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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

I don't iron - should I?

115 replies

Changedagain8766789 · 07/06/2022 22:07

Obviously if it's something like a shirt I do. But that is fairly infrequent. Day to day washing, I don't. I feel like the kids look scruffy sometimes with creased clothes. I do fold nicely and tumble dry when cannot line dry. But they get so dirty and messy that clothes are washed so frequently!

So:

YABU - you should iron most stuff.

YANBU - don't bother.

OP posts:

ventreàterre · 08/06/2022 02:30

I hate ironing because I've never been any good at it, so I will only do it for special occasions, such as weddings or funerals. We no longer purchase clothes that seem likely to wrinkle badly.

SnowyPetals · 08/06/2022 03:29

I iron most tops and trousers as well as pillow cases. They look much better and I can definitely see the difference. I don't find it a chore personally, I listen to a podcast while I do it.

Topseyt123 · 08/06/2022 03:30

What is ironing? What is an iron?

I don't iron either. Life's too short for that shit. I'm not even sure where my iron is as I haven't used it in so many years.

TulipCat · 08/06/2022 03:32

MatildaTheCat · 07/06/2022 22:56

Iron or don’t iron but don’t ever delude yourself it isn’t noticeable.

ironed clothes look better. Period.

ironed bedding feels lush.

Im not a martyr and cut plenty of corners but don’t understand the mn hatred of ironing. Surely cleaning is far more physically tiring but not many people are willing to say they proudly never bother to clean their bath?

Agree. The difference is noticeable, don't know why people on MN pretend it isn't!

DockOTheBay · 08/06/2022 03:54

namechangetheworld · 07/06/2022 22:19

Agree with PP that not owning an iron seems to be a bit of a badge of honour on Mumsnet. I can't be bothered ironing stuff like bedsheets or pillow cases (to my DM's horror) but do iron most of our clothes, because we'd look like bags of shit if I didn't.

85% on here have said YANBU. Do you think 85% of people look like "bags of shit"? Or at least let's say 50% of people as a Conservative estimate.

Maybe its a "badge of honour" or maybe its actually true given the sheer number of people here who have said it. Do you think 85% of people would bother to lie on an anonymous forum? Why? More likely they lie in the real world where they worry about being judged for not ironing, when in fact the majority don't.

allboysherebutme · 08/06/2022 04:00

I don't like ironing, so have an ironing lady only send clothes, my mother used to iron T towels, towels, my socks, flannels everything, I don't send them things. They get tumble dried. X

Nat6999 · 08/06/2022 04:15

I haven't ironed since 2013, I don't even know where my iron is. Everything is put away straight out of the dryer.

Goatinthegarden · 08/06/2022 04:17

I iron everything except underwear and gym clothes. Each to their own, but I really can’t stand the unironed look. I have a decent washing machine, shake out clothes and line dry and I still think all clothes look (and feel) better with an iron.

I don’t love ironing, but it’s one of those chores I just get on and do.y

A580Hojas · 08/06/2022 04:36

I work, shop, cook, clean, do the laundry, dry it and put it away. These are all things I'd rather not have to do. I'm not adding yet another mindless chore to the list tyvm.

silentpool · 08/06/2022 05:07

I iron what needs to be ironed, clothes wise. I do iron bedding as I enjoy ironed sheets. I bought a steam generator iron to make that easy though. I tend to do a whole basket at a time so don't end up ironing very often.

AuntieMarys · 08/06/2022 05:40

I actually enjoy ironing...my own clothes. Dh does his own.

Lagattolove · 08/06/2022 05:48

No I don’t. I line dry where ever possible or airers in the house then bung in tumble dryer for five minutes with something still wet to steam then fold or hang.

Magicandspiders · 08/06/2022 05:54

Only iron shirts and uniform. Very occasionally a dress if it is that horrible material that needs ironing.

Sparklingbrook · 08/06/2022 06:51

Maybe its a "badge of honour"

from this thread it looks like that badge is for the people that claim to never iron.

DS2 came down to go out at the weekend and he hadn’t ironed his top. He looked like an unmade bed, I suggested he ironed it, but he said it was fine. 🤷‍♀️ The new generation of non ironing people are already here.

Darbs76 · 08/06/2022 06:54

I used to iron every Sunday, but I don’t bother now. I do iron things if I’m going to a special event but otherwise don’t bother. Hang shirts on hangers etc and they look fine

KangarooKenny · 08/06/2022 06:55

I don’t iron since the kids stopped wearing school shirts.

violetbunny · 08/06/2022 06:55

I have a handheld garment steamer, I haven't ironed a single thing since I got it.

Mistressofnone · 08/06/2022 06:58

I don't iron either and can't recall a time I have walked past someone in the street and thought their T-shirt could use a good iron.

Sometimes if the kids have collars that need sorting out I'll put the GHDs over them.

I remember my mum spending hours at the ironing board as kids. She doesn't so much anymore. Think of all the time saved!

liveforsummer · 08/06/2022 07:04

Agree. The difference is noticeable, don't know why people on MN pretend it isn't!

Because it really using unless the clothes have actually been screws up in a heap before wearing. It might be noticeable when you first put it on but by the time you leave the house the result will be much the same. I remember having a conversation with my sil about it and she was horrified to hear I don't iron, you have to she said. The. I asked her if she's ever looked at us and noticed we were creased or untidy or if any of us looked creased or untidy now. Did our clothes currently look any different to her family's clothes. It was a little lightbulb moment where she realised in fact no there was no difference at all. She'd never observed any of us looking creased, untidy or like 'bags of shit'.

The badge of honour accusation thing is weird, it's just people saying whether they iron or not and a substantial number of people don't.

tothemoonandbackbuses · 08/06/2022 07:07

I iron somethings. I think it’s a combination of line drying and cotton clothes as I have some clothes that never need ironing. I think if I chose clothes differently I could get away without ironing
I’m going to try the tumble drier steaming method though!
my mother still irons and sits clothing. It baffles her that I can’t air them as I have no airing cupboard.

Userforever · 08/06/2022 07:11

I'm in my mid 60s and have not ironed for years.

Pootle40 · 08/06/2022 07:11

I iron stuff if it needs ironed. Would look pretty awful otherwise.

LadyWhistledownsPen · 08/06/2022 07:14

I don't iron full loads of clean washing as I hate ironing. I only iron when I want to wear something that's too creased to get away with it. I can't stand to look scruffy in creased clothes. DH does his own ironing but I will iron DS uniform when he starts school in September

Sparklingbrook · 08/06/2022 07:15

I don't iron either and can't recall a time I have walked past someone in the street and thought their T-shirt could use a good iron

I can recall many times looking at social media when I have thought that people's clothes could do with a good iron, and it's generally pointed out in the comments (not by me I'm not a monster)

liveforsummer · 08/06/2022 07:19

If people look obviously creased it's because the clothes have been crumpled after washing. Clothes hung or stored flat straight from the dryer or stretched when hung out to dry will not be any different to ironed clothes that have been worn for an hour with the exception of certain fabrics

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