the garment inside out and iron. For difficult-to-iron areas, apply a vertical steam boost.
- COTTON:
Iron the fabric right side up, with a steam or dry iron. When dealing with dark, solid colours, turn the article inside out to avoid shine.
- EMBROIDERYAND LACE:
Place the fabric down on terry cloth. Use steam and avoid pressure.
- KNITS:
When it comes to the weaves and braids of knits, it's crucial not to stretch the fibres by running the iron the length of the fabric. Instead, you should consistently press and lift the iron over the fabric.
- METALLIC:
Avoid heat! Instead, press lightly with a cool iron and use a thin press cloth.
- PILE AND NAP:
Place the garment face down on a padded surface and use a steam boost without applying pressure. Now smooth the garment by gently brushing or shaking.
- POLYESTER:
Polyester is not a natural fibre and tends to have a lower melting point. Be sure to check labels for temperature settings.
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3 - Crafty ironing
Iron fiddly bits : collars, cuffs, frills, sleeves etc first, then the "body" of a shirt or dress last so it won't get creased again whilst you're on those time-consuming bits!
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4 - Ironing a shirt
Always remember to iron in up-and-down strokes, for circular motions may damage material.
1.Collar: Starting with the underside of the collar, work towards the ends and back to the centre
2. Shoulder yoke:Smooth the yoke by slipping one shoulder over the narrow end of the board, ironing from the shoulder to the centre of the back. Repeat on the other side.
3. Cuffs: Iron the inside first, then the outside.
4. Sleeves: Iron the body of each sleeve, beginning with the cuff opening then the reverse side.
5. Body: Iron the shirt body, beginning with one front panel and continuing to the other.
6. Collar: Once the entire shirt is done, re-press the top of the collar.
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5 - Ironing Challenges
- PERFECT FRENCH CUFFS AND SHOULDERS:
For a French cuff or the shoulder area of a jacket or blouse, a sleeve board produces great results. If a sleeve board is unavailable, try rolling a towel up into the sleeve and ironing directly on the cuff.
- CARING FOR SENSITIVE FABRICS:
Ultra-sensitive fabrics respond favourably to ironing with a press cloth. A handkerchief or all-cotton napkin can be substituted for a press cloth.
- CONTROLLING STARCH:
There are varying opinions on starch because different people prefer different levels of stiffness. The convenient solution is to dilute store-bought spray concentrate to your preferred specifications and apply to clothing with a fine-mist spray bottle.
- CONQUERING LARGE ITEMS:
Large items require a large ironing area. It's especially helpful to use the wide end of your ironing board. A plastic tablecloth or old sheet can be placed on the floor beneath the garment to keep everything clean.
- PROTECTING RAISED, EMBROIDERED DESIGNS:
Ironing embroidered designs is easier than most people think. Just lay the garment face down on a terry towel and press using a steam boost.
- REDUCING FABRIC SHINE:
Soak a press cloth in water and wring it out. Place the damp press cloth on top of the shiny surface area and press. Repeat several times until the area is almost dry. Using a soft brush, raise the nap of the fabric.
- MAKING PERFECT CREASES:
Iron the crease and set it with a steam boost.
- AVOIDING DISCOMFORT:
Set the ironing board at hip level to avoid slouching.
- MASTERING COLLARS, CUFFS AND HEMS:
Avoid puckers, by ironing inside first, then outside. Add a steam boost for a crisp finish.
- PROTECTING DELICATE BUTTONS:
Buttons can actually be protected by covering them with a spoon. Just place the spoon over the button and iron the surrounding area.
- GOING OVER GATHERS AND RUFFLES:
Try ironing on the inside, from the outer edge toward the gathers. If the material is too difficult to manoeuvre, hang the garment and use a vertical steam boost.
- PERFECTING PLEATS:
Start at the bottom with the inside of the pleat and then move to the outside. To set pleats, apply a steam boost.
- SMOOTHING SEAMS:
First, flatten the seam smooth with your hand. Now iron the inside length and press the outside.
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6 - Ironing items with zippers
The instructions below make ironing zippers easy.
1.First, zip the garment up.
2. Press the inside flaps with the tip of your iron.
3. Undo the zipper and iron lightly along the surrounding fabric.
4. Close the zipper and iron the outside of the fabric.
Note: Avoid ironing the teeth of a plastic, nylon or polyester zipper. These zippers melt easily.
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7 - Ironing pants
Ironing pants can be a simpler process when the steps below are followed:
1. Pockets: Lay the pockets on the ironing board and press.
2. Waistline: Take the waistline and fit it around the ironing board. Then iron the top of the pants, rotating the garment away from your body.
3. Legs (inside): Lay the pants flat, one leg on top of the other. Now line up the inseams by matching the sides of each leg and iron the inside of the bottom leg by folding back the top leg. For the other side, simply flip and repeat.
4. Legs (outside): Keep the inseams lined up and iron the outside of each leg. To set creases, use a steam boost.
Tip: Pressing wool or dark fabric slacks often creates a shiny look. To avoid an unwanted sheen, use a press cloth or an old handkerchief.
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8 - Ironing Tips
- HEAT and STEAM:
Flatten the garment's wrinkles and ridges to a smooth, attractive surface by the simple application of heat and steam. It's an unbeatable combination for smoothing and straightening fibres while making fabrics more pliable.
- REDUCING WRINKLES:
Hang garments immediately after ironing them. When using starch, first spray the underside of the garment.
- EFFECTIVE IRONING STROKES:
Do not use circular strokes, as they stretch the fabric. For tough wrinkles, iron lengthwise and use the steam boost.
- TEMPERATURE SETTINGS:
There's a good chance your wardrobe is made up of numerous fabric types, each one with a different temperature setting:
- Synthetics and silks:
Low to medium temperatures.
- Cottons and linens:
High temperatures
- Wools:
Medium to high temperatures (use a press cloth to avoid shine)
- Garment techniques:
If your garment contains a lining, press it separately and check the label. If the lining fabric differs from the main garment, a different temperature setting may be required.
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9 - Ironing: getting started
Set up the ironing board at the right height.
Whether you're sitting or standing, you should be able to place your palms on the board without bending your arm or your back.
Adjust the temperature correctly.
Consult labels for manufacturer's suggestions. For blended fabrics, set the temperature according to the most delicate fabric in the blend.
Use proper motion and handling.
Start in the middle and work outward. There is no need to press hard, especially when using steam - for it's the power of steam, not the weight, which does the work. Follow a routine when ironing: first iron the collar, then cuffs and sleeves, then the button row (back side first), the back, front and the shoulders.
Take extra care with certain fabrics.
Iron all silks on the reverse side. Cultivated silks should be ironed when evenly damp, but should not be sprayed because they may spot.
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10 - No more small dents on wood
Small dents on a wooden surface can be raised by covering them with a damp cloth and placing a hot iron over the area for a couple of seconds. The wood swells and the dents disappear (try on a hidden area first).
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11 - Party Preparations
GETTING DRESSED UP:
Party garments can be difficult to prepare, but the tips below should make it easier:
a) Velvet dresses and bows - try a steam boost without applying pressure directly to the garment.
b) Delicate sleeves of your little girl's dress - place tissue or a washcloth inside the fabric of the sleeve and fill the fabric until the material is nicely rounded. Use your fingers to straighten the material and use the vertical steam function to eliminate wrinkles.
c) Long dress coats and full length dresses - apply a vertical steam boost to hanging clothes and bring them back to life.
DRESSING THE TABLE:
Preparing linen:
First, spray linen with starch. Set your iron at a high temperature and press your linen with ample steam. Avoid sheen by placing a soft, white, lint-free press cloth over the area to be ironed and use a steam boost.
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12 - Tips For Sewing Crafts
Some of the materials ironed while crafting or sewing are very sensitive to heat and can stick to an iron's soleplate. All irons are suitable for craftwork.
To avoid soleplate build-up from fabrics such as synthetics, bondables and fusibles:
- Make sure your iron is set to the correct temperature
- Use a press cloth when possible or appropriate to keep your iron and fabrics apart.
- If you collect a bit of your sewing or crafts on the soleplate of your iron, remove by rubbing the soleplate on a terry towelling cloth (100% cotton) while the iron is still hot.
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13 - Tips to take care of your steam station
a) Rinse and drain the boiler every 10 uses to get rid of any scale that might be present
b) It is not advised to de-scale the boiler because it could deteriorate the interior coating and could cause the steam to stain clothing.
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14 - To iron heavy curtains
Heavy curtains can be ironed vertically, and this is especially easy with a powerful steam iron. Use a pad to iron against a small, cotton-covered "scatter" cushion is ideal.
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15 - To lift vinyl floor tiles
Hard to remove or damaged vinyl floor tiles can be lifted more easily by covering them with foil and ironing with a hot iron. The heat softens the glue and allows them to be lifted.
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16 - To remove candlewax
Remove spilt candlewax from carpets and tablecloths by picking off any large pieces, then ironing over the remains through kitchen paper. Wash the tablecloth as usual afterwards.
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17 - What water should you use in your steam generator or steam iron?
Irons are specifically made to use tap water. Please do not use pure demineralised water, water from clothes dryers, scented or softened water, water from refrigerators, batteries or air conditioners, pure distilled water or rain water as these may damage the iron. These types of water contain organic waste, mineral elements that become concentrated when heated and cause spitting, brown staining or premature wear on your iron. Furthermore, softened water has had the "hardness" taken out of it, e.g. minerals such as calcium and magnesium, thereby reducing the rate of scale forming. However, Tefal irons rely on a degree of scaling from ordinary tap water to coat the internal steam chamber to improve steam generation and help prolong the life of the soleplate. In very hard water areas, a mixture of 50% tap water and 50% distilled water can be used.
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18 - When you have to iron
Ironing is no different to washing . The off-putting aspect of the operation is reflected by the fact that women prefer to increase the number of sessions rather than iron a whole pile of laundry.
TIME SAVING TIPS:
- Given the preparation required, it's best not to make it a daily task.
- Like washing, it's recommended to proceed with a preliminary sort and work through the temperature range: lowest first for synthetics, finishing up with the high temperatures for linen and cotton. An iron takes less time to heat than to cool
- Perfectionism has its limits. You can not iron certain items without tarnishing your reputation: jeans in particular only need to be manually flattened, the same can be said for tea towels, handkerchiefs and underwear
- For duvet covers, there is no need to iron the invisible side. Tea towels, handkerchiefs and napkins can be ironed two or three at a time
MIXING WORK WITH PLEASURE:
The time spent ironing can be used for doing other things at the same time, for example:
- relaxing with your favourite CD
- listening to debates on the radio or television
- phoning your friends (with a cordless phone of course!)
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19 - Why is it necessary to iron: the basic principle of ironing
a) All fabrics (natural or synthetic) are made of several textiles woven together. These fibres are naturally different in shape.
b) When a fabric is washed, the combined action of water and heat slackens fibres and restores their natural shape and position. When the fabric dries, the fibres become rigid and take anarchic shapes and positions.
c) Irons simply use heat and pressure applied by the soleplate to return the fibres to their rightful place: either by removing creases or by forming them.
d) Steam irons have an additional advantage as steam slackens textile fibres before drying them, thereby considerably increasing the efficacy and ease of ironing.
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