Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Husband and "ironing" his shirts with the shower 🙄

81 replies

Balaur · 04/12/2020 13:26

Instead of getting out the ironing board and iron (which lives in our bedroom), he hangs his shirt up in the shower and leaves the shower running for 10 minutes while he makes coffee. Then turns it off and has his coffee. Shower back on to actually have a shower. This annoys the shit out of me. It seems lazy and completely energy inefficient. He has also flooded the bathroom several times when the plug has not been draining well. And no, it does not make for a crisply ironed shirt but he doesn't give a shit about that either! Aibu?

OP posts:
VeganVeal · 04/12/2020 16:43

Why aren't you ironing them for him?

MenaiMna · 04/12/2020 16:47

Don't you have a hook on the back of the door to hang it (the shirt on a hanger) on? I have never in my long life of caring too much about textiles while making laundry more efficient (ok, I'm lazy) have I hung a garment IN THE SHOWER. It just needs to be IN THE BATHROOM! And if someone takes too long running water in the bathroom I won't just shut off the boiler, I'll turn off the light as well. (And if that doesn't get results the cooking timer goes off continuously just inside the door but out of reach of the shower).

Original poster
Balaur · 04/12/2020 17:00

@VeganVeal

Why aren't you ironing them for him?
Because the shower is, apparently.
OP posts:
Original poster
Balaur · 04/12/2020 17:02

I'm in awe of you types who shut off the boiler and electricity and whatnot. Maybe I can just toss the plugged in iron into the shower while he's in there and screech "That'll learn you!". And then divorce him.

OP posts:
Nottherealslimshady · 04/12/2020 17:19

That trick only makes sense if you're showering. Its wasteful to run the shower when you're not in it.

thevassal · 04/12/2020 17:40

using the shower (while he's in it!) to remove creases rather than ironing = makes perfect sense and I do it myself, although it never really works.

but without being 'that person,' when people are literally dying for want of clean water, to thoughtlessly waste that much water, plus electricity, that often, would make me a bit sick, to be honest. Yeah most of us aren't perfect when it comes to the environment/saving money, but when there is an equally convenient solution available by just doing it while he showers, (or multiple solutions if you include buying non ironed tops, or sending them out to be ironed which would probably cost you less than the cost of water and heating for ten minutes every day), I would be really off put by such deliberate waste.

IcedPurple · 04/12/2020 17:47

I've often used this trick when I'm travelling and don't have an iron - however I do it while having a shower! I certainly don't let the water run for 10 minutes to avoid taking out an iron. YANBU.

tappingintherain · 04/12/2020 17:54

using the shower (while he's in it!) to remove creases rather than ironing = makes perfect sense and I do it myself, although it never really works.

Thanks for saying this because I've been wondering if it actually works. Never heard of this and was getting excited thinking of finally "ironing" a jacket and a couple of shirts that I've been too lazy to steam for a while now.

If it will works, that'll be perfect and i'll give it a go next time I shower! I think it will take a few showers to get them looking wearable though.

Respectabitch · 04/12/2020 17:55

I totes do this when something is a bit creased and I don't have time or can't be arsed to iron it. But while I'm in the shower. Not a special shower for the garment. It doesn't even work that well anyway! It's just about good enough for a synthetic that's a bit creased, but it's no substitute for actually ironing a cotton shirt.

I'm plumping for the "cut the hot water" suggestion :) and definitely be careful with that crease spray, there's silicone in it. An old flatmate and I once got a bit too liberal with it whilst ironing our work shirts and spent the entire rest of the weekend sliding around the flat in our socks and giggling.

tappingintherain · 04/12/2020 17:58

OP, sorry I may have missed this but which part annoys you - ironing/steaming the shirt with the shower instead of using the iron or running the shower twice or both?

IcedPurple · 04/12/2020 17:59

Thanks for saying this because I've been wondering if it actually works. Never heard of this and was getting excited thinking of finally "ironing" a jacket and a couple of shirts that I've been too lazy to steam for a while now.

In my experience, it doesn't really work. It's better than nothing if you're travelling and have no iron, but it's not going to get deep creases out. Also, if the steam is sufficient to get out the creases, it also means your shirt or dress ends up pretty damp!

JoeCalFuckingZaghe · 04/12/2020 17:59

@VeganVeal

Why aren't you ironing them for him?
She’s not his fucking maid I’m guessing. Plus presumably he has functioning hands and arms and no impaired motor functions. But we couldn’t have the poor little men folk doing their own ironing could we, heavens above.
tappingintherain · 04/12/2020 18:01

Also, if the steam is sufficient to get out the creases, it also means your shirt or dress ends up pretty damp!

I was actually thinking this and also wondering if that is why OP's husband steams the shirt first to give it time to dry before he has to wear it?

madcatladyforever · 04/12/2020 18:01

This kind of nonsensical bullshit is why I live alone.

drtyminded · 04/12/2020 18:03

Get one of these, a bit extravagant but saves any ironing

www.johnlewis.com/lg-styler-s3bf-steam-clothing-care-system/p4918235

Original poster
Balaur · 04/12/2020 18:04

@madcatladyforever

This kind of nonsensical bullshit is why I live alone.
Sensible.
OP posts:
Original poster
Balaur · 04/12/2020 18:05

I'm not buying him any kind of streaming gadget because I know HE WOULDN'T USE IT! he's already too lazy to use an iron.

OP posts:
Girlyracer · 04/12/2020 18:17

What a disgusting waste of energy and money.

DubbinDobbin · 04/12/2020 18:59

This was annoying just to read about. Stupid routine that doesn't even work. But he is an adult and entitled to be annoying stupid person I suppose.
It's like he's misread SHIT SHOWER SHAVE as SHIRT SHOWER SHAVE.
Maybe you could get him the correct words for Christmas. A bit like LIVE LAUGH LOVE etc

Wheresmykimchi · 04/12/2020 19:02

The lack of iron aside...

Why doesn't he just do it while he's in the shower?

formerbabe · 04/12/2020 19:03

My dh hasn't had to iron an item of clothing for over a decade...gonna show him this thread so he appreciates me more Grin

user1493494961 · 04/12/2020 19:04

I'd just leave him to it.

EnglishRain · 04/12/2020 19:06

I'd buy him a handheld steamer for Christmas. Kind wife that I am!

Zerrin13 · 04/12/2020 19:09

Christ alive what a bloody fiasco! All this frustration and annoyance and wasting of water and money! How long does it take to iron a shirt? Not bloody long if its been on a hanger since it was taken out of the washing machine. Also if its removed from the machine as soon as the cycle finishes and given a good shake it won't get too creased making ironing quick and easy. A good fabric conditioner also helps to make ironing easier. At the end of the day it wouldn't be worth the battle to me. Just get the board up and iron it for him.

AddisonM · 04/12/2020 19:18

Tell me more about these handheld steamers 🤔