Dull housekeeping post alert! Ironing board issues.

[isabellerossignol]

I always manage to end up with my ironing board cover getting all smelly - presumably the steam from the iron is making it damp and it isn't drying out quickly enough or something? And it gets stained.

But I can't just take the cover off and throw it in the washing machine because it has that foam backing that would disintegrate into little bits and go lumpy.

I don't want the waste of just repeatedly replacing the ironing board cover. What am I doing wrong? Aside from ironing in the first place...

Is it a mesh ironing board?

I would replace the cover.

I would replace the cover.

I do replace the cover but I'd need to be replacing it every few weeks and that's an awful lot of waste, I was hoping there was a better solution. Prevention rather than cure.

get one without foam backing that you can wash

what on earth are you doing that means it gets smelly in just a few weeks?

Is it a mesh ironing board?

Yes, it is.

I've just done a load of ironing and I felt underneath the ironing board and the foam feels all damp. I'm assuming that's probably normal though, since it was being blasted with steam for an hour.

My iron isn't leaking or anything, it's just coming from the steam.

what on earth are you doing that means it gets smelly in just a few weeks?

I wish I knew! I use filtered water or shop bought ironing water in the iron, and empty it between uses so it's not a stale water issue.

Is the underside of the board uncovered? You could dry that part with a tea towel and leave the board standing until it is dry

That's really odd; I've never heard of that happening. Do you use loads of steam, or that ironing spray, so the board is getting really damp? Maybe try leaving it stood up after you've finished for an hour or 2 to see if that helps to dry it out? Preferably in front of an open window.

I had years of crap ironing boards with covers that didn't always fit well until I gave in and bought an expensive one from Brabantia. Had it about 4 years now and it's still immaculate. Admittedly I don't iron loads but it literally does still look brand new.

www.amazon.co.uk/Brabantia-Titan-Oval-Ironing-Board/dp/B0018A1QMM/ref=asc_df_B0018A1QMM/?hvlocphy=1006656&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&psc=1&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvadid=214192173502&hvpone&hvlocint&th=1&hvpos=1o6&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&hvtargid=pla-386117515110&hvrand=17692159458654996227

Maybe that's the problem actually, I tend to fold it up and put it away in a cupboard as soon as I've finished so maybe it just isn't getting enough air to dry out properly. It is a very steamy iron actually, it works a treat but maybe that's the issue.

Ok, may be I need to splash out on a better quality cover, without the foam backing, and make sure to leave it to air properly.

I did not realise it was every few weeks.

Buy an ironing board cover that does not have the foam underside. Obviously this is an inferior way to back a cover. A towel cut to shape makes a good padding if you can't find one or want to reuse the cover after you wash it. Wash by hand and don't let the foam go down the drain. Let it dry before putting away. Empty the water in your iron and refill with fresh before ironing. Whatever smell is on your ironing board or in your iron is transferring to what you are ironing.