Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Ironing: lighthearted

202 replies

Ilovejonahsims · 29/04/2023 07:56

Does anyone else iron all their clothes? Not daft things like socks and knickers but everything else including bedding?

i don’t love doing it but I just can’t bear the look of unironed clothes (especially for DC)

is anyone else like this? am I mad?

OP posts:
DappledThings · 29/04/2023 20:07

Panickingsomewhat · 29/04/2023 19:42

But where do you ironers find the time and energy?!

We both work full time (teachers). Two kids with numerous activities. I could see me getting some ironing done this weekend as there’s an extra day… but normally? Nope.

I prioritise it over pretty much any other domestic task as its the one I like the most. My bathrooms don't get cleaned any where near as often as as other people, and things have a general level of constant untidiness. But the drawers are full of ironed items taking up as little space as possible!

Enko · 29/04/2023 20:14

Panickingsomewhat · 29/04/2023 19:42

But where do you ironers find the time and energy?!

We both work full time (teachers). Two kids with numerous activities. I could see me getting some ironing done this weekend as there’s an extra day… but normally? Nope.

Ive mostly done it in one setting one day a week. My friend does 20 mins each evening after dinner whilst her dh does the dishes. Works for them and works for us.

At one point both dh and I were in full-time work. We had 4 children in school uniforms with shirts and both dh and I wore shirts to work (I was in uniform dh in a formal office) so I ironed 25 shirts every Sunday evening. Usually whilst kids were doing reading or home work next to me sometimes we watched a tv programme together. It can be together time too.

mainsfed · 29/04/2023 20:35

I iron 10% of my clothes, most stuff doesn’t need it.

DH irons his work shirts.

limitedperiodonly · 29/04/2023 20:35

Panickingsomewhat · 29/04/2023 19:42

But where do you ironers find the time and energy?!

We both work full time (teachers). Two kids with numerous activities. I could see me getting some ironing done this weekend as there’s an extra day… but normally? Nope.

You make the time and devote the energy to things you regard as important.

Many of us work full time and have children though not all are blessed enough to be teachers.

Do you think being a teacher is the key to not ironing or on reflection do you conclude that though you don't want to iron and others do, on balance whatever we want to do whether we are astrophysicists, shop assistants or teachers is all right?

I'm no teacher but I think free will comes into it somewhere. Isn't that what you teach the children in your class?

IglesiasPiggl · 29/04/2023 20:43

Panickingsomewhat · 29/04/2023 19:42

But where do you ironers find the time and energy?!

We both work full time (teachers). Two kids with numerous activities. I could see me getting some ironing done this weekend as there’s an extra day… but normally? Nope.

Teenagers and WFH. I used to pay someone to do it when my DC were little and I was commuting every day.

Cakeorchocolate · 29/04/2023 21:19

Nope. I gave up most ironing years ago.

DC School uniform and DHs work clothes are about the only things that get ironed here.

Occasionally other bits if they're particularly creased or like a pocket flap or hem sticking up.

Beaverbridge · 29/04/2023 21:25

I love ironing, people think I'm mad. Stick something on tv and get it all set up. I do my daughters too, only time his partner has shirts ready for work is after I've been there!. Hate all other housework though.

saveforthat · 29/04/2023 21:27

Chasingsquirrels · 29/04/2023 07:57

I used to iron all clothes.
I now iron nothing.

Same

ThatFraggle · 29/04/2023 21:28

I use a dri buddy. It steam dries laundry on hangers, making 80% of things look ironed.

MaryShelley1818 · 29/04/2023 21:35

I don't iron a single thing and most of our clothes nobody would be able to tell. I honestly just don't have the time.

daffodilandtulip · 29/04/2023 21:37

Never have and never will.

DD had hamma beads for Christmas once. Months later she asked if I could buy an iron soon so she could use her Christmas present. We did have one, she'd just never seen it.

TheUsualChaos · 29/04/2023 21:48

I iron most things but I seem to be in the minority in my circle, seems to be just me and MIL 😬 sometimes quite like just spending an hour getting through the pile while I listen to podcasts, it's sort of like a mindfulness activity.

TheUsualChaos · 29/04/2023 21:51

I should add that this only happens about once a week on a good week and the clean washing spends most of its time piling up in the basket.

Prettybutdumb · 29/04/2023 21:52

I iron everything except for fitted mattress sheets, underwear and socks. I had a wonderful Laurastar Valentine’s gift (picked myself) and I swear to god I love ironing for the first time in my life. It’s effortless.

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 29/04/2023 21:57

I iron everything. Including pants socks and tea towels. I love ironing! All those that say you can't tell. I can. And think it makes people look scruffy.

Anonymous48 · 29/04/2023 22:02

I don't iron anything, but I put everything except exercise clothes in the tumble dryer anyway, so things don't get wrinkled.

NotMeNoNo · 29/04/2023 22:11

I probably spend half an hour a week ironing. It's often left to Sunday night because I don't have much time and energy but I'm not going to work in crumpled clothes.

I don't know where people find the time for endless beauty treatments or hours of exercise or cleaning the bathroom twice a day, we all prioritise these things differently.

Maireas · 29/04/2023 22:31

I've got a tumble dryer but still iron because I can't put cotton shirts and trousers in it, or jackets and dresses.

uncomfortablydumb53 · 29/04/2023 22:36

I haven't even got an iron!

Knittingisacraptherapy · 29/04/2023 22:36

This 'ironing' you speak of, what is it? <rofl>

Mitte · 29/04/2023 23:50

Yes me too OP! 😁

midnightblue12 · 29/04/2023 23:55

I cannot bare a T-shirt collar/neckline being unironed!!!

DiscoBeat · 30/04/2023 00:00

I used to iron everything, including baby frogs and towels.
But now I hang things carefully to dry and fold them straight away and hardly anything needs it - just formal shirts and trousers, mainly school uniform.

PickAChew · 30/04/2023 00:02

Bedding can get to fuck. I iron everything that I wear that is visible, though. It feels and looks better.

PickAChew · 30/04/2023 00:02

I definitely don't iron young amphibians.