Dale Davidson/Demand Media

If you like your shirt collars clean and stiffened, then you need to learn the technique of ironing a shirt to make the collar stiff. It takes a few extra minutes at the ironing board, but if you are going for that crisp and professional look, it is a must. You might need to practice a few times, but once you get the hang of it, you'll never want to leave the house without a stiff collar again.

Dale Davidson/Demand Media

Plug the iron in and allow it to heat up. You do not need to have your steam reservoir filled.

Dale Davidson/Demand Media

Lay the shirt on the ironing board with the inside of the shirt facing down and the collar lying flat. Run the heated iron over the shirt, pressing firmly on the shirt collar as it lies flat on the ironing board.

Dale Davidson/Demand Media

Give the shirt collar a short blast of canned starch. You should hold the can about 10 inches away from the shirt and give it short, two-second bursts.

Dale Davidson/Demand Media

Run the iron over the starched area as the collar still lies flat on the board.

Dale Davidson/Demand Media

Set the iron down. Pick up the shirt and crease the collar as you would wear it. Fold it down and press onto the ironing board.

Dale Davidson/Demand Media