Can Iron Scorch Marks Be Removed?

Have you ever touched a garment or fabric with too hot of an iron? It's easy to scorch, but can be difficult to get the scorch marks out. Here are some tips for making those marks disappear!

Scorching is caused by pressing with an iron that is too hot for the fabric, or by pressing too long in one spot. This created the brownish-yellow discoloration on fabrics containing natural fibers such as cotton, linen, silk, wool and rayon.

Synthetic or man-made fabrics such as polyester, acetate, acrylic and nylon can also be scorched if they're combined with natural fibers. Quite often, man-made fabrics melt instead of discoloring, producing a shiny look or completely melting a hole in the fabric.

Experiment using one of the following remedies in an inconspicuous area of the garment or on a fabric scrap to see which will work best. Note: Treat the mark as soon as possible after scorching for best results.

For a light scorch mark, brush gently with a soft brush or dry sponge to remove the discoloration. If the fabric is washable, wash as usual using detergent.

On white fabrics, try sponging the area with a diluted solution of hydrogen peroxide and water. This solution won't damage fibers, but it can remove color, so only use it on whites. Don't use it on nylon fabrics.

A solution of water and all-fabric or oxygen bleach (1 quart water to 1/4 cup bleach) can be used to scorch the soaked garment. Wash as usual to remove the solution.

In cases where the scorch cannot be removed or the fabric is melted, try covering the area with an appropriate embellishment such as embroidery, stenciled or stamped design, or a pocket.

If you scorch wool fabric by using an iron that is too hot, rub a nickel on the scorch mark. The scorch mark will disappear. Be careful to use a clean nickel on light colored fabrics. See more tips at Sewing Tips.

See some more ideas for removing scorch marks at Google.