Why some clothes stick to your iron: How ironing can ruin your favorite clothes

When you're ironing clothes, you may have noticed that sometimes the fabric sticks to the iron. 

It can lead to your clothes, and sometimes your iron as well, to become useless because of the stains, so you'll have to replace it.

This phenomenon occurs due to a combination of factors.

Heat

The iron's soleplate heats up to remove wrinkles from clothes. 

When the hot iron comes into contact with the fabric, it can temporarily melt or soften the fibers. 

This heat causes the fibers to become more pliable and susceptible to sticking.

Steam

Many irons have a steam function that releases bursts of steam onto the fabric. 

The steam adds moisture, which can make the fabric damp or wet. 

Wet or damp fabric is more likely to stick to the iron due to the increased surface tension between the fabric and the hot soleplate.

Adhesion

When the hot iron contacts the fabric, the softened or wet fibers can adhere to the iron's surface. 

This adhesion occurs due to the combination of heat and moisture, creating a temporary bond between the fabric and the iron.

Synthetic Fibers

Fabrics made from synthetic materials, such as polyester or nylon, are more prone to sticking than natural fibers like cotton or linen. 

Synthetic fibers have a lower melting point and can quickly soften or melt when exposed to high heat.
 

• Related news:
• iron
• ironing
• fabric
• materials
• clothing care
• 29 June 2023

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