How to Get Wrinkles Out of a Shirt Collar and Cuffs

The shirt body looks fine, but the collar has a wavy ripple along the edge and the cuffs are creased from the drawer. That is the part people notice first. To iron a shirt collar, remove any collar stays, press the underside first, work from the points toward the center, then do the top side; for cuffs, press the inside first and then the outside, and finish with the collar stand. Below are the steps, how to use steam and the pressing plate together, and how to avoid shine on dark shirts.

What you need

• A steamer or iron with a flat plate. A handheld steamer and iron such as the RosyIron SteamerPro does both: steam on the hanger, then turn the PivotPress head 90 degrees and press on its ceramic plate.
• A table covered with a folded towel, or an ironing board.
• A mesh pressing cloth for dark shirts and delicate fabrics.
• Optional: a padded steamer glove to hold behind the collar while you steam.
• Distilled or filtered water for the tank.

How to iron a shirt collar, step by step

Check the care label first and pick the matching setting. On the SteamerPro, Cotton is the setting for most cotton shirts; if the label says cool iron, choose Silk. Then follow these steps.

Step 1: Remove the collar stays and unbutton

1. Slide out any collar stays. Pressing over them can leave an outline in the fabric.
2. Undo the collar button and, on a button-down collar, the two small buttons at the points.
3. Open the collar out flat so the underside faces up.

Step 2: Press the underside first

1. Lay the collar flat on the towel with the underside up.
2. Give it a short burst of steam to relax the fabric.
3. Press with the plate, starting at one point and moving toward the center. Then do the same from the other point.

Working from the points inward pushes any small ripples to the middle of the collar, where the tie or your neck hides them, instead of into the tips where they show.

Step 3: Turn it over and press the top side

1. Flip the collar so the outside faces up.
2. Press again from each point toward the center, lifting and lowering the plate rather than dragging it.
3. Check the points. If they curl, press them flat for a moment longer.

Step 4: Press the collar stand

1. The stand is the band that sits against your neck. Open it out and press it flat on both sides.
2. Work around the curve in short sections so you do not press creases into it.

Step 5: Fold the collar and let it set

1. Fold the collar down along its original line.
2. For a soft roll, steam the fold lightly rather than pressing it hard. For a sharper look, press the fold gently with the plate.
3. Put the stays back once the collar has cooled.

How do you iron shirt cuffs?

Press cuffs inside first, then outside. The inside pass smooths the layers so the outside comes out flat without pressing marks.

1. Unbutton the cuff and open it out flat. For French cuffs, unfold them fully.
2. Press the inside of the cuff, working from the edges toward the middle.
3. Turn it over and press the outside, going around the buttons rather than over them.
4. For French cuffs, fold them back along the original line and press the fold lightly.
5. Press the small sleeve placket above the cuff while you are there.

Can you steam a collar instead of ironing it?

Yes, for a soft, relaxed collar steam alone is often enough, especially on casual shirts. Hang the shirt, button the top button so the collar holds its shape, and steam along it from just above the fabric.

The trouble is that a collar is light and floppy, so it moves away from the steam. A padded steamer glove solves this: slip your hand behind the collar and steam against the glove, so the fabric has something to rest on. For a crisp business collar, though, you still need the plate. The best result usually comes from both: steam to relax the fabric, then press with the plate to set it.

For the rest of the shirt, from the yoke to the sleeves, our guide on how to steam a dress shirt covers the full routine.

How do you avoid shine on a dark shirt collar?

Use a pressing cloth or press on the inside. Shine happens when heat and pressure flatten the surface of dark or synthetic fabric so it reflects light.

• Press the underside of the collar and the inside of the cuffs, where any shine will not be seen.
• On the outside, lay a pressing cloth between the plate and the fabric. A mesh cloth lets you see the collar edge while you work.
• Use the lowest setting that works for the fabric and avoid holding the plate in one spot.
• If a collar already looks shiny, steam it from just above the fabric to lift the surface a little.

Common collar mistakes

• Pressing from the center out. This pushes wrinkles into the points, where they are most visible.
• Ironing over collar stays. They can leave a ridge or outline.
• Too much steam on a fused collar. Most dress shirt collars have interfacing inside. A short burst and firm pressing works better than soaking it.
• Sliding the plate. Dragging stretches the edge and causes the wavy ripple you were trying to fix. Lift and press instead.

FAQ

Why does my shirt collar ripple after ironing?

Usually because the plate was dragged along the edge or the fabric was pressed from the center out. Press from the points toward the middle, lift the plate between presses, and press the underside before the top.

Should you iron the collar before the rest of the shirt?

Yes. Most people start with the collar, then the cuffs and sleeves, then the body, so the small parts are not creased again while you work on the larger ones.

How do you get a crease out of a collar without an iron?

Steam it while it hangs, with a steamer glove or your hand behind the collar for support, then smooth it with your fingers and let it cool. A 2-in-1 steamer and iron lets you press it flat on a table afterward.

Can I use steam on a dark collar?

Yes, steam held just off the fabric does not cause shine. The shine comes from pressing with the plate, so use a pressing cloth or press on the underside.

Collars and cuffs are small, but they make the whole shirt look pressed. With a 2-in-1 steamer and iron like the RosyIron SteamerPro, you can steam the shirt on its hanger and press the collar on a table in a few minutes, with no ironing board to set up. It comes with free shipping and 30-day returns.