Kapdon ki care — ironing & fabric tips

Silk ka dupatta ho ya georgette ki saree, delicate fabrics par galat iron ek second mein shine mark ya jala hua patch chhod deta hai. The good news: a few simple habits make ironing them safe.

1. Check the label and start low

Always read the care label first. Most irons have a "Silk" or "Synthetic" setting — that is the lowest heat, and it is where you should start. If there is no label, treat the fabric as delicate and keep the heat low. You can always increase heat; you cannot undo a burn.

2. Iron inside-out

Turn the garment inside-out before ironing. This protects the shiny face of silk and satin, and keeps prints, zari and embroidery away from the hot plate.

3. Use a press cloth

Place a thin cotton cloth — an old cotton dupatta or a clean handkerchief works — between the iron and the fabric. It spreads the heat evenly and prevents the glossy "shine marks" that appear on silk, polyester and dark fabrics.

4. Slightly damp, not wet

Silk irons best when it is very slightly damp. Do not spray water directly on silk — water drops can leave spots. Instead, dampen the press cloth lightly, or iron while the garment is still a little damp after washing.

5. Press, don't rub

On delicate fabrics, lift and press the iron gently instead of sliding it back and forth. Rubbing stretches fine weaves like chiffon and georgette and can pull threads.

Quick guide by fabric

• Pure silk: lowest heat, inside-out, press cloth, no direct water spray.
• Chiffon & georgette: low heat, press cloth, press gently — these stretch easily.
• Satin: low heat on the reverse side only; the front shows marks quickly.
• Polyester & nylon: low heat — synthetics can melt or turn shiny.
• Velvet: never press the pile directly. Steam lightly from the back or hang it in a steamy bathroom.

Test first

Not sure? Try the iron on a hidden spot — inside hem ya seam allowance — before doing the whole garment.

Ghar pe time nahin hai? PressWali picks up your clothes from home, presses them according to fabric, and brings them back — usually within 24 hours.

Most irons today have a steam option, but steam is not right for every fabric. Kaunsa kapda kis tarah press karna hai, yeh samajh lo toh kapde zyada crisp bhi lagenge aur zyada chalenge bhi.

What steam does

Steam adds moisture and heat together. The moisture relaxes the fibres so creases come out faster, especially on thick or natural fabrics. That is why steam works so well on cotton and linen.

When to use steam

• Cotton shirts, kurtas and bedsheets — steam removes deep creases quickly.
• Linen — wrinkles heavily; high heat with plenty of steam works best.
• Denim and thick trousers — steam helps get sharp creases.
• Wool — use steam with a press cloth, never press directly.

When to iron dry

• Silk — steam and water drops can leave marks. Iron dry on low heat with a press cloth.
• Polyester, nylon and other synthetics — low heat, dry, to avoid shine and melting.
• Zari, sequins and heavy embroidery — iron dry from the reverse side, with a towel underneath so the work does not flatten.
• Printed fabrics — iron dry and inside-out to protect the print.

No steam iron? Use a damp cloth

A regular dry iron can handle cotton just as well if the fabric is slightly damp. Sprinkle a little water, roll the garment for a few minutes, then iron. Ya phir ek geela patla kapda upar rakh ke press karo.

Garment steamer vs iron

A handheld garment steamer is good for a quick refresh — sarees, dresses and suits that are already clean and only lightly creased. For crisp collars, cuffs, trouser creases and that properly pressed look, an iron on a board still does the job better.

Short version

Natural, thick fabrics (cotton, linen, denim): steam. Delicate or synthetic fabrics (silk, polyester, embroidered work): dry and low heat, from the back.

PressWali sorts your clothes by fabric before pressing, so each piece gets the right heat. Free pickup and delivery in Chandigarh, Mohali and Zirakpur.

Doorstep ironing kitne ka padta hai? Here are PressWali's current rates for Chandigarh, Mohali and Zirakpur, with a few examples so you can estimate your bill before booking.

PressWali rates

Minimum order and pickup

Pickup and delivery are free on orders of ₹100 or more. For orders below ₹100, a ₹20 pickup charge applies. You pay at delivery, by cash or UPI.

Example bills

• One person, one work week: 5 shirt-trouser pairs = 5 × ₹19 = ₹95. That is under ₹100, so ₹20 pickup applies — total ₹115. Add one more shirt (₹10) and the total becomes ₹105 with free pickup.
• Couple, one week: 6 pairs + 3 women's suits = ₹114 + ₹69 = ₹183, free pickup.
• Family, one week: 8 pairs + 4 suits + 6 single pieces = ₹152 + ₹92 + ₹60 = ₹304, free pickup.

Do I need to count my clothes?

No. Aap ginti mat karo — our staff counts the clothes at your door, and the final price is confirmed before delivery.

Items not on the list?

For anything not covered above, message us on WhatsApp at +91 88473 99262 before booking and we will confirm the rate.

Rates are current as of October 2026 and may change; the latest prices are always on the PressWali homepage.

Ethnic wear is often the most expensive part of the wardrobe — aur sabse jaldi kharab bhi hota hai agar dhyaan na rakho. These habits keep kurtas, suits and sarees looking new for longer.

Cotton kurtas and suits

• Wash dark and printed cotton inside-out in cold water so colours do not fade.
• Wash new coloured suits separately for the first two or three washes — kai baar rang nikalta hai.
• Dry in shade, not harsh direct sun, to protect colour.
• Iron while slightly damp on medium-high heat, inside-out for prints.

Embroidered and zari work

• Never iron directly on embroidery, mirror work or zari.
• Place a folded towel on the ironing board, lay the garment face-down on it, and iron from the back. The towel lets the embroidery sink in instead of flattening.
• Use low to medium heat and no steam on metallic zari.

Silk sarees

• Dry clean or gentle hand wash only, as per the label.
• Iron on the silk setting with a cotton press cloth; avoid spraying water directly.
• Iron the pallu and border from the reverse side.

Chiffon and georgette sarees

Low heat, press cloth, and gentle pressing — these fabrics stretch if you drag the iron. Pleats ke liye saree ko halka sa pin karke press karo.

Storing sarees and heavy suits

• Wrap silk sarees in a soft cotton or muslin cloth, not plastic — fabric needs to breathe.
• Refold sarees along different lines every few months. Ek hi fold pe saalon rakhne se fold line pe kapda kamzor ho kar phat sakta hai.
• Keep zari away from damp walls and moisture so it does not tarnish.
• Store only clean clothes; old sweat and food marks attract insects.

Shaadi season ya roz ke suits — PressWali presses kurtas, suits and sarees with fabric-appropriate heat. Women's suit (kurta, salwar, dupatta) is ₹23 per set, with free pickup and delivery in Chandigarh, Mohali and Zirakpur.

Sabse pehla rule: never iron over a stain. Heat sets most stains into the fibre and makes them permanent. Treat the stain first, wash, and only then press.

Chai and coffee

• Rinse the stain from the back with cold water as soon as possible.
• Rub a little liquid detergent into the spot and leave it for 10–15 minutes.
• Wash normally. Avoid hot water at the start — it can set the milk and tannin in chai.

Haldi (turmeric)

• Scrape off any curry or paste first. Do not rub — it spreads the yellow.
• Rinse from the back with cold water, then work in liquid detergent or dish soap.
• For white cotton, dry the washed garment in direct sunlight — sunlight fades haldi stains noticeably.
• Haldi can take two or three rounds; repeat before ironing.

Oil and ghee

• Blot extra oil with a tissue — do not rub.
• Sprinkle talcum powder or cornflour on the stain and leave it for 20–30 minutes to absorb the oil, then brush off.
• Apply a drop of dishwashing liquid (it is made to cut grease), work it in gently, and wash in the warmest water the fabric label allows.

Check before you iron

After washing, hold the garment up to the light. If you can still see the stain, treat it again instead of ironing — once pressed, it is much harder to remove.

For silk and delicate fabrics

Do not scrub silk, chiffon or zari work at home. Blot gently with cold water and take it to a dry cleaner.

Sending clothes to PressWali? Ironing se pehle stain hatana zaroori hai, so if any piece has a stain, please tell our staff at pickup so they can keep it aside.