Ironing Workwear Looks Easy — Until It Isn’t
Most people know how to use an iron. But ironing workwear — particularly garments with embroidery, performance fabrics, or technical coatings — requires a bit more care than a cotton dress shirt. Getting it wrong can cause irreversible damage: scorched fabric, flattened embroidery, melted synthetic fibres, or destroyed waterproof membranes.
Here’s what’s safe and what to avoid.
General Ironing Rules for Workwear
Always check the care label before ironing any workwear garment. The label gives you the maximum iron temperature rating for that specific fabric. Exceeding this rating is the most common cause of ironing damage.
Temperature guide:
- One dot (cool, max 110°C): Synthetic fabrics — polyester and polyester blends. The majority of performance workwear falls in this category.
- Two dots (warm, max 150°C): Poly-cotton blends, most standard workwear fabrics.
- Three dots (hot, max 200°C): 100% cotton and linen. Rarely appropriate for workwear.
Never Iron Directly Over Embroidery
This is the most important rule for embroidered workwear. Direct iron contact on embroidery flattens the raised stitch structure that gives embroidery its premium appearance. It can also cause synthetic thread to melt slightly, fusing it to the fabric and creating a rigid, dull area where the embroidery should be proud and textured.
Always iron garments inside out, with the embroidery face-down on a smooth pressing cloth or towel. The embroidery sits in the fabric pile and is protected from direct contact while the garment is pressed. If you need to iron the area around an embroidered logo from the outside, use a damp pressing cloth between the iron and the embroidery.
Softshells and Performance Fabrics
Most softshell jackets and performance outer layers should not be ironed at all. The outer shell of a softshell is a laminated or bonded fabric system — applying heat destroys the lamination and removes the water repellent finish permanently. Instead, hang softshells and smooth any creases by hand immediately after washing while the fabric is still slightly damp.
Fleeces: Don’t Iron Them
Fleece fabric is heat-sensitive. An iron on any setting will flatten the pile permanently, leaving shiny, hard patches that cannot be restored. Fleeces don’t crease in the same way as woven fabrics — if they come out of the wash slightly uneven, hanging them at room temperature for a few hours resolves the issue naturally.
Steam as an Alternative
A handheld garment steamer is an excellent alternative to an iron for most workwear. Steam relaxes fabric fibres without direct contact pressure or excessive heat, making it safe for synthetic fabrics, embroidered garments, and performance fabrics alike. For businesses managing a team uniform, a garment steamer is a worthwhile investment.
For more workwear care guidance, contact our team or browse our workwear bundles.