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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Kanaloa · 30/04/2023 10:27

Panickingsomewhat · 30/04/2023 08:13

Is it that surprising that people have different priorities? If I cleaned my bathroom and kitchen or hoovered as often as lots of people on here do I wouldn't have time for ironing. I just chose to prioritise ironing because I prefer it.

I guess it’s also surprising to me, for example, how often some people ‘deep clean’ their kitchen cupboards, for example. They must have even more time on their hands! To me, cleaning the bathroom is a necessary weekly activity- otherwise it’s grim, so I’m clearly going to prioritise that over ironing because, while un-ironed clothes might be less than ideal, they’re not actually disgusting! But all this excess deep cleaning and dusting behind the fridge also fall into the ‘would be nice if I had time’ category, just like most ironing.

So yes, it is about priorities and I guess sometimes other people’s priorities do surprise us. But I am going to venture to say that I suspect most of the ironers have already made sure their bathrooms are clean and there’s food in the fridge etc - (because I’d be very surprised if they were happily setting aside ironing time while their family starved and sat around in squalor) so they perhaps [takes cover] have more time to play with than some other people.

It might not be that we all have sooo much more time than the ultra uber busy teachers of the world, but that we manage and organise our time much better.

Panickingsomewhat · 30/04/2023 12:36

Kanaloa · 30/04/2023 10:27

It might not be that we all have sooo much more time than the ultra uber busy teachers of the world, but that we manage and organise our time much better.

Someone doesn’t like teachers!

I only asked where people found the time. It’s unleashed quite a lot of hate. An answer might be - I have a cleaner, or I work part-time. Instead it’s a torrent of snide comments!

To clarify, I never claimed to be the busiest person ever… Just saying we’re not equally busy (because some posters seem to think everyone has exactly the same amount of time to play with).

DemelzaandRoss · 30/04/2023 12:57

I always had an ironing pile. Now I don’t. Put all clothes away as they are. If something is really creased I’ll iron it. Nothing else. It’s great.

Fandabedodgy · 30/04/2023 13:05

@CallieQ

In your opinion

HurdyGurdy19 · 30/04/2023 13:11

I gave up ironing when I kept finding piles of lovingly ironed clothing just shoved in the bottom of the wardrobe instead of in drawers.

At one time, yes, ironed everything from baby socks to duvet covers. What a mug 🤣

limitedperiodonly · 30/04/2023 14:29

HurdyGurdy19 · 30/04/2023 13:11

I gave up ironing when I kept finding piles of lovingly ironed clothing just shoved in the bottom of the wardrobe instead of in drawers.

At one time, yes, ironed everything from baby socks to duvet covers. What a mug 🤣

If that happened to me, I wouldn't jack it all in, I'd just iron my own things and let the others get on with it.

My husband does most of the ironing. He works with clothes so learned in his first job. We have a professional ironing system where the board inflates like a hovercraft, but you don't have to go that far.

He's quicker and better than me, but if I want to wear something and he's not in I can do it easily and always do. He's also better at sewing - he even does embroidery, which he needs for work.

Actually so was my dad. He was in the Army and they all learned. He was good at polishing shoes too and did ours for us after every wear, as does my husband. I like polishing shoes too, it's satisfying while you're watching the telly or chatting. Also, you notice when they need re-heeling or re-soling and so you never pull out a pair of shoes at the last minute and realise that if you wear them you're going to ruin them or get your feet wet.

You don't have to iron socks and knickers but my mum used to give them a quick once-over on cold days. Putting on warm socks, gloves and vest and knickers when it was snowing outside made me feel so loved.

No one has to do it, but it doesn't take that long, even if you do work full time and don't have servants.

Kanaloa · 30/04/2023 18:12

Panickingsomewhat · 30/04/2023 12:36

Someone doesn’t like teachers!

I only asked where people found the time. It’s unleashed quite a lot of hate. An answer might be - I have a cleaner, or I work part-time. Instead it’s a torrent of snide comments!

To clarify, I never claimed to be the busiest person ever… Just saying we’re not equally busy (because some posters seem to think everyone has exactly the same amount of time to play with).

I am in training to be a teacher 😂 I still don’t think teachers are uber super busy. And I don’t think I don’t polish my shoes enough because I’m sooooo busy, more than anyone else. I am aware that it’s because I don’t prioritise doing it enough.

Kanaloa · 30/04/2023 18:13

Of course teachers are busy - but not to some superior level like some people seem to think. Many teachers I know still manage to iron their clothing!

Kanaloa · 30/04/2023 18:13

And if you want an answer - I manage my time well to include all essential chores. That’s it really!

brunettemic · 30/04/2023 18:16

I don’t iron anything…DH does it in our house but he doesn’t do bedding, only clothes.

Panickingsomewhat · 30/04/2023 18:17

Kanaloa · 30/04/2023 18:13

And if you want an answer - I manage my time well to include all essential chores. That’s it really!

Well done you 😀

AliTheMinx · 30/04/2023 18:18

Yes. I do. I iron nearly everything apart from underwear and socks. Always pillowcases, but duvet covers depend on how creased or otherwise they are. Sometimes I just fold them and quickly iron each side. I don't mind it. I usually do it all on a Sunday afternoon/evening. I never ironed anything until DC was born, and then I decided I always wanted him to be smart. He's 11 now, so school shirts (easy iron) and shorts always need doing every week.

AliTheMinx · 30/04/2023 18:20

Forgot to add that DH has never ironed anything in his life, so I do his as well. I also work full-time...

nokidshere · 30/04/2023 18:38

I haven't ironed for about 8 yrs! It's so liberating

Kanaloa · 30/04/2023 19:39

Panickingsomewhat · 30/04/2023 18:17

Well done you 😀

Thanks - well done you on being the busiest person in the whole wide world 😀

Panickingsomewhat · 30/04/2023 19:52

Kanaloa · 30/04/2023 19:39

Thanks - well done you on being the busiest person in the whole wide world 😀

Good luck with your teacher training too - looks like it might be a challenge with your reading comprehension skills as they are…

Have a check if you like. I clearly said that others will definitely be busier than I am. And that others are clearly less busy. That’s quite self-evident, but it did somehow need pointing out to some on this thread. 🤷‍♀️

I really don’t like the mantra that women can and should ‘manage their time’ in some magical way, martyring themselves to crease-free clothes because some judgmental people can smugly ‘always tell’ when clothes haven’t been ironed. There are only 24 hours in a day. Some people have more than enough essential tasks to fill every one of their waking hours. I’m not necessarily saying that I am one of them - but it sometimes feels like it.

Smugly telling other women that they can manage all manner of luxury chores if they just put their minds to it is a bit like those clueless politicians telling people with insufficient funds just to ‘learn to budget’. It’s bullshit.

Kanaloa · 30/04/2023 19:54

Panickingsomewhat · 30/04/2023 19:52

Good luck with your teacher training too - looks like it might be a challenge with your reading comprehension skills as they are…

Have a check if you like. I clearly said that others will definitely be busier than I am. And that others are clearly less busy. That’s quite self-evident, but it did somehow need pointing out to some on this thread. 🤷‍♀️

I really don’t like the mantra that women can and should ‘manage their time’ in some magical way, martyring themselves to crease-free clothes because some judgmental people can smugly ‘always tell’ when clothes haven’t been ironed. There are only 24 hours in a day. Some people have more than enough essential tasks to fill every one of their waking hours. I’m not necessarily saying that I am one of them - but it sometimes feels like it.

Smugly telling other women that they can manage all manner of luxury chores if they just put their minds to it is a bit like those clueless politicians telling people with insufficient funds just to ‘learn to budget’. It’s bullshit.

See I’ve touched a nerve!

I’m not telling women to ‘manage their luxury chores.’ My husband manages to iron as well funnily enough. Men can iron too!

Kanaloa · 30/04/2023 19:55

But you did ask several times how people find time to iron. The answer to that is that you manage your time correctly if it’s something that’s important to you.

Nellieinthebarn · 30/04/2023 20:06

Kanaloa · 30/04/2023 19:55

But you did ask several times how people find time to iron. The answer to that is that you manage your time correctly if it’s something that’s important to you.

Or when you are avoiding doing something else! 😂

cardibach · 30/04/2023 20:09

Enko · 29/04/2023 20:06

By spearing I am assuming your autocorrect came through and it was meant to be wearing?

I can almost always see the difference between something that is ironed and not creased and something that is "just" creased. I think many can. You may not be able to but that doesn't = no one can.

Something not being ironed doesn't automatically mean a person looks creased it can simply mean it is not ironed so not as flat as it would be when ironed.

As a rule, I stay away from telling others "What they mean". It's rare we get it right.

And yet you are doing the same to me…

Panickingsomewhat · 30/04/2023 20:13

Kanaloa · 30/04/2023 19:55

But you did ask several times how people find time to iron. The answer to that is that you manage your time correctly if it’s something that’s important to you.

‘Manage your time correctly’ 😂

As I said, good luck with the teacher training. You may just find that things aren’t quite as black and white as that. You sound quite young.

Kanaloa · 30/04/2023 20:18

Panickingsomewhat · 30/04/2023 20:13

‘Manage your time correctly’ 😂

As I said, good luck with the teacher training. You may just find that things aren’t quite as black and white as that. You sound quite young.

And you sound quite patronising. For what it’s worth, I’m not ‘quite young.’ I was a mature student who worked full time and raised a family through uni and I now work in a stressful job alongside starting teacher training. It’s funny that you were so desperate to sneer about how you’d ‘touched a nerve’ by saying you were too busy and yet it seems to have touched a nerve with you to hear that in fact others can have very very busy working and family lives and still manage to do basic household tasks.

Panickingsomewhat · 30/04/2023 20:23

Kanaloa · 30/04/2023 20:18

And you sound quite patronising. For what it’s worth, I’m not ‘quite young.’ I was a mature student who worked full time and raised a family through uni and I now work in a stressful job alongside starting teacher training. It’s funny that you were so desperate to sneer about how you’d ‘touched a nerve’ by saying you were too busy and yet it seems to have touched a nerve with you to hear that in fact others can have very very busy working and family lives and still manage to do basic household tasks.

Dear me. Can’t you see that it’s all relative? Many people think they’re busy. There isn’t a number we can ascribe to it so there’s no way to accurately compare on here.

Ironing isn’t really a basic household task - it’s one of the first people dispense with, as evidenced by this thread. Therefore those people who find time for it are very likely a little less busy than those that don’t (assuming everyone is doing the things that are actually basic tasks, like keeping the kitchen bathroom hygienic, providing food etc).

It’s just basic logic.

Kanaloa · 30/04/2023 20:26

Panickingsomewhat · 30/04/2023 20:23

Dear me. Can’t you see that it’s all relative? Many people think they’re busy. There isn’t a number we can ascribe to it so there’s no way to accurately compare on here.

Ironing isn’t really a basic household task - it’s one of the first people dispense with, as evidenced by this thread. Therefore those people who find time for it are very likely a little less busy than those that don’t (assuming everyone is doing the things that are actually basic tasks, like keeping the kitchen bathroom hygienic, providing food etc).

It’s just basic logic.

Of course it’s relative. Many very busy people can iron. I don’t agree that because I can iron that must mean I’m so much less busy than you. I think it means I prioritise ironing over other things that you probably find the time to do, which I see as less necessary. Rather than patronising comments about how I must be very young and don’t have the comprehension to be a teacher, you could have taken on board that it’s likely an issue of priorities and time management, since I doubt you do not have one free hour in the week that could not be rearranged to allow for ironing if you wanted to iron.

Panickingsomewhat · 30/04/2023 20:28

Tbh I probably could fit in ironing if I really really wanted. But some people won’t be able to. That’s the point I’m making. It’s that sometimes you just can’t