Does the thought of doing your weekly iron fill you with dread? Do you struggle to get your clothes to look pristine and smart? Then this article is exactly what you have been looking for; once you have read and implemented the ideas, ironing will quickly turn from being a chore to being something that gives you a sense of pride and fulfillment. Ironing needn’t be something you dread, so let’s get you on the road to ironing bliss.
1. Professional Ironing Begins With Your Washing Machine
Many people are unaware that the best way to ensure a relatively pain-free ironing process actually begins with the washing machine. Tempting as it may be to overload your washing machine to get as many clothes watched in each load, the reality is that this helps to embed creases in your clothes, which then have to be ironed out, with difficulty. Your clothes need room to be able to move about in the washing machine, so resist the temptation and never overload your washing machine.
2. Try To Iron Your Clothes As Soon As They Have Been Cleaned and Dried
Everyone has experienced the predicament where you lay your freshly laundered shirt or blouse on the ironing board, begin ironing and then discover dirt on your white clothes which results in a mark on your shirt or blouse. The best way to avoid this happening is to try and iron your clothes as quickly as possible after they have dried, as this will avoid them collecting any dirt while sitting in the ironing pile.
3. Iron Your Clothes Whilst They Are Still Damp
Steam irons pump steam into clothes in order to help with the ironing process, and some people even use the spray function of their iron to add water to the clothing in order to assist with the ironing process. That is why it is beneficial to iron your clothes whilst they are still slightly damp. This will help the creases melt away in most cases saving you time and hassle.
4. Invest in a Quality Ironing Board
Think of an ironing board as one of the most important tools in your ironing arsenal. Many people focus almost exclusively on the quality of the iron they are using, but the ironing board is equally as if indeed more important than the iron. With ironing boards the old adage of getting what you pay for applies, which is why the Boardmann Extra Wide ironing boards is one of the best investments you will ever make. This ironing board features many market leading benefits, with the biggest being that it will cut your ironing time in half. This is achieved mainly due to the extra large ironing surface, in conjunction with the specially designed shape of the board, which helps facilitate quick and easy ironing of shirts and blouses. Along with its sturdy construction and mesh back it ensures that your clothes will look better than ever in half the time.
5. Ensure Your Ironing Board is at The Correct Height For Your Specific Needs and Requirements
Following on from the previous point, it is essential that your ironing board is set at the correct height for your specific requirements. The Boardmann Extra Wide Ironing board mentioned above is fully adjustable in terms of height settings. The key to choosing the right height for your specific needs is to ensure that your arm should be at a 90-degree angle when you are ironing. If the board is too high for you you will not be able to apply sufficient pressure on the iron itself, and if the board is too low, then you will quickly put extra stress and strain on your back leading to potential pain later in the day.
6.Organise Your Wash By Fabric Type As Well As Colour
Everyone knows the importance of not mixing colours with whites, unless of course you don’t mind the tie dye look!! What people don’t really take into consideration is the type of fabric their clothes are made from. Cotton and silk for instance will require significantly different iron settings, so rather than waste time waiting for the iron to cool down or heat up, or indeed risk burning your clothes, plan your ironing before you start. Separate the different fabric types into piles, and then iron all of the same type of fabric at once. This is another little known technique to save you time and effort whilst doing the ironing.
7. Get A System In Place
If you have read this far then you are probably thinking that ironing should be done like a military operation, and there is probably an element of truth to that. Having gone to all the effort of doing your ironing the last thing you want with your newly pressed clothes is to get them creased again before you wear them, which is why it is important to hang them up and then put them away as soon as you have ironed them.
By following the seven tips above your ironing time will be halved, your clothes will look better than ever and hopefully, you will no longer dread the ironing process, even if it is unlikely to be your favourite chore around the home.
In our opinion, the ironing board is the key component to a stress-free and optimal ironing experience. The Boardmann Extra Wide ironing board is available from a wide range of retailers including Amazon, Argos, Wayfair, The Range and Costco, although you can buy it direct from Boardmann here. If you have any further ironing questions feel free to contact us as we like nothing more than helping our customers save time and hassle with their ironing.
