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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not iron DD’s school uniform?

185 replies

Rainallnight · 18/04/2021 20:05

DD is in Reception and this term they’re allowed wear those lovely gingham summer school dresses.

I don’t iron. I hate it. And I’ve had a weekend of drudgery.

But they really don’t look right at all, and I’m worried about sending her in looking like a scruff.

What do people do?

OP posts:
happymummy12345 · 18/04/2021 21:40

I iron everything, I can't stand un ironed clothes

BlueLobelia · 18/04/2021 21:41

@ShiningGonnaShine

I nearly started a thread about this kind of thing earlier this evening. My DD's summer dresses are fuckers to iron... They're the M&S stripey ones that say 'they only need a little press' in the description. Do they fuck.

I 'don't iron' either but these dresses are so horrendously creased when they come out of the wash that I just can't avoid it. And then they won't iron nicely - I literally can't get the creases out.

Any tips? Should I iron when they're still wet/damp?

I always iron wet and straight out of the washing machine. We do not have a tumble dryer though. But it makes it easier.
AccidentallyOnPurpose · 18/04/2021 21:41

I mean.. can you really tell?

To not iron DD’s school uniform?
Stellaris22 · 18/04/2021 21:42

The only people who would care/notice a 5 year olds dress has a couple of creases are parents. Children won't care and definitely won't notice.

Unless you're actively pointing it out or making remarks to your kids about it, kids won't be nasty about such an unimportant thing.

StripedLeopard · 18/04/2021 21:43

Yes, you can tell

RichTeaCheddars · 18/04/2021 21:44

Put it in the tumble dryer with dryer balls. Or partly dry it on the line/clothes airer and then finish off in the tumble dryer with balls.

nitsandwormsdodger · 18/04/2021 21:47

We buy all non iron
Wash and hang up
Never iron anything

WerkWerkWerkWerkWerkWerkWerk · 18/04/2021 21:47

"21:14BlueLobelia
WerkWerkWerkWerkWerkWerkWerk
I saw some no crease spray in Asda today, might give it a go as I loathe ironing also. Spray on washed clothes and hang up to dry. Think it was Lenor
Do these sprays affect the feel of the clothes in any way?"

Not a clue! Probably; I wasn't tempted enough to grab any but I'm thinking it may be worth a try at some point!

Crystal90567 · 18/04/2021 21:47

They looked nice on the hanger in the shop because they had been ironed.
Itll take you 5 mins. I always iron school uniform. It's hard enough for them in school without you making them look scruffy. Also teachers are very keen on suspecting neglect. Unironed clothes, uncombed hair...not a look I'd go for.

LaceyBetty · 18/04/2021 21:49

Also teachers are very keen on suspecting neglect. Unironed clothes, uncombed hair...not a look I'd go for.

You must be joking.

seven201 · 18/04/2021 21:50

My dd is in reception. I don't iron her uniform. I don't even hang it up. She comes home looking like she's rolled through a swamp so there's just no point. Maybe if there's a photo day I might bother.

Stellaris22 · 18/04/2021 21:50

Unironed uniform = neglect? Only on MN 🙄

Foolintherain · 18/04/2021 21:51

The creases will just drop out anyway. I don't ever iron.

AccidentallyOnPurpose · 18/04/2021 21:52

@Crystal90567

They looked nice on the hanger in the shop because they had been ironed. Itll take you 5 mins. I always iron school uniform. It's hard enough for them in school without you making them look scruffy. Also teachers are very keen on suspecting neglect. Unironed clothes, uncombed hair...not a look I'd go for.
Who said anything about hair?

Also clean but not ironed clothes are on nobody's radar.

getyourfreakon · 18/04/2021 21:54

I iron DD's clothes but never mine.

Lua · 18/04/2021 21:55

I don't iron. period. not even my dressy shirts or skirts.

I said this to a friend one day, and she keep staring at me.
She said: really, I can't tell.
I said: precisely.

You might spot in the first 10 minutes after someone dresssed up, but not after that.

Life is too short, and the planet is warming. Save energy and time. Just hang it carefully after washing and will be absolutely fine.

RoseMartha · 18/04/2021 21:59

Sometimes I did but not if I needed a quick turn around. If you hang it when it comes out the wash you are less likely to need to iron it.

youcancallmequeene · 18/04/2021 22:02

I would iron it too.

I don't think it's so much about whether the kids/parents notice, but about setting up the values and standards to your children for the importance of image throughout their lives. Wearing expensive clothes isn't important but looking smart and presentable is. People notice. It makes a difference.

Sure, there will be some on here so don't give a shit, but the reality is that people will look down on you for not making an effort and will prejudge you. You wouldn't go for an interview with wrinkled clothes and expect to make a great first impression. And those who think they would are deluding themselves. The first thing people notice is your clothing. It doesn't matter if it's Gucci or primark. If it's wrinkled it looks shit.

CommandoDog · 18/04/2021 22:03

I didn't iron them - life's too short

Strugglingtodomybest · 18/04/2021 22:04

Unless you're actively pointing it out or making remarks to your kids about it, kids won't be nasty about such an unimportant thing.

Exactly.

And no, you can't tell AccidentallyOnPurpose, or at least I can't, because let's face it, who cares really? A few creases in a child's clothing is hardly worth anyone's attention surely?

MrBond · 18/04/2021 22:04

I don't think creased clothes in isolation would be a cause for suspecting neglect for any professional. However, if the clothes were very obviously creased, I would probably notice, with my teacher hat on.

I wouldn't automatically suspect neglect, but I would wonder if the wheels were coming off at home a little. In isolation, very creased clothing is not a problem, but (donning my hard hat) it would encourage me to look a little bit closer in case there was anything else that might indicate that parents are struggling and may benefit from support.

GrolliffetheDragon · 18/04/2021 22:05

Also teachers are very keen on suspecting neglect. Unironed clothes, uncombed hair...not a look I'd go for.

Seriously? DS can go from looking neat to scruffy in the less than 10 minute walk to school...

Though I never iron anything except Hama beads.

Sometimeswinning · 18/04/2021 22:06

Also teachers are very keen on suspecting neglect. Unironed clothes, uncombed hair...not a look I'd go for.

Totally my 5 year olds look. I'm waiting for that call from school then 😂 idiot

Stellaris22 · 18/04/2021 22:07

I grew up with parents forcing me to project a certain image through how I dressed and looking a certain way.

Trust me, it's not something you want to force on your child. I'd want my child to focus on their education, not worrying about their appearance.

As for interviews as an adult, I'm fairly sure employers care about ability not how you look. DH got his professional job while having unironed clothes and scruffy hair!

BrokenDishwasher · 18/04/2021 22:09

@ShiningGonnaShine yeah! They’re not amazing, but I can’t iron for shit, and have low standards 😁 it does what I need so he looks smart for school, I literally use it five minutes before he gets dressed