Ironing service: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What ironing service is

Ironing service presses shirts, pants, linens and other garments to remove wrinkles, using the right heat and steam for each fabric. Garments are returned hung or folded, either at a shop or through pickup and delivery to the home.

Signs you need it

  • Dress shirts and blouses come out of the closet creased and you do not have time to press them
  • Linens, tablecloths or curtains need pressing for an event and are too large for home ironing
  • Silk, linen or wool pieces need careful pressing that you do not want to attempt yourself
  • You have a stack of ironing that keeps growing after each laundry load
  • Suits, pleats or formal wear need a finish that home steam does not give

What the pro does

  • Sort garments by fabric type and check the care label before any heat is applied
  • Test the iron temperature on a hidden seam or an inside hem for delicate fabrics
  • Press collars, cuffs, yokes and placket edges first, then the body of the garment
  • Use steam and a press cloth on delicate, pleated or sheer pieces to avoid shine or scorching
  • Hang shirts on hangers with the buttons closed, and fold linens so the creases do not reset
  • Check each garment for stains or damage before pressing, and report anything found to the customer

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Number of garments and how many are pressed by hand rather than on a press machine
  • Fabric type, since silk, wool, linen and sheer materials take longer than cotton
  • Complexity of the garment, such as pleats, beading, suit linings or layered items
  • Whether the service includes pickup and delivery to the home
  • Turnaround time requested, since rush orders may need more staff
  • Whether hanging, folding or packing for transport is included

What a written quote should spell out

  • The types of garments accepted and any items the service will not press
  • Whether pressing is done by hand, on a press machine or both, and why
  • How garments are returned, such as hung on hangers, folded or in a garment bag
  • The turnaround time and how rush orders are handled
  • Whether pickup and delivery are included, and the time window for each

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Do you press silk, wool and linen, and how do you test the heat setting
  • Will you tell me if a stain or damage shows up when you press
  • How do you handle pleats and beading so they keep their shape
  • Do you hang shirts or fold them, and what packaging do you use
  • What is your process if a garment comes back with a mark or a burn
  • What is your turnaround time for a rush order

Red flags

  • A service that presses delicate fabrics at a high setting without a test
  • No check of the garment label before pressing
  • Pressing over stains or set-in marks without telling the customer
  • No written policy for garments that come back damaged

What you can do yourself

You can iron basic cotton shirts and everyday linens at home using the setting on the care label. Call a professional for silk, wool, pleats, suits, beaded pieces and large linens, where the wrong heat or steam can shine, scorch or distort the garment.

Licenses and permits

Ironing service is not commonly licensed. Check with your state or local licensing agency for business registration that applies to a laundry or garment service in your area.

Ironing service questions

Will pressing remove a set-in stain?

Not always. Heat can set some stains further, so tell the service about any stain before pressing. Ask whether they treat it or leave it for you to decide.

Can you press a garment with a logo or print?

Usually yes, with a press cloth and a lower heat. Mention the print or appliqué when you drop the item off so the service can choose the right setting.

How should I store pressed clothes until I need them?

Hang them in a closet with room between garments so creases do not form again. Keep them in the garment bag they came in if you are traveling.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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