Keeping your clothes wrinkle-free and crisp always makes a good impression. However, it’s easy to make mistakes and end up with shiny spots, even if you’re careful. We suggest simple and quick fixes for shiny clothes that you can do at home.
1 Why Do Clothes Get Shiny When Ironed?
Several factors can cause your clothes to become shiny or develop unsightly stains that affect their appearance and reduce their lifespan. Here are the three main culprits:
High temperatures can cause shiny spots on clothes
Firstly, it’s the iron’s temperature. Different fabrics have varying heat tolerances, and if you iron for too long, the fabric’s fibers and properties can change, leading to shiny spots or yellow stains. Adjust the temperature according to the fabric you’re ironing to avoid this issue and prolong the life of your clothes.
Secondly, over-ironing can cause the same problem. When you apply high heat and pressure for an extended period, the iron’s surface remains in contact with the fabric for too long, resulting in shiny spots or yellow stains. This can also happen if you iron thoroughly initially but find the clothes wrinkled again later.
Leaving the iron on the fabric for too long can cause scorch marks
Lastly, don’t forget to unplug the iron when you’re done! It’s dangerous to leave it plugged in, and it can lead to fires or explosions. If you catch it in time, you might only end up with scorch marks and a ruined garment.
In summary, be careful when ironing, and always check the care instructions on the clothing label. Each garment has specific instructions, so follow them to keep your clothes looking sharp and avoid the issues mentioned above, saving you money on replacements.
2 How to Fix Shiny Clothes
If your clothes do end up with shiny spots or stains, the remedy will depend on the fabric type.
For Cotton Clothes
Cotton clothes include t-shirts, shirts, and other items that tend to wrinkle after washing and require ironing to look neat. If these clothes develop shiny spots, you can use a simple remedy to fix them.
Use salt to fix shiny spots on cotton fabric
Sprinkle a little salt on the shiny spot or scorch mark, then gently rub it in so that the salt penetrates the fibers. After that, either hang the garment in the sun for about five minutes or wash it, and then let it air dry. The shiny spot should be gone.
For Velvet Clothes
If your velvet garment has shiny spots, wash it immediately and vigorously scrub the affected area.
For velvet fabric, scrub the shiny spot and then use a needle to lift the fibers
Next, use a needle to lift the fibers in the affected area until you see new, fluffy fibers. Then, dampen a cloth with water and place it over the new fibers. Iron in the opposite direction of the old nap until the shiny spot disappears.
For Silk Clothes
Silk is a valuable and delicate fabric that requires special care. It is one of the most challenging fabrics to maintain if you want it to last, as it is prone to burning and shininess due to its natural fiber composition.
For silk fabric, apply a solution of NaOH to the shiny spot
If your silk garment accidentally gets a shiny spot, quickly follow these steps to fix it:
- Mix NaOH with water and apply the solution to the shiny spot or scorch mark.
- Wait for the solution to dry; the shiny spot or scorch mark should flake off.
- Finally, use your fingers or a tool to gently scrape away the dried powder, and your garment will look as good as new.
For Synthetic Fiber Clothes
For synthetic fiber fabric, place a damp cloth over the shiny spot and iron until it disappears
If your synthetic fiber garment has a shiny spot, don’t worry. Unplug the iron and follow these steps:
- Find a soft cloth, dampen it with clean water, and place it over the shiny spot.
- Iron the cloth continuously for 4 to 8 minutes; the shiny spot will disappear.
For Other Fabric Types
For other fabric types, gently scrub the shiny spot with a brush until it disappears
For fabrics not mentioned above, use fine-grit sandpaper to gently rub the scorched area. Then, use a soft brush to lightly scrub the spot until it vanishes.
The above guide explains why clothes become shiny and how to fix this issue for different fabric types. We hope these tips help you quickly and easily resolve shiny spots on your clothes.