What Temperature Should I Iron Each Fabric? The Simple Ladder

Here's the quick answer, coolest to hottest: synthetics and delicates get the low setting (one dot), wool and viscose the middle (two dots), cotton and linen the hot setting (three dots). When a garment mixes fibres, iron for the most delicate one in the mix. That single ladder prevents almost every ironing disaster.

The setting ladder, fabric by fabric

One dot (cool, ~110°C): lycra, nylon, acrylic, sequins and anything shiny or stretchy. These are plastics at heart — too much heat literally melts or glazes them.

Two dots (warm, ~150°C): polyester, viscose, wool. Warm enough to press, gentle enough not to scorch or shine the surface.

Three dots (hot, ~200°C): cotton and linen — the natural workhorses that not only tolerate heat but need it; their creases only surrender to a properly hot iron, ideally with steam.

The three habits that prevent disasters

Start cool, go warmer. You can always add heat; you can't un-melt a synthetic. If unsure, begin one dot lower than you think.

Test on a hidden corner — inside a hem, a seam allowance — before touching anywhere visible. Ten seconds of insurance.

Iron delicate things from the reverse, or through a cotton cloth (a clean tea towel works). This is non-negotiable for velvet, sequins and anything with a pile or shine — direct heat flattens texture and creates permanent shiny patches.

Pressing vs ironing — the sewing secret

When sewing, you mostly want pressing: lower the iron, hold, lift, move along. Ironing (sliding around) can stretch pieces out of shape mid-project. Press your seams as you sew — it's the single habit that makes handmade look professional.

And the fabrics that skip the iron entirely

Fleece, scuba and most knits barely crease and would rather not meet an iron at all — heat can flatten or glaze their surface. One more reason fleece is the beginner's friend. Every fabric we sell lists its care and fibre content on the product page — when in doubt, check there or ask us.