Fabrics and care · 8 October 2026 · 3 min read
How to iron a lined kameez without melting the lining
How to iron clothes with lining: set the iron for the more delicate layer, press the lining first, then the outer through a cloth, so a lined kameez stays smooth.
InspirationIron for the weaker layer
Set the iron for whichever layer needs less heat, which is usually the lining, press the lining from the inside first, then press the outer fabric through a pressing cloth. Raise the heat only for parts where the lining is not underneath.
The reason is simple. A lined kameez is two fabrics that may want very different temperatures. A lawn or cotton outer is happy with a hot iron, while a polyester or acetate lining can go shiny, wrinkle into ripples or even melt at the same setting. Heat passes straight through the outer layer, so ironing the outside at full heat can damage the lining you cannot see.
Find out what the lining is
Look at the care label first; many list the lining separately, for example outer 100% cotton, lining 100% polyester. If there is no label, assume the lining is synthetic and start at the lowest setting. Cotton linings, often used under lawn, can take more heat, but they may still be paired with a delicate outer such as chiffon. Our guides on whether a kameez needs lining and lining for hot and cold climates describe the common choices.
If you are unsure what the dots on the label or the iron mean, what the dots on an iron mean decodes them.
Step by step
Work on a padded board, with a clean white cotton cloth to press through and a spray bottle of water to hand.
- Turn the kameez inside out and set the iron to the lining’s setting.
- Press the lining lightly, keeping the iron moving. Press seams flat with the tip rather than the whole soleplate.
- Turn it right side out and lay the pressing cloth over the outer fabric.
- Press the outer through the cloth at the same setting. For cotton or lawn, dampen the cloth slightly; the extra steam does the work that more heat would otherwise do.
- Slide the board between the layers wherever the lining hangs free, usually at the hem and sometimes inside the sleeves. Now you can press the outer on its own, a little hotter if its label allows.
- Press unlined parts last, such as sleeves, a dupatta or the trousers, at their own correct setting.
- Hang the kameez straight away and let it cool before you wear it, so new creases do not set.
Lining already shiny, rippled or puckered?
A lining that looks shiny after ironing has had its surface flattened. A light shine sometimes softens if you hold a steam iron just above it and let the steam lift the fibres. A glazed, hard or stuck patch has melted, and that does not recover; the only fix is new lining.
Ripples or puckers that appear after washing are a different problem. The outer fabric and the lining have shrunk by different amounts, so they no longer lie flat together. Ironing cannot correct that. It is one reason to pre-wash both fabrics before a garment is made; see should you pre-wash fabric before stitching.
For a new kameez, tell us how you like to wash and iron your clothes, and ask about the lining in your quote. We confirm what is possible on your fabric and design before cutting. Have a look at custom stitching and start your quote when you are ready.
Common questions
Can I use a steamer on a lined kameez instead of an iron?
Yes, and it is often the gentler choice. Steam both layers from the inside and the outside, keeping the head moving and slightly away from synthetic linings. A steamer will not give a crisp edge on a cotton collar, so you may still want a quick press there.
Why did my lining go wavy after ironing?
Heat and steam can stretch or shrink a lining slightly, especially a light polyester one pressed while damp. Press it dry at a low setting, moving along the length of the fabric rather than across it, and let it cool before you hang the garment.
Do I need to iron the lining every time?
Not always. If the lining is smooth after washing and hanging, press only the outer through a cloth at the lining’s setting. Lining that is creased will show through a fine outer fabric, though, so give it a quick press when it needs one.
