To iron or not to iron - that is the question

LucyLandRover said:

I iron my sheets but it makes no difference as they still look crumpled.

Steam is what temporarily reactivates the threads so the heat smoothes them out.

If you don't have a good steam iron then use a spray bottle of water, give the fabric a quick misting of water first and them move the iron steadily over it so the water all turns to steam and you should notice the creases fall out.

I used to work with my wife in a fashion business and we had to transport cases of clothes to exhibitions and they would be creased when we got there. Ironing boards are impractical to travel so we used a postable steamer - effectively a bucket with a hose feeding a spray nozzle with a heating element in it - the water would be turned into steam and you just point the steam at the creased areas and they dissapear in seconds.

I'm thinking of getting one for home instead of my iron as it does actually work better in my experience.

Christine20 said:

once I sorted out a slightly creased lapel on my jacket with hair straighteners!

Wow, does that really work! I also have straightners I got 20 years ago, this sounds like a good use for them!

I haven't ironed things for years! Can't see the point. If you fold things nicely and put them in the airing cupboard they look just fine! My mother used to iron everything - even socks and pants!. Wore out the carpet with her ironing board up every evening. Throwback to the 50s I think... By contrast, once I sorted out a slightly creased lapel on my jacket with hair straighteners!  Did the job though! 

I iron my sheets but it makes no difference as they still look crumpled. I have no idea what I am doing wrong as the heat setting is correct, maybe my technique? Or possibly making a mess trying to fold them when I have dyspraxia! 

I have ‘non-iron’ cotton bedding that launders well without ironing if I use the tumble dryer. If I dry the bedding outside, I need to spend a little more time shaking it out after removing from the washing machine before hanging on the line.

I rarely iron anything else except some of my smarter tops. 

Generally if clothes are smoothed out after washing they look fine.

If you have a tumble dryer and space to hang things while they dry, there is little or no need to iron anything. We threw out our ironing board months ago, as it always got in the way of opening the 'cupboard under the stairs'. We bought a small folding replacement that sits on a table-top, just for weddings and the like, which might require a little ironing.

I very rarely iron. The only thing I'll iron is t-shirts that get wrinkled in the wash. I try to buy materials that don't but for the odd few that do, I will iron them. Generally only in the warmer months though. I don't see the point in the winter when I'll have a hoodie and/or coat over the top. 

Some might see this as lazy but I struggle with housework so I concentrate my energy on the tasks that are to do with cleanliness and hygiene instead.

I think these things are personal preference.

I've never heard of anyone ironing shoe laces. I really can't see the point in that.

I've never been able to bring myself to iron, only if it's a specific item that really require it, and I've not owned anything like that in years.  
Both my parents iron, my dad does the sheets too. My Mother-in-law ironed everything, so my husband was a little disappointed I wouldn't and tried it himself but soon gave up on that. 

I am particular that when things come of the line or the dryer, they are folded gently and layered so they don't end up scrunched, and my husband is a meticulous folder -he can do fitted sheets beautifully and redoes anything I do badly, so the clothes still look good for not ironing.

The most use the iron has had is when the kids got those beads you have to iron together to bond them!

I don’t iron anything, the ironing board is hanging in the garage and gone rusty.
Most of my clothes are made from material that doesn’t crease much, in the winter most stuff is tumble dried and then folded while it’s still warm. The only item I won’t fold is fitted sheets, they are the devils work. To be honest I spent most of my time in old work clothes. 

I used to skip ironing bedclothes when I was single as there was little chance anyone would ever see them - they are not very creased as I hang them up to dry rather than tumble drying them.

Jeans I don't normally bother with unless they look creased, gym t-shirts/shorts are a material that does not crease and I do iron shirts and cotton t-shirts.

As a rule of thumb if other people will see it then I want to look presentable and will iron these items if they are creased.

I guess it will depend on whether appearances are important to you - it is best to be yourself and own the self image.

Ironing shoe laces! I think thats a bit OCD personally.

I don't iron bedding, I did when I worked at the retreat/B&B, you sort of have to in those cirumstances

In summer I wear a lot of linen and that has to be ironed, but the rest of the year I don't and never underwear, I don't see the point, and who wants creases up their creases!

I've not ironed anything for years. 

I used to iron shirts and trousers when things were formal and people wore suits. But these days I have less formal clothes and they are just hung up to dry. It is not perfect but good enough.

I've never ironed bedclothes or other items. It takes time for no benefit 

I haven't ironed anything for years. I only buy clothes that don't crease much, and dry them on hangers on a clothes rail. I've never ironed linens - if you buy polycotton or polyester bedding it doesn't need ironing.