How to iron and steam kurtas, lawn and chiffon without damage

Heat settings by fabric

• Lawn, cambric and cotton: medium to hot, ideally while slightly damp. Iron printed lawn on the reverse to protect the print.
• Linen: hot, while damp. Press dark linen on the reverse to avoid shine.
• Khaddar and karandi: medium to hot for cotton khaddar and medium for karandi blends, on the reverse; too much heat can flatten the texture and leave shine on darker shades.
• Viscose and rayon: low to medium, inside out; a hot iron can leave shiny patches.
• Silk, cotton silk and raw silk: low to medium through a pressing cloth. Test steam first, as some silks water mark.
• Chiffon, georgette and organza: low, through a pressing cloth, or steam instead. Polyester versions can melt or go shiny if the iron is too hot.
• Net: very low through a cloth, or steam only.

The order for pressing a kurta

Pressing in a set order means you are not re-creasing the parts you have already done. Keep a spray bottle of clean water beside the board for lawn and cotton, and use a clean white cotton cloth as a pressing cloth for dark colours and delicate fabrics, because a coloured cloth can transfer dye when hot.

• Collar or neckline first, working from the points or edges inwards.
• Placket and cuffs, then the sleeves, laid flat along the seam.
• Yoke and shoulders, over the narrow end of the board.
• Body last, working round from one side seam to the other.
• Hang it up straight away on a proper hanger, and let it cool before you wear or fold it.

Embroidery, zari and delicate trims

Press embroidery face down on a thick, folded towel, from the reverse. The towel lets the stitches sink in rather than being flattened, so they keep their raised texture. Keep a hot iron well away from zari, sequins, stones, gota and plastic beads: metallic threads can tarnish or melt, and glue can soften. Steam lightly from a distance instead, or leave those areas alone.

Velvet should not be ironed on its face at all, because the pile crushes; our velvet guide explains how to steam it. For the washing that comes before ironing, see our care guide.

Steamer or iron?

A handheld steamer is gentler on chiffon, georgette, viscose and embellished pieces, and quicker for a dupatta. It will not give the crisp finish an iron gives to lawn collars and cotton hems, so many people use both. Hold the steamer a little away from the fabric, keep it moving, and let the garment dry before you wear it. Travelling? Hanging a kurta in a steamy bathroom lifts light creases, and our travel-friendly kurtas guide has more tips.

If a scorch or shine mark has already set, it may not come out. A favourite outfit can sometimes be rescued by replacing or restyling the marked part, so take it to a tailor who can see it and ask what is possible. If it cannot be saved, or you would rather start again, we can make a new outfit to your measurements: see custom stitching or start a quote.