How not to iron?

Spendless

Since we got together, dh has done 99% of the ironing. Whilst dating he made the mistake of telling me that he found it therapeutic so I decided to help his therapy.

Sounds ideal but the reality is it piles up cos it's not done on a regular basis. DH workload is going to increase a lot over next few months, so I want to take on the ironing, or rather I want to learn how to put the laundry away without ironing and without it looking creased.

This is a money saving question as last time I decided to give a hand to catch up, I paid for an ironing service instead. :shhh:

Any tips anyone? I grew up with a mother who ironed and still does, towels, underwear, bra straps and tights -yes really :rolleyes: so am a complete novice at this.

loobs40

I have sky+ so I record programs that last about 90 minutes, usually detective murder mystery stuff and when I have to do the ironing I watch the saved programs

Seems to make the ironing go quicker

[Deleted User]

I'm also a bloke that finds it a bit therapeutic. I get an hour a week to watch TV and iron whilst not being bothered about anything else. Bliss.

Tips:
Hang shirts up after washing
Ideally iron damp
If they're bone dry, fold them up and put them in a plastic bag, spray some water in there and leave for a little bit.
Get a trouser press - no more ironing trousers

nearlyrich

I don't iron, I used to pay someone when I had two children in formal school wear and my OH had collar and tie for work.

I do the washing when I have time to deal with it so it doesn't get too dry and creased etc.

If you use a TD and pull the clothes out and fold or hang them straightaway you don't need to iron. We have a gas powered TD which is cheaper to run than an electric one and although the OS regulars would not approve I find it an acceptable cost to have some of my free time to do what I want.

I don't even iron jeans these days, if they are a little creased I put them on the radiator for a short time and the heat gets the creases out.

fannyadams

Flick and Fold, although not whilst damp or you get funny mould things growing.:eek:

hang t-shirts, shirts and trousers up on hangers as they come out of the washing machine.

I gave up ironing when I stopped having to do it for a job (Army), and I don't look like a scruffbag.

Edinburghlass_2

I have things to iron in the summer more than the winter but like nearlyrich, I smooth out things before hanging on the radiator and/or airer (no tumble dryer) and then its only the odd blouse or dress that needs ironing and yes that ironing basket is still full from the summer time, I just find something else to wear

LilMissEmmylou

give everything a REALLY good shake before you hang it on the line. Wont leave it 100% crease free, but good enough for me lol

nearlyrich

I think ironing baskets are responsible for a lot of creases everything that goes in the wash has to be dried and put away we don't have anywhere to store dry washing.

Spendless

We have a TD (electric) and we do TD an odd item to wear without ironing but have never done it with a full load.

We also have a trouser press -given to us by someone who'd used it once. DH always wanted one as he uses them in hotels when he stops away but hasn't used ours regularly. Having said that we have had a big tidy up this w/end and the TP has now got a more suitable home. I hadn't realised you could use them instead of the iron. That would help with ds's school trousers.

tsstss7

nearlyrich wrote: »

I don't iron, I used to pay someone when I had two children in formal school wear and my OH had collar and tie for work.

I do the washing when I have time to deal with it so it doesn't get too dry and creased etc.

If you use a TD and pull the clothes out and fold or hang them straightaway you don't need to iron. We have a gas powered TD which is cheaper to run than an electric one and although the OS regulars would not approve I find it an acceptable cost to have some of my free time to do what I want.

I don't even iron jeans these days, if they are a little creased I put them on the radiator for a short time and the heat gets the creases out.

I only ever iron clothes for really formal occasions and then only when necessary. The rest of the time I wash then tumble dry and fold from the machine while warm. Luckely they have phased out shirts at ds's school so don't even have to do these any more :rotfl:

Savvy_Sue

When DS1 saw a toy iron at Nursery, he thought it was a boat! :rotfl:

But you've had all my advice given already - except for things like tea towels and sheets etc: if you don't have a TD, get them out of the washing machine ASAP, Shake, Smooth and Fold. Yes, smooth the creases out, fold them and leave them half an hour or so. Then hang them up or out. Being left smooth and damp gets some more creases out.