to not own an iron?

[FawnFrenchieMum]

Just read a thread on whether to iron school shirts or not. I never iron school shirts or anything else for that matter.

We used to have an iron but very very rarely got used, DH decided to take it on holiday (no idea why, I don’t iron at home so not sure why he thought I would on holiday) and left it in a cupboard. I’ve never replaced it.

I hang stuff straight from washing & drying. Never looks creased. If something looks bad, stick it on and blast the hair dryer at it.

DH doesn’t wear shirt & tie to work, I may need to reconsider if he did.

Anyone else not iron?!
YABU - of course I iron!
YANBU - no need to iron, wash, hang & wear

@violetbunny

People without irons - what do you do if you need to dress smartly? Like if you're going to a formal event of some kind?

None of my formal dresses either need to be or can be ironed!

I find that clothes last longer when they are ironed and folded, so yes, I do iron. I also wear a lot of cotton and linen what need to be ironed.

There's no point ironing. I tried it when I was in my early twenties but gave up. You can literally iron an item for 45 minutes and it look no better than before you started. Pointless.

Haven't had one for years. Completely pointless, smooth fold and hang.

I wonder if iron and ironing board sales are falling?
Maybe they'll be something our grandchildren will look at in museums?

@User478

How do you do Hama beads?

This is the only reason I own an iron

I iron school uniforms, bedding and a small number of other items. Just because I prefer the look (and feel) of something when it's been ironed (and it fits neater in the cupboard or drawer when flattened!!)
YANBU for not ironing if you dont feel its necessary.

I've not ironed in quite a few years.

@HarrietsChariot

Youre doing it wrong. Have you given up on any other domestic appliances too?
Why all the emotive language and feeling around irons?

However I do iron to wear, rather than ironing everything. Wardrobe is a bit chaotic and it would get wrinkled if I ironed before. Getting dressed = pick something/s, iron (2 mins), wear. I iron DS uniform the night before, 2 mins trousers, 2 mins front and back and arms (both sides) of jumper.

I iron on the bed. Ironing boards are a very bad design and not fit for purpose.

@tellittomyhead

I use my iron about twice a day and also spend about 4 hours out of my weekend ironing all my clothes and bedding. I find those who don't bother to be very lazy - and common.

😂

I never use an iron. I don't care that my Egyptian cotton sheets go on creased as the creases go out really quickly anyway

Ha yes the only time I've use my neglected iron is for Hama beads

My mum used to iron most things when I was growing up, and my 81yo gran still irons everything, including socks and my grandad's underpants! So I grew up thinking it had to be done.

Moving out, and realising that actually clothes can look fine without ironing, was possibly one of the most freeing experiences of my life.

my 81yo gran still irons everything, including socks and my grandad's underpants!

Was ironing originally developed to kill fleas and other parasites? I think I heard that once. In which case this sort of hangover makes sense (although not anymore).

Iron or don't iron, your preference. There shouldn't be judgement either way.
I wear a lot of cotton and linen though (in a hot classroom with sweating teenagers) and I personally think it looks better ironed.
However, with the prevalence of polyester and that stuff made from recycled plastic bottles, maybe ironing will become obsolete and irons seen only in museums?
Anyway, until then, I'll keep ironing. I don't mind it as a chore.

@Kendodd

my 81yo gran still irons everything, including socks and my grandad's underpants!

Was ironing originally developed to kill fleas and other parasites? I think I heard that once. In which case this sort of hangover makes sense (although not anymore).

Yes, and it helps to dry cotton and linen items more quickly. If they're ironed slightly damp, they dry quickly and smooth.

I own an iron, though it only really gets used for pressing seams when I'm sewing. I've got a couple of dresses that do need ironing, so they just don't get worn very often.

It's one of those chores that exacerbates my joint pain, and doesn't give any real benefit, so I just don't.

I guess with tumble drying and modern fabrics it's a lot easier to get away without ironing most things. I do iron grown up's clothes that are improved by it and a few small household things, we don't usually tumble dry so there are peg marks etc. I use my iron for sewing/dressmaking too.

I don't know why I'm surprised at the bunfight but that's MN. Wash everything! Wash your sheets every day! Every towel you touched! Ick! but don't iron anything, nooooo, only idiots waste time and electricity ironing.
Heartened to see 38% ironers. Come on, don't hide.

@Kendodd

I don't iron. Load of rubbish, outdated skill.

I have heard ironed sheets are lovely to sleep on though. I'll have to stay in a hotel to find out though.

Why is it an out-dated skill? I don't tumble dry anything as I prefer the smell of line dried clothes & sun is a great bleaching agent for any lingering stains. Some things I can get away with not ironing (eg leggings) but most things need it. Work shirts, t shirts, jeans etc.

@marioduck

Why do creases matter?

In what way does any item of clothing need ironing? Why?

I wish people would pause to consider that occasionally before going off on one calling people "lazy" for being smart enough to recognise it is a totally ridiculous cultural concept.

Why is it lazy not to do something that is totally unnecessary?

Trust me - I've worn a crumpled shirt to work and people do comment. It's a sad but true fact that people do judge on appearance, particularly in a professional context. I have stopped wearing make up to work though!

@violetbunny

People without irons - what do you do if you need to dress smartly? Like if you're going to a formal event of some kind?

Drycleaners they iron clothes as well. And much better than I could, tbh

@Recessed

I can't believe people iron bedding. Completely fine if you enjoy the process and ironing is your hobby but if you don't enjoy it, then what a waste of life! Just take it from the dryer before it's cooled and put it straight on the bed and there's no creases, but even if there were a few why on earth would it matter? So odd.

Tumble drying bedding rather than mine drying it is more odd to me! Nothing like a lovely line-dried, freshly ironed pillow case ☺️

@Recessed

Sorry, but I think you can always tell those people that don't iron........

You really can't. Unless someone crumples their clothes into a ball and shoves them in a drawer after washing, or perhaps in a formal work environment as suits/shirts do tend to need it, but most other fabrics nowadays really do not need to be be ironed. My MIL always looks immaculate, really takes pride in her appearance and is so well put together - she doesn't iron and you would never ever know.

How have cotton, silk, wool & linen changed? Surely linen always needs ironing at the very least.