Ironing questions/tips

[BertieBottsChocolateBeans]

I don't tend to iron very often, because I have an 18mo and I am so paranoid that he is going to burn himself on the iron, but sometimes I decide to do some when he is sleeping etc, so I tend to do a big load in one go.

So I have some questions, anyway.

1. Regarding iron temperatures, is it best to go by what is stated on the labels, or are they always overcautious? Can anyone give me a very rough guide to what different materials need/can cope with? My iron has got a graduated scale thing with in-between settings as well.

1. When I iron, I only seem to be able to make the creases smaller and less noticeable, they don't disappear completely. And then by the time it's folded up there are more tiny creases on everything. Is this normal, am I being too perfectionist by noticing this? Or am I doing something wrong?

1. I read on an old thread that fabric softener is important and it should match the brand of washing powder - how important is this and how/why does it make a difference?

1. Plastic logos etc - is it better to iron things inside out, or put a tea towel over the logo?

1. Steam function on iron - this is only available at the hottest temperature, what does it do? Also I have a spray thing on the front of it but it's rubbish, is it worth getting a little spray bottle?

That is all for now I think - if anyone has any tips that would be helpful too. Just don't tell me to buy an expensive steam generator iron, can't afford it at the moment (and want to buy an ironing board first, and get my money's worth out of my normal iron!)

stop ironing

there, job done

I don't tend to normally but I find it quite relaxing and enjoy the change of having everything look neat(er) so would still like some tips

Also I bought some linen trousers so I really need to iron occasionally!

i want to know how to get away with not ironing - a friend said she doesnt iron her dh trousers or shirts and just hangs them straight up wet in the airing cupboard and hey presto - i have done this this wekeend with my dh shoirts and his shirts look crumpled so i fear i will be ironong anyway.

I too will only iron when my DD is sleeping, she is too fond of 'helping' me with things!

1. I iron jeans on the hottest temp and everything else lower, on the wool setting I think. I don't iron wool though. Ironing some things too hot can make them shiny. I couldn't tell you the wash/iron instructions for any of my clothes, I don't read them!

1. Using the steam function or spraying will help with this but I always seem to have some creases left behind, they get more in the drawer anyway. Also, cross your eyes slightly when ironing to blur your vision and you won't see the little creases

1. I use fabric softener because softer fabric is easier to iron. I don't know about matching to powder though, I use Comfort Pure with Persil Non Bio.

1. I only iron the back of T-shirts with logos/patterns on the front, they tend to belong to the DCs and are wrinkled within 2 seconds of being put on anyway.

1. Steam function helps get the creases out although spraying will make the fabric damp and create steam when you run the iron over it and do pretty much the same job. Might be worth a spray bottle if you can only steam on the hottest temp. I use Comfort Vaporesse in the iron instead of water, it smells lovely and does seem to make the ironing easier but most importantly it doesn't scale up the inside of the iron.

Steam generator irons are apparently very very fab but quite big, better if you can leave them set up I think. Another tip is to fold stuff really neatly when it is just dry and it needs little or no ironing (from the woman with a basket full of screwed up stuff straight off the radiators...) I try and do a bit every couple of days so it never gets too much, ooh and I iron in front of the TV which makes it more enjoyable! HTH

nappyzone - am afriad I tumble dry too much then hang everything up straight away - if something V creased hang it up in the bathroom when having a shower

don't buy things that need ironed is a good one too

yes i generally tumble dry things for the last bit of drying and smooth down but shirts still need a bit as do work trousers- i dont want to iron at all and dh has banned use of the "ironing man" as it was costing too much and well i do have 2 days extra off a week . How the hell do i get away with not ironing shirts - am currently trying to persuade him polo shirts are the way to go.

nappy - no idea, DH's work thankfully changed from white shirts to black tshirt thingies

I did however tell him I wouldn't be ironing his workshirts when he joiined that particular profession - tell DH if he wants his shirts ironed to do them himself!

Yes unfortunatly in his profession they have to set a good example and wear ridiculous cotton shirt and tie though 2 work logo t shirt polo shirt thingys have appeared im still waiting the other 3 to seal the deal! I have suggested doing his own but honestly its so painful to watch.

let him, he'll get better with practice

DH now does more ironing than me as he watches his programmes on the TV upstairs

I do iron, but very little.

I don't use fabric conditioner generally (apart from occasionally on machine washable wool) as I don't like the fact it leaves a chemical coating on items.

Dh tends to wear poly/cotton shirts for work on the whole so (see tip below) I don't need to iron them.

The things I do iron are the dds' party dresses, the odd cotton shirt etc.

Everything else I firstly avoid a fast spin during the wash cycle. I use the delicate/wool cycle. If towels etc are in there then I spin them later on a faster spin.

I take out all clothing items (skirts, jeans. t-shirts etc) and put in tumble drier for about 20 minutes or so (10 minutes heat, 10 minutes cooling down) I then hang them very promptly on hangers, either on washing line if weather good enough, or on airer indoors.

It is essential imo to avoid a fast spin, and to leave stuff in the dryer, or indeed to bake clothing items until bone dry.

thankyou - see i always super spin so will give that a whirl.

Ah, I don't have a tumble dryer though so find if I don't put things through a fast spin that they are wetter when they come out and then they go a bit "crusty" after drying on radiators etc. I do have a "reduce creases" option on my machine but not sure whether it affects spin speed - I think it just washes everything at 30.

Will try some of the spray bottle stuff. Thanks for tips

slow spin = longer drying times but (imo) less creases.

Fast spin = essential for towels and stuff that it doesn't matter if it is creased. Also equals shorter drying times.

I never dry direct on radiators. Partly because it makes the room colder/damper. I have two big airers to be used if weather is wet.

If outside temp is above freezing and dry (esp if windy) creases imo are reduced by a good flap in the wind.

Now see I was never an ironer- at all. I could go weeks if not months until I got my wonderful wonderful iron, but now I even iron sheets

So to your q's

1. Regarding iron temperatures, is it best to go by what is stated on the labels, or are they always overcautious? Can anyone give me a very rough guide to what different materials need/can cope with? My iron has got a graduated scale thing with in-between settings as well.

Denim on highest, bedding on cotton, tshirts/ polo shirts/ school trousers etc on synthetic. I would tend to stick to cool iron instructions but otherwise not get carried away too much with reading labels

1. When I iron, I only seem to be able to make the creases smaller and less noticeable, they don't disappear completely. And then by the time it's folded up there are more tiny creases on everything. Is this normal, am I being too perfectionist by noticing this? Or am I doing something wrong?

It could be your crap iron. My old one was like that

1. I read on an old thread that fabric softener is important and it should match the brand of washing powder - how important is this and how/why does it make a difference?

Garn?!?!?! Really? I dont use fabric conditioner very oftne so I wouldnt know

1. Plastic logos etc - is it better to iron things inside out, or put a tea towel over the logo?

I iron either inside out or from the back

1. Steam function on iron - this is only available at the hottest temperature, what does it do? Also I have a spray thing on the front of it but it's rubbish, is it worth getting a little spray bottle?

What an odd set up. Yes, get a spray bottle as damp makes ironing easier

BTW- my iron - that I would happily marry and have its children was this one but it is no longer made and has been replaced with this Phillips Azur

Honestly I know it sounds really Stepford, but a good iron makes a HUGE difference!!
Oh and I got one of those weeny table top ironing boards which makes it really easy to pop up and do the odd item when you need to

That's my iron DreamTeamGirl! It is indeed fab

Throw it in the dryer AS for DH's shirts if he doessnt want the ironing man to do them. tell him to DIY. Surprised you even got time to worry about this stuff

oh i dont worry about this stuff but i am all for cuttig corners in life

I only iron dh's shirts and dd's school skirts, pinafores, etc. I do the kids polo shirts for school/nursery but ironing one side is enough. I do everything at the cotton setting on the iron and use the spray function for stubborn creases on dh's shirts. I also have the steam function on.

I dont use the tumble drier but do hang dh's shirts and the polo shirts on hangers to dry as that seems to minimise the creases. I use fabric softner but usually get one that is on offer and smells nice too.

I only iron stuff for myself if I am going out on a special occasion and it looks creased - otherwise everything just gets hung up and put away.

LOL Becklespeckle people think I am mad that I heart my iron- but you know I am right!!

I do DreamTeamGirl, you are soo right!

(notice we are the only 2 who have answered point by point...)