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How to Select the Right Iron Settings for Any Fabric

Prevent Burnt Clothes While Tackling Wrinkles Safely

an iron next to a stack of towels

The Spruce / Taylor Nebrija 

Selecting the right iron temperature settings can make the difference between a smooth, crisp garment and a disaster. The right temperature makes ironing quicker and gives a more professional result. The wrong temperature can make removing wrinkles or curled hem edges harder, or even worse, it can burn a hole in the fabric.

While all irons differ slightly in heat output, there are basic guidelines for the proper temperatures to iron different fabric types. The settings use a scale of 1 to 7, where 1 is the coolest and lowest, usually called the nylon setting, while 7 is the hottest and highest, commonly called the linen setting. Read on to learn more about iron temperature settings to keep your clothing in great shape.

Tip

When your iron malfunctions or runs too hot, it will leave scorch marks, burn holes, stick to the fabric, or make the fabric singe or curl up. If you are in the middle of ironing and notice these problems, turn off the iron and unplug it immediately.

Recommended Ironing Temperatures

If your iron uses a different scale or you want to know more exact temperatures for ironing different types of fabric, follow these guidelines for degrees Celsius and Fahrenheit:

 Fabric  Temperature (Fahrenheit)  Temperature (Celsius)
Linen 445 F 230 C
Triacetate  390 F 200 C
Cotton 400 F 204 C
Viscose/Rayon 375 F 190 C
Wool 300 F 148 C
Polyester 300 F 148 C
Silk 300 F 148 C
Acetate 290 F 143 C
Acrylic 275 F 135 C
Lycra/Spandex 275 F 135 C
Nylon 275 F 135 C

Low Temperature, Medium Temperature, and High Temperature

  • Low temperature: Usually 230 degrees Fahrenheit or below; setting 1; includes acetate, Lycra, nylon
  • Medium temperature: Usually 230 degrees to 300 degrees Fahrenheit; setting 2 or 3; includes acrylic, lace, polyester, wool, and silk
  • High temperature: 300 degrees Fahrenheit and up; setting 4 and up; includes linen, cotton, viscose/rayon, denim

Ironing Temperature Settings for Fabrics

Fabric Iron Setting Ironing Tips
Acetate 1 Press on the wrong side of the fabric while it is still damp.
Acrylic 3 Dampen the fabric slightly before ironing for touch wrinkles.
Beaded 1 Place the fabric on a plush white towel, and press on the wrong side using a pressing cloth to prevent damaging the beads.
Cashmere 3 Use steam only, do not press. The iron should not make contact with cashmere since agitation while damp from steam ruins fibers. For hard, set-in wrinkles, press on the wrong side using a pressing cloth.
Corduroy 7 Place the fabric on a plush white towel and press on the wrong side of the fabric. Turn the fabric over, and use steam-only on the front side of the fabric to refresh any crushed pile.
Cotton, lightweight 5 Press dark colors on the wrong side of the fabric to prevent shine marks.
Cotton, heavyweight 7 Press the fabric while still slightly damp. For dark colors, press only the wrong side to prevent shine marks.
Damask 5 Use a pressing cloth between the fabric and the iron to prevent snagging long fibers.
Lace 3 Use a pressing cloth between the fabric and the iron to prevent snags and pulls.
Linen 5 Iron on the wrong side of the dampened fabric for the best linen finish.
Nylon 1 Always use a pressing cloth for extra protection between the fabric and the iron because nylon burns easily.
Olefin 3 Avoid frequent ironing of olefin fabrics or use a light touch with the iron.
Polyester 3 Don't go above a 3 setting for polyester.
Ramie 3 Iron on the wrong side of the fabric while it is still damp.
Rayon 3 Iron on the wrong side of the fabric to prevent shine marks on rayon fabric.
Satin 3 Press on the wrong side of the fabric using a pressing cloth between the iron and the fabric. Do not steam or it will leave watermarks.
Sequined fabric 2 Do not iron or sequins can melt. Use light steam on the wrong side of the fabric to remove wrinkles.
Silk 3 Press on the wrong side of the fabric. Do not use steam which can leave watermarks on some silk fabrics.
Synthetic Blends 3 Keep the iron in motion at all times when ironing synthetic blends.
Velvet 3 Never iron velvet, steam only to remove wrinkles. For severe wrinkles, place on a plush white towel and press on the wrong side of the fabric with a light touch. After ironing, use steam only on the front side of the fabric to refresh crushed pile.
Woven Wool 3 Use a damp pressing cloth between the iron and fabric. Iron on the wrong side of the fabric to prevent snags and shine marks.
different types of fabrics
The Spruce / Taylor Nebrija  

How to Manage the Temperature of Your Iron

  • Separate wrinkled clothing and linens by type of fabric before you begin ironing. Start by ironing the items that require the lowest temperature, such as acetate and nylon. Then move to silks, polyester, and other synthetic fabrics like olefin. Finally, iron cotton and linen fabrics.
  • When switching to a lower iron temperature, give your iron at least five minutes to cool down before you use it again.
  • When in doubt about what temperature to use, start low and iron on the wrong side of the fabric with a pressing cloth. You can always move the temperature up gradually to remove tougher wrinkles and still prevent scorching. Removing scorch marks can be difficult but not always impossible if they are caught early and treated while light in color.
  • Starch can be used with any iron temperature setting but always be sure to use the setting that's appropriate for the fabric. Remember that even a little commercial or DIY starch goes a long way so there's no need to spray on a heavy layer.
person changing the temperature on an iron
The Spruce / Taylor Nebrija 
FAQ
  • What setting is 300 degrees on an iron?

    The 300-degree Fahrenheit setting on an iron is a medium setting at 2 or 3 on the dial.

  • What setting is a "cool" iron?

    A cool setting is 230 degrees Fahrenheit, which is a low setting at 1 on the dial. Note that a cool setting does not mean the iron is cool to the touch.

  • What is the low-temperature symbol on an iron?

    If you see a symbol with an iron and one dot inside the iron, that indicates you should iron the garment on a low-temperature setting (230 degrees Fahrenheit). The low-temperature symbol on the iron itself is usually indicated as the number 1 on the dial.