Step 2: Select the "Cotton" setting on the iron with steam on (make sure plenty of water is in the iron). Only use the cotton setting when you are ironing a pure cotton shirt. Test an inconspicuous small area first to make sure the iron will not burn the fabric. Lower the setting if the heat is too high before ironing. The iron should produce steam vapor when ironing if it is working properly. There is good reason to iron your shirts at home. The harsh detergents and heavy starch of dry cleaners drastically shortens the life of a shirt, especially the collars and cuffs. Also, the hard pressing damages or breaks buttons.
Pure cotton shirts are the most difficult to press well. They tend to pucker and crinkle in the collar and seams, and never seem to look perfectly smooth unless they are professionally starched and pressed. However, you can do a very good job of pressing a shirt at home! Here are the keys to a do-it-yourself well pressed cotton shirt:
Step 3: First iron the collar. Iron the back of the collar, then the front. This gives the collar a smoother, crisper look. Next, iron the front of the shirt. Iron both sides of the shirt front, especially the placket. This makes the placket smooth and pucker free (make sure all seams are ironed smooth). After you have fully ironed the front of the shirt, iron the sleeves and the cuffs. Iron the inside of the cuffs first and then the outside. Next, iron the yoke of the shirt and the back. Finally, touch up the front of the shirt if needed. The benefit of ironing the collar and front of the shirt first is to insure that they ironed while still moist, getting the smoothest results possible.