How to Iron or Steam a Thobe in a Makkah Hotel Room

Read the care label for the recommended ironing temperature and whether steam is allowed. Cotton, polyester and blended thobes need different settings, and a temperature that suits one can mark another. If the label is missing, start at the lowest setting and test on an inside seam.

Only press clean, dry clothing. Heat can set sweat marks, perfume oil and other stains so they become harder to remove. If you see a mark, deal with it first instead of ironing over it.

Do not assume the hotel provides an iron, ironing board or steamer. Ask reception what is available and whether guests may use their own appliances. Follow the hotel's rules; this guide does not describe any specific hotel's facilities.

Use a stable, heat-safe surface. If no ironing board is available, a folded thick towel on a firm table can protect the surface, but check that the table can take the heat. Keep the cable away from walkways and do not let it hang where someone can trip over it.

Keep water away from sockets, and unplug the iron when you finish or leave the room, even briefly. Let it cool fully on a heat-safe surface out of reach of children before packing it away. Never leave a hot iron face down on fabric or bedding.

If you prefer not to iron in the room, our iron and fold service is 13 SAR/kg for pressing and folding clean clothes. It does not include washing. Pickup and delivery are always free with no minimum order.

Moving in this order means you do not crease areas you have already pressed. A slightly damp pressing cloth between the iron and the fabric can help protect dark or delicate thobes from shine, if the label allows.

If the iron leaves a shiny patch, lower the temperature and press on the reverse side. Stop if the fabric changes colour or texture.

A handheld steamer can relax creases on a hanging thobe without needing a board. Hang the garment on a sturdy hanger away from walls and furniture, hold the steamer upright and move it slowly down the fabric. Keep the steam head away from your hands and face.

Steam does not suit every fabric, so check the label first. Do not steam near smoke detectors or electrical outlets, and ask the hotel whether personal steamers are allowed. Empty and unplug the steamer after use and let it cool before packing.

Steaming in a bathroom after a shower can help a little with light creases, but it will not give a sharp finish on a collar or cuffs.

Whichever method you use, give yourself time. Rushing just before leaving for prayer is when burns, scorch marks and forgotten appliances are most likely. Pressing the next day's thobe in the evening, once it is clean and dry, keeps the morning simpler and safer.

Hang pressed thobes with space between them so they do not crush each other. Fold along natural lines if you must pack them, and place them on top of the suitcase. For keeping white thobes bright over a long stay, read how to keep a white thobe white in Makkah.

If you find sweat lines before pressing, treat them first. See removing sweat stains from thobes and abayas, because ironing over them can make them harder to remove.

Keep a worn-clothes bag separate from pressed garments so a clean thobe is not creased or marked by other items.

Sending thobes out saves time when you have several to press, the room has no safe surface or you are unsure about the fabric. Express laundry is 25 SAR/kg with about 3 hours for suitable orders after confirmation, and regular washing is quoted on WhatsApp.

We are open 24/7; pickup in about 15 minutes is approximate. Handover is only at the main lobby or the ground-floor entrance, never guest rooms or guest floors. We are independent and not affiliated with any hotel.

When booking, tell us how many thobes you are sending, whether any have special care labels or delicate embroidery, and the time you need them back. Keep stained thobes in a separate bag and mention the stain, because iron and fold presses clean clothing only and a stained garment needs a washing quote first. Count the thobes before handover and again on return.

If you leave Makkah soon, plan pressing a day early rather than on the morning of departure. A thobe that is already pressed and hanging is one less task when you are packing, checking out and travelling with family or a group.