How to Iron Sheets

There’s something universally appealing about climbing into crisp sheets. Wrinkle-free bedding delivers that clean, luxurious hotel feeling from the comfort of your own home. But is ironing sheets actually necessary? 

Well, no. You don’t have to pull out the ironing board every time you make your bed. Some fabric types like linen and cotton percale are naturally wrinkle-prone, and we support that lived-in bohemian bedding look. 

However, that freshly ironed look and feel are pretty unmatched. So if you have a few minutes to get out those stubborn creases, we recommend it. And if you don’t have a ton of spare time, no worries! We’ll take you through some ways to iron your bed linens in a pinch. 

How to Iron Sheets: Step by Step

Okay, so you’ve decided in favor of ironing your sheets. Great choice! If you’re not exactly sure where to begin, no worries. We’ve got you covered. 

• Hand starching. Skip the dryer and wring out your bedding instead. Then, mix 3 teaspoons of cornstarch with some cold water before pouring it in a kettle with 1 quart of boiling water. Let the mixture boil for 30 minutes, stirring continually. Finally, submerge the bedding in the liquid for a few seconds, then wring out the fabric until it is nearly dry. 
• Starch spray. Dissolve 3 tablespoons of starch into 4 cups of water, then pour into a spray bottle and shake well. Spray your bed linen thoroughly with the starch and store the remaining liquid in the refrigerator. 
• Machine starching. A little prep work is required for this method as you’ll have to add starch to your washing machine before the final rinse cycle. Dissolve 5-6 teaspoons of cornstarch in 5 ounces of hot water. Stir until combined, then add the mixture to the fabric softener compartment. Complete the rinse cycle. 

You can also purchase liquid starches if you aren’t in the mood to wait for them to dissolve. A 1:1 ratio works perfectly! 

3. Prepare your workspace. Fold the sheets to a manageable size that fits on the board. You’ll be working in sections. If you’re using a steam iron, don’t forget to fill up the water reservoir. Tap water works just fine, but distilled is even better. If not, keep a spray bottle with water on hand. A bit of water goes a long way in fighting tough wrinkles. 

4. Grab the ironing board. Irons put out a lot of heat, so it’s important to work on a heat-safe surface. Pull out the ironing board and warm-up that iron. The cotton or linen heat setting is ideal for Or & Zon fabrics, but it’s always wise to check the label and do a patch test first. 

5. Get ironing! Once your iron is hot, you’re good to go. Using the iron, press down onto your flat sheets, moving in medium-length sweeping motions. It’s typically best to start inside the sheet before flipping it over to work on the outside. After you’ve finished a section, refold it and keep going until you’re done. 

Helpful Tips

• Ironing other bedding. The steps for how to iron a duvet cover, throw pillow cover, or fitted sheet are essentially the same. However, when ironing a fitted sheet, place the corner around the board, iron, and continue working around the rest of the garment. Continually rotate the fabric as needed, so you’re always ironing on a flat surface. 
• Welcome water. Wondering why you should be ironing your sheets while they’re damp? Water helps to eliminate any exceptionally stubborn creases. Keep a spray bottle on hand! 
• The bigger the board, the better. Always use the largest ironing board available to you. You’ll be able to spend more time ironing and less time rotating your garment. Win! 
• Use vinegar for damage control. Be sure to check your garment’s label before ironing to ensure you’re treating it at the proper temperature, but mistakes happen. If you scorch your luxury bedding sets, vinegar is your friend. Grab a cloth, dip it in white vinegar, and wipe the stain away. Once the mark is gone, use cold water to dampen a clean cloth and wipe over the spot again. 

Ironing Bed Sheets in a Pinch

We get that you don’t always have enough spare time to pull out the iron but still want beautiful crisp sheets. So, what alternatives are there? Try these out. 

• Steaming. Steamers are handheld or stand-alone machines that remove creases by using — you guessed it — steam. Steaming takes less time and often less space than an iron. Still, it’s just as effective. 
• Toss sheets in the dyer. Spritz your sheets with a bit of water, then throw them in the dryer. This will effectively steam your bedding and remove creases. 
• Prevention. The best way to get rid of wrinkles is to tackle them before they form. Be sure that your linens aren’t sitting in the washing machine or dryer for too long after their cycles are done, as this can worsen wrinkles and make them harder to remove. 
• Choose wrinkle-resistant materials. Okay, buying different sheets isn’t a wrinkle-solving problem when you’re on a time crunch, but it can certainly save time in the long run. Fabrics like cotton sateen, silk, and polyester blends are wrinkle-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about ironing in the first place. 

Final Thoughts

Ironing your bedding enhances that luxurious, hotel-like feeling and makes hopping into bed such a treat. Luckily, it’s easy to iron your bedsheets. Remember to use an ironing board, patch test before beginning, and that water is your friend. If you’re in a pinch, try using a steamer or tossing damp linens in the dryer to remove wrinkles quickly.