Step-by-step instructions on how to smooth out wrinkled paper with an iron or a press

Any paper product creases easily and is short-lived. Important documents, banknotes or book pages may be accidentally damaged. To resuscitate them, you need to know how to properly smooth crumpled paper using the most effective, safe and reliable methods. Often a press and an iron are used for these purposes, however, in difficult cases, professional equipment may be required.

Leveling under the press

The easiest method is to use a press. It lies in the fact that the paper naturally straightens under the weight. As a press, you can use thick books or any other heavy object of suitable size.

It is necessary to perform the following actions:

1. Dampen a sheet of crumpled paper with water. Best of all - distilled, which does not contain any substances that can negatively affect the quality of the paper. Use a handy sprayer to spray the leaf evenly with water. It should be held about 30-40 cm from the paper.
2. Alternatively, you can dampen a soft terrycloth towel with water, wring it out and straighten it carefully, then place it on the paper.
3. Whichever method of dipping you choose, it is necessary to act with extreme caution so that the paint or ink on the sheet of paper does not dissolve.
4. Now smooth the wet sheet with your hands and place it between felt patches, paper or cloth towels or other materials that can absorb moisture.
5. After that, a heavy press should be placed on the sheet of paper. The minimum hold time is twelve hours. During this entire period, you need to check the condition of the paper. Change absorbent material when wet. It will take two to four days for the crumpled sheet of paper to dry completely, depending on the degree of humidity.

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Ironing

No less popular is the use of an iron. Wet and dry ironing methods are used to improve the condition of crumpled paper.

Dry

When you choose this method, you need:

1. Place the crumpled paper on the ironing board and straighten it with your hands.
2. Cover the top with a piece of thick fabric.
3. Turn on the iron by setting its temperature to the minimum. You can not heat it strongly, because the sheet of paper will become brittle or turn yellow from overdrying.
4. Iron the sheet several times through the fabric, and after a minute check its condition. If any creases and bruises remain, repeat the steps, increasing the iron temperature slightly. The iron should be carried out on the clean side of the paper, where there are no inscriptions and images.

For paper sheets coated with ink or watercolor, only dry ironing can be used.

Wet

If the creases on the paper are very pronounced and the sheet itself is very hot, it is recommended to use the wet ironing method:

1. Sprinkle a sheet of paper placed on an ironing board with distilled or filtered water from a spray bottle.
2. Cover with a slightly damp towel or cloth.
3. Set the iron temperature to minimum and gradually increase it.
4. Perform some smoothing iron.

How to iron safely

Smoothing crumpled paper with an iron is one of the most common and, at the same time, risky ways. It is therefore necessary to observe the following precautions:

1. Make sure the iron works properly and matches the wattage and electrical outlet you are using.
2. Initially, set the minimum temperature so that the sheet does not dry out and the paints do not melt.
3. The rise in temperature of the iron must be gentle and gradual. You cannot bring it to the maximum level.

If the paper is wet

Wet sheets of paper become shaggy due to dulling and the formation of waves and curls. Additionally, mold is likely to occur in the absence of prompt drying and restoration measures.

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In such situations, you must act immediately:

1. Go through the wet sheets of paper.
2. Place them on a flat surface in a well-ventilated area.
3. To dry naturally - open the windows.
4. If it is necessary to speed up the drying process, turn on the fan.
5. Place blotting paper, towels, felt pieces or other absorbent materials on the bottom and top of each sheet. Replace them with new, dry ones as they become damp.
6. Keep indoors until dry.

For wet photographs and glued laminated sheets, there is another drying method:

1. Soak in a container with distilled or filtered water.
2. Carefully separate from each other.
3. In a room with good air circulation, lay a dry towel on a flat surface. Lay out photos and paper face up.
4. Allow to dry completely.

When to contact a specialist

If paper documents become damp or crumpled, which is of particular value or importance, it is recommended to seek the services of specialists - restorers or archivists.

The use of professional equipment makes it possible to restore:

• old documents with fragile texture;
• sheets of paper with watercolors;
• any paper product for which home ironing methods are ineffective.

Drying and smoothing books

The drying of the book pages is carried out in several stages. It needs:

1. Absorb moisture with a paper towel or soft white towel.
2. Carefully separate the pages with a sheet of paper towel between them.
3. Leave the book half open in a well ventilated room until it is completely dry.

In addition, you can dry and flatten the book by exposing it to cold.

As in the previous case, you must first remove moisture using absorbent materials. After that, place the book in a plastic bag leaving some air in it and seal it tightly. In this form, send to the freezer for a week.