* Remove the collar bones and read the care label before washing.

* Separate whites and light colours from darks.

* Pre-treat stains before loading the washing machine. Pre-soak dirty clothes for 30 minutes in the washer, a large bucket or a sink.

* Load the washing machine distributing clothes evenly and loosely. Never load the machine more than three-quarters full, so clothes can move.

* Pour detergent into the washing machine using the recommended amount. Too little detergent won't clean well, too much won't rinse out. Never use more than one additional product - fabric softener or bleach - at a time.

* Select the right water temperature. Don't wash shirts at more than 40°C.

* Finally, select the washing cycle: choose delicates with a light spin to retain some dampness. Avoid tumble-drying your shirt if possible.

The 7-Point Ironing Plan

* Begin with a well-laundered, damp shirt. For best results, cotton fabric should be almost wet. If necessary, spray the shirt with water, roll it into a ball, and keep it wrapped in a towel for a few minutes. Try using spray sizing instead of starch - you'll end up with a shirt that is neat but not stiff. Allow the sizing to be absorbed into the fibres for a couple of minutes before ironing.

* Make sure you've removed the collar bones.

* Using a heavy iron on a temperature and an ironing board with a terry cover, start with the cuffs. Fold the cuff in half, line up the cufflink holes and iron a crisp crease along the fold.

* Iron the sleeves next. Carefully spread one sleeve on the ironing board, smoothing out any creases. Starting at the top of the sleeve, iron from the bottom seam towards the top, making a definite crease along the top seam. As you get down to the cuff, carefully iron between the folds of material. Repeat this process on the other side of the sleeve.

* Fit the shirt smoothly over the end of the board and iron the yoke. Iron in sections working your way down while using your hand to straighten the fabric.

* Next, iron the front panels. Position the shirt so that the tip of the ironing board fits into the top of the armhole and iron the seam. Then iron the rest of the front of the shirtfront in sections, smoothing the fabric across the ironing board. Be sure to iron between each of the buttons. Repeat on the other side.

* Finally, iron the collar. Spray first with a little sizing, pull it straight and iron each side. Fold the collar down with care, and iron again along the seam.

Hanging your shirt

* When you hang your garments, make sure that they are evenly spaced out and easily accessible. They should drape naturally, rather than be bunched up together; this will prevent them from creasing and allow the air to circulate for proper ventilation.

* Make sure your shirt is completely buttoned up in order to keep the collar in place and prevent the neckline from creasing.

Note: plastic tubular hangers are known to offer minimal support and should be used for lighter items. Try padded, shaped and traditional suit hangers for best results. The bigger the hanger, the more support your shirts receive, thereby helping to prevent unsightly creases. Try to avoid wire hangers altogether (those you get from your local dry cleaner). They can also rust and may eventually stain your shirts.