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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think people that routinely iron have far too much time on their hands?

227 replies

Wrinkyclothes · 19/02/2023 19:02

Do people really still routinely iron their clothing?

The keyword being routinely. I am known to iron for events, or if I have a fussy top requiring attention or the kids need to look smart. But do people actually iron everything? Why??

OP posts:
mondaytosunday · 19/02/2023 19:53

I don't but my late husband needed to be smart and our cleaning lady ironed his shirts. My mum ironed EVERYTHING (underpants, the lot). I don't know if she enjoyed it or what. My friend says it's an excuse to get away from the others and watch Bargain Hunt

magicthree · 19/02/2023 19:54

Wrinkyclothes · 19/02/2023 19:46

I'm just concerned that the ironers out there don't realise that if they don't iron, things look ok, because they've never given not-ironing a chance.
😅

Having worked with people who never ironed their work uniform shirts I am here to tell you that you are wrong, some things don't look ok. It was very easy to spot the non-ironers amongst us.

Also, many of us prefer not to wear man made fibres and are more than happy to pay the price of having to iron them.

Toddlerteaplease · 19/02/2023 19:55

I iron everything!

magicthree · 19/02/2023 19:55

Should have said, I'm not judging, just pointing out the facts.

fooyangcake · 19/02/2023 19:56

I don't own an iron. The last time I ironed something was over 10 years ago.

Ihaveawonderfulpartner · 19/02/2023 19:57

Ooh. I love ironing and iron every day I'm not in work. Iron everything that has been washed I find it really relaxing and like to watch tv while I'm doing it. I can spot non ironed clothes a mile off and always think it looks a bit scruffy. Love freshly ironed bedding on mine and the kids beds.

LemonJuiceFromConcentrate · 19/02/2023 19:58

I can’t think of anything worse than getting into a bed with creased sheets

^I mean, okay, we all like what we like, but this strikes me as … extreme

Nannyfannybanny · 19/02/2023 19:59

This is the second ironing is pointless thread. At least there are more "ironers" on here. I find stuff line dried gets more wrinkled. I didn't have too much time on my hands. I worked Ft nights, nursing had 4 DKs. Sunday night in front of the TV,was ironing time
I don't wear polyester. You could see who didn't bother to iron their (nursing) uniforms. Who can afford to use a tumble dryer,and aren't they bad for the planet. I Used to work as a home help,did other people's ironing ... course I got paid for it.

PurpleButterflyWings · 19/02/2023 19:59

Agree. I haven't ironed anything for about 10 years now. DH has whinged a bit about a couple of things (of his) being a bit creased. I say - without even looking up from my magazine/laptop, 'you know where the iron, and ironing board is. He says nothing, and oddly NEVER goes to get the iron, and ironing board. He wants his stuff ironing, he just doesn't want to do it himself.

AllFadestoBlack · 19/02/2023 20:07

I'd love to have time to iron every week like I used to! I'd watch TV/netflix or listen to a podcast and feel like I was actually getting something done. Laundry is my nemesis.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 19/02/2023 20:07

Today I had to iron a shirt for my 9 yo to wear to a party and it was the first time I’ve ironed for many months. Don’t intend to make a habit of it!

14 yo can do their own ironing thank goodness!

StephanieSuperpowers · 19/02/2023 20:07

I iron, even pants. I started after having DD. I just wanted everything to be nice and as right as I could get it.

It's a habit now. I just do it.

I do iron sheets but just because I think the heat of the iron releases the scent of the bed linen, which I like.

I don't have a dryer, otherwise I probably wouldn't bother as much.

DappledThings · 19/02/2023 20:08

Because folding clothes that are fresh out of the dryer and having to swuash them into the drawers seems like more work to me than ironing and folding into neat piles as I go.

I do one session a week, takes about 2 hours and I listen to podcasts or watch TV. So basically what I would be doing otherwise but doing a chore too.

I only clean the bathroom about once a fortnight though and think people who do much more than that are also wasting their time so we all pick and choose our chores.

Ireallycantthinkofagoodone · 19/02/2023 20:08

I am on my own now, and retired. I don’t have a huge amount of clothing that needs ironing in the winter, but lots more with my summer clothes.
I brought up a large family though, and so there was loads of ironing - several hours’ worth a week. Not a particularly enjoyable task, but there’s no way I would have had my family wearing un-ironed clothing.
Maybe there are fabrics nowadays that don’t need as much attention, or perhaps using a tumble dryer helps. Whatever.

One thing that really puzzles me with your post OP, is the query about “too much time on their hands…..”. I could easily say the same about starting a post about something so trivial, or about anyone replying to it, including myself. We are free to do what we want with our ‘free time’. Personally, I would never have ‘wasted’ my time on social media rather than iron my family’s clothing. My choice!

Greyarea12 · 19/02/2023 20:09

Only on MN do I only hear of people not ironing their clothes and how the ones who do are "weird'. Don't know anyone in RL who doesn't iron on their clothes.

I iron once a week whilst watching TV. I wouldn't have me or my dd walk about in creased clothes looking like I'm too lazy to iron it.

Fudgeandcaramel · 19/02/2023 20:09

There’s also the hygiene/infection control element. My old microbiology prof said that it was important to iron our white coats and workwear because 30 degree washes wouldn’t kill enough of the bacteria from the hospital, but a decent go with the iron would kill most things. I’ve no idea if this was accurate but I’ve never forgotten it and tended to wear stuff to work that I can iron on the cotton setting. and I am a very restless person so find it easier to think or have a conversation while moving in some way. Ironing is about as stationary as I get.

AllOfThemWitches · 19/02/2023 20:09

I have not ironed for years

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 19/02/2023 20:11

LemonJuiceFromConcentrate · 19/02/2023 19:58

I can’t think of anything worse than getting into a bed with creased sheets

^I mean, okay, we all like what we like, but this strikes me as … extreme

You can’t think of anything worse? War, famine, natural disasters? Or even just a bad week at work - even that would be much worse!

Teatime55 · 19/02/2023 20:12

I like ironing when I have the time. I also like ironed sheets.
im not good at just sitting watching tv, i have to do something as well.

fussychica · 19/02/2023 20:13

I'm an oldie, have always ironed most stuff. DH loves ironing, we both find it relaxing with some music on. Bedding aways ironed, crisp sheets, lovely.

LemonJuiceFromConcentrate · 19/02/2023 20:17

Just to be clear @GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing, I was quoting a pp, it wasn’t my own view! I mean I realise they were exaggerating, but still Grin

PonkyPonky · 19/02/2023 20:18

A lot of judgement on this thread! I iron DH’s work shirts and trousers and DS school uniform. It would all look horrendous if it wasn’t ironed. A well ironed school uniform looks much nicer in my opinion and I certainly do not have too much free time… I have none! But I make time to spend half an hour ironing on a Sunday

MrsJBaptiste · 19/02/2023 20:21

Just about to start my weekly ironing.

And yes, us ironers can definitely spot those who don't iron but each to their own 🤷‍♀️

VirtualRealitee · 19/02/2023 20:21

YANBU, it's a very strange hobby indeed.

And one I've never known any men to take up.

CoalCraft · 19/02/2023 20:24

I've never ironed a garment in my life and don't intend to start!

I remember my Gran ironing Gramps's y-fronts when I was a kid and thinking what on earth 😁