Ironing

[Nearlynotquite]

So, while we're on the subject of disgusting habits and cleaning bathrooms, can I ask, please, how you iron (properly)
And if you do it, why? I only iron school uniforms and work clothes, and then only if I must.

I've never ironed a thing in my life.

I stopped ironing years ago. I only purchase clothing items that don’t require ironing. The rare items that do are for special occasions and get sent out to be done.

I don't iron. Kids school uniforms get shaken and hung up straight from the dryer and look fine.

Oh and hours and hours of my childhood ironing my fathers work shirts. My parents finally realized they could send them to the cleaners ridiculously cheaply. Changed my life. That was when I vowed to never iron regularly.

Clothes hang better and feel softer, even for a bit of light steam. I fold a lot of the boys' stuff straight from the dryer but iron all of my clothes, including some of my pyjamas because they're more comfortable for it. A lot of my clothes can't be tumble dried, mind, so don't dry as soft.

Honestly life is way too short and full of other chores to faff about wuth ironing.

I've not ironed at all since leaving home apart from a handful of occasions where I've ironed a shirt for my DH for a wedding and I only ironed then because he has dyspraxia so finds it difficult.

In all honesty no one has ever commented on my disheveled appearance.

Yes I barely do it either. Only if something is very crumpled and it's necessary to be smart. Otherwise I really can't see the point (and also I think I must be very bad at it as things never look completely flat when I've finished) If the heat is very high and the steam iron is on it must then need airing.
I was just thinking about it today. Is it another hygiene thing? (Need MN answers from people who do it) Does ironing perhaps kill more bugs than washing alone?? Is this why people iron knickers and teatowels??
I'd love to know as it seems to me to be a waste of time.

Oh OK, so it's a softness thing pick
I'd never thought of it like that.

My iron only gets used when I’m sewing!

I was just thinking about it today. Is it another hygiene thing? (Need MN answers from people who do it) Does ironing perhaps kill more bugs than washing alone?? Is this why people iron knickers and teatowels??

IME it's just another way for MN to judge people as lazy/slovenly

I iron. I don't iron bedding, towels or underwear (but know people who do - crazies ), but I iron just about everything else.

I don't judge people who don't iron but for me, it's a requirement. I don't feel comfortable wearing unironed clothes and think my kids look scruffy if their clothes are creased.

I set time to do it, I watch some TV or box set of my choice, drink tea (or wine) and enjoy it.

I iron dhs shirts and the kids school stuff but nothing else.

and think my kids look scruffy if their clothes are creased.

I don't understand this argument. Surley any child who is able to move will get their clothing crumpled with a matter of minutes after putting it on and you wouldn't be able to tell the difference by the time they got to school or nursery.

Yes, @ProfMcGonigle I quite enjoy it in a funny sort of way, I just tend to feel like it's a bit of a waste of time and I could be doing something more important. If I do ironing, it's actually surprisingly soothing, as I only ever do it if I have nothing better to do, and I enjoy feeling smug.
I worked somewhere where they ironed bedding (I always managed to avoid those shifts) I just don't know how you'd do it without trailing it on the floor. Should bedding be folded before ironing? How do you avoid ironing in creases? I'd honestly love to know (I turned down a job I was offered because they wanted double size duvets ironed and I was embarrassed to say I don't know how to do it )

I iron. We don't have a dryer so everything is line dried and I don't use fabric softener. I do extra spins to help the clothes dry quickly but this leads to very creased clothes. Ironing obviously gets out creases but also softens up the crispy clothes. In summer it stops the pollen triggering hayfever for DD, DS2 and me and honestly I think ironed clothes look better. My sister doesn't iron, she says it's pointless because you can't tell but I can tell.

It used to be a hygiene thing. It kills lice and bed bugs. Also, probably helpful for tea towels/dishcloths.

Now it's a smartness thing, and I can't be arsed!

@Same4Walls

and think my kids look scruffy if their clothes are creased.

I don't understand this argument. Surley any child who is able to move will get their clothing crumpled with a matter of minutes after putting it on and you wouldn't be able to tell the difference by the time they got to school or nursery.

I disagree that any clothing is crumpled in a matter of minutes, however, I stated it's my preference to iron and I enjoy the activity so there's nothing to get

But I don't care if people can tell I haven't ironed my clothes.

I disagree that any clothing is crumpled in a matter of minutes

You must have magic children, what's your secret . Honestly I used to teach EYFS and they all came in looking equally crumpled.

I quite like the sight of neatly folded ironed laundry. My friend who irons everything always has laundry all around her kitchen waiting to be ironed. Looks messy and she seems to see laundry as a chore as a result. I'm genuinely thrilled at getting stuff washed, dried and put away. It makes me feel like a most excellent housekeeper.

I am appreciating the replies. Thank you.

I iron everything except bed sheets underwear and towels. I dont think the clothes are any more hygienic when they have been ironed, I just don't like the look of creased clothing. I actually quite enjoy ironing!

I think this is part of my problem @Same4Walls I iron things and they really don't look much better afterwards. The only tip I have gleaned (and it works) is hanging things up to air after they've been ironed.
I'd be very interested to read tips from professional ironing people
*scuttles off to consult Google...

DH irons his work shirts but nothing else gets ironed regularly in this house. I have a few tops and dresses that need it, but I tend to do them just before I want to wear them!

I only iron work shirts if I'm feeling benevolent or guilty. I avoid things that need ironing for myself so it's pretty rare and thanks to lockdown dp rarely goes into the office