Ironing and Pressing of Clothes

• removing or setting creases
  For setting creases and also removing them when in the wrong place, iron with a pressing cloth soaked in a solution of 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water. This is a strong, smelly solution, so use in a well-ventilated room. The smell will soon leave the garment after airing. 

• steam iron cleaner
  Mineral deposits may be removed from an old steam iron by filling it with a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water and letting it steam until dry. Rinse the tank with clean water, refill it, and shake water through the steam holes over an old piece of material. Test on an old cloth before ironing. It is not advisable to try this on a new iron because the acidity of the vinegar may damage the iron. 

• starch-free creaser
  1/3 cup (75ml) vinegar
  2/3 cup (150ml) water
  Parchment paper
  
  Who says you need starch to put a permanent crease in your freshly laundered clothes? Mix 1 part vinegar with 2 parts water and transfer to a spray bottle. Squirt a little mixture on the section where you want a crease, cover with a piece of parchment paper, and iron as usual. Of course, if you prefer to remove a crease, rather than make one, use the same process but flatten the existing crease. This works especially well on the twill pants and denim jeans.

• Cleaning the bottom of an iron
  Vinegar
  Baking soda
  
  Use a paste of vinegar and baking soda to clean the sole plate of your iron. It will be smooth, clean, and shiny and will not harm any surface.   

• Cleaning and refreshing an ironing board
  White vinegar
  
  Spritz the ironing board cover to freshen it up and iron while it is still damp. This is cheaper than any purchased fabric freshener or odor eliminator. 

• easy iron cleaner
  1/2 cup (125ml) vinegar
  1/2 cup (125ml) water
  1 tablespoon (14g) baking soda (optional)
  
  A dirty iron can spell disaster when burned-on buildup of starch and hard water deposits leave a stain on freshly laundered fabric. To keep your iron in prime condition, combine the water and vinegar, along with the baking soda if the iron is especially dirty. Wet an old but clean towel with the mixture and then iron the towel until the plate of the iron is clean. Most manufacturers advise against putting anything except distilled water in an iron's reservoir, so don't use this formula from the inside out!  

• Refreshing an Ironing Board Cover
  Spritz the ironing board cover with vinegar and iron while still damp. 

• getting rid of shiny marks when ironing
  Mix half vinegar and half water and put into a spritzer bottle. When ironing, use the spray to help remove iron-made creases or shiny areas in the fabric. Spritz a shirt for a clean, odor-free, crisp garment, especially collars and underarm areas. Use a damp cloth and gently rub shiny areas, such as those that appear when the iron is too hot and you iron over a zipper, then repress and the shine will be gone. Repeat is necessary. 

• Cleaning Bottom of Iron
  Make a paste of baking soda and vinegar to clean the bottom of your iron.