How to iron a sheet with an elastic band: 6 best ways

With the advent of sheets with an elastic band, the life of housewives was divided into “before” and “after”. The beds began to look perfect, like a stretched drum. But what is behind this beauty and how to achieve the perfect smoothness of the sheets, now let’s figure it out.

If you are reading this article, it means that you, like many others, are worried about the issue of ironing sheets with an elastic band.

Features of a sheet with an elastic band

If we look at this type of textile, we will see a wide canvas, pulled together at the edges. Sometimes the rubber band is sewn around the entire perimeter, and sometimes only in the corners.

This is where the rub is. Gathered edges are the hardest to smooth out. To cope with this task, you need at least one more hand.

Type of fabric and ironing temperature

Another important feature of stretch sheets is the composition of the fabric. Despite the special appearance, stretch sheets, like any other, are sewn from well-known materials. It could be:

1. cotton (natural or with the addition of synthetic fibers);

2. linen (natural and blended with the addition of artificial threads);

3. silk (natural and synthetic);

4. polycotton (fabric based on artificial fibers);

5. viscose (a natural fabric made from fibers obtained by artificial means);

6. microfiber (synthetic fabric);

7. bamboo (fiber from the bamboo stem, artificially synthesized).

The composition of the fabric dictates the parameters of the permitted impact on textiles. In addition to the correct washing modes, you need to choose a certain ironing temperature. If your laundry does not have a care label, please refer to the following table.

When observing the temperature regime, do not forget that some fabrics should be ironed only from the inside out. This applies to silk and materials containing synthetics. Natural fabrics can be ironed on either side.

Why you need to iron bed linen

Proponents of ironing justify their position by the fact that heat treatment destroys bacteria and linen mites. Unfortunately, the facts prove that these microorganisms inhabit not only linen, but the entire pastel.

But the arguments that it is more pleasant to sleep on ironed linen and it is more convenient to put it in a closet are much more convincing.

Under the influence of temperature and pressure of the iron, the threads are smoothed out, and the microvilli of the fabric are laid horizontally, which creates a feeling of softness and smoothness of the textile. For the same reason, the fabric becomes less rigid and voluminous, which makes it possible to stack it more compactly on the shelves.

Proper drying is the key to neat sheets

There are families where the clothes are not ironed, but they carefully approach the issue of drying. The bottom line is to straighten all the folds on a damp cloth. To do this, the linen is thoroughly shaken, holding the corners from 2 sides and then hung out in a straightened state. They take off the sheets, slightly dry, and fold them neatly, straightening the folds with the palm of your hand.

We do not recommend storing damp laundry unless you have already become proficient at recognizing the level of residual moisture that will not cause musty odor or mold growth.

But, if you decide to follow this method of storage, then, just in case, before sending it to the closet, walk along the surface of the folded textile rectangles with a hot iron.

Ironing methods

We will tell you a secret that those very places pulled together with an elastic band are usually hidden under the mattress. Therefore, you do not need to go to extremes and try to iron the hem of the sheet perfectly.

But in cases where creases have formed during drying or the fabric is prone to wrinkling, use our recommendations.

Iron and cushion

This method is suitable for those who do not have an ironing board. The pillow should have a cotton pillowcase. The roller can be replaced with a rolled up large towel.

Sequencing:

1. Iron the center of the sheet in the usual way.

2. Take the roller and pull the tightened part of the corner onto it, first on one side, then on the other. At the same time, treat the surface of the sheet with a steam iron.

3. If all edges are tied with elastic band, iron the entire perimeter of the sheet in the described way.

Simple ironing on an ironing board

The rounded end of the ironing board seems to be specially designed for the corners that are pulled together with an elastic band. It is most convenient to process a sheet folded four times. To fold it correctly, follow the instructions:

1. Turn the textile right side towards you with the long part up.

2. Put your palms in the corners.

3. Now connect the ends of the fingers of both hands and flip one corner to the other.

4. The bottom corners are also nested one inside the other. The canvas is now folded in half.

5. Next, turn the sheet with the fold down, put your palms in the resulting pockets and align them again as before.

6. Due to the tightness of the fabric, an angular fold is formed with lapels on both sides.

7. Straighten the fabric, laying the resulting folds, and proceed to ironing.

How to iron:

1. Place the sheet on the ironing board with the flaps up.

2. The folded rectangle consists of 2 panels. First fold back the top and iron the bottom layer without touching the gathering area. Then return the top layer of fabric and iron it.

3. Turn the fabric flaps down and pull the folded pockets over the rounded edge of the ironing board. Iron the fabric.

4. Take the folded sheet in your hands and turn all the corners in the opposite direction at the same time.

5. Place the fabric back on the ironing board and repeat the ironing procedure.

From the resulting position, it is very easy to fold the bedding for storage in the closet. It is enough to bend his canvas in half, aligning the long sides. Then fold in three more or roll into a roll.

Steam ironing

Most often, bed textiles lend themselves well to steam treatment. The creases are smoothed before the eyes. Let’s use this property to smooth out the corner creases. You can fold the sheet 4 times by aligning the corners and tucking them one into the other.

Steaming procedure:

1. Iron the folded textile in the middle.

2. Hook the resulting pocket from the tightened corners to the edge of the ironing board, stretch the elastic band with one hand, and steam along the edge with the other hand. Turn the corner pocket inside out and work the other side of the sheet.

3. Fold your linen for storage or put it on a mattress.

Mattress ironing

This method is suitable for busy people. You can use a steam generator or a steam iron. This method allows the use of under-dried sheets.

What should be done:

1. Put the sheet on the mattress in the usual way.

2. Steam all over the sheet, including the ends of the mattress.

3. Be careful with the decorative material of the bed base. It may lose its luster when exposed to high temperatures.

Wet smoothing

And this life hack can become your favorite. You do not need to iron in the usual way, it is enough to have a spray bottle with water or a special tool that you can do yourself.

So, having a very wrinkled sheet with an elastic band, do this:

1. Pull the sheet over the mattress in the usual way.

2. Moisten the entire surface with a spray bottle.

3. Wait 1 to 5 minutes.

4. Smooth out any remaining wrinkles with the palm of your hand.

5. Places where creases remain, treat again with water.

To make a softener for dry fabrics, mix fabric softener and water in a ratio of 1:4. Mix the ingredients and pour the solution into a spray bottle. After treatment with the specified composition, the folds straighten out, and the surface of the linen becomes fragrant and pleasant to the touch, as after ironing.

Ironing damp sheets

And this method will blow the minds and cause bewilderment of experienced housewives. But, this method has a place to be and works well. Let it be useful at least to bachelors.

What should be done:

1. Put the bedding in the washing machine and wash with a good spin.

2. If the maximum level of your machine is 800 rpm, do not remove the sheets and turn on 1 more spin cycle.

3. Remove the linen and immediately put the sheet on the mattress. Of course, it is better not to do this before going to bed. The best time is morning or lunch.

4. Smooth out wrinkles with your palms and leave to dry.

5. Drying, the fabric will stretch even more and you will get perfectly even sheets.

Taking into account the constant pressure of time, we have tested and offered you the fastest and most effective methods for smoothing stretch sheets. No one will reproach you for mismanagement, and the beauty of ironed linen