Raise your hand if you like to iron clothes. If both hands are in your lap or at your side, I get it. You feel the same way about washing the dishes, cleaning the toilet, and scrubbing the oven.
Most Americans do. In a survey cited by Real Simple, Yelp asked 2,000 people how chores affected their relationships. They wanted to know which household task was least preferred by those in the home.
Laundry – including ironing – was second on the list.
A different poll by Opinium Research found that ironing was the least favorite chore. Twenty percent of respondents said this. One in four avoided ironing for at least one week.
If YOUR ironing is piling up, there are ways to make the task more enjoyable. Today, we’ll cover 9 ways to make ironing fun, easy, and productive.
Let’s get started!
📋 DISCLOSURE – This page has affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, I may earn a commission at no cost to you. Read more here.
9 Ways to Make Ironing Fun
Have you ever met someone who enjoys ironing? Most people describe it as tedious, repetitious, and boring. Yet, it can be meditative in its monotony. Here’s what Alexandra Stoddard said about ironing:
“I find it soothing to take something wrinkled and make it smooth. It feels anticipatory,” she said. “It’s what I do before a celebration. And nobody bothers me when I’m ironing.”
I read a post by Cynthia Giles that focused on mindful ironing. With a touch of Zen and a dollop of Feng Shui. It was fun to read, and she linked to an interesting article on the history of ironing.
As a follow-up, Giles shared some practical advice. How to choose an iron, for example, or “flirt up” your ironing board cover. (Read more here and here.)
“If you’re not ready to start a love affair with ironing, at least try a first date,” she wrote. You have to start somewhere! So let’s dive in. Here are 9 ways to make ironing fun, easy, and productive.
1. Make Ironing Part of Your Routine
As a homemaker, you know all about schedules and routines. You use a daily planner to manage your home, along with task charts and to do lists.
If you schedule something for the same day each week, at about the same time of day, you’re less likely to avoid the task. You know this from experience.
So make ironing part of your routine.
What if you have a lot of clothes to iron and you can’t do it all in one session? Schedule two or three shorter sessions during the week. But don’t wait too long or the ironing will pile up again.
2. Stay on Top of Your Ironing
Do you find it hard to keep up with the ironing? Consider ironing your clothes on laundry day. Ironing whatever needs pressing as soon as you unload the washing machine. This makes the task less daunting. What’s more, it’s easier to iron damp clothes than dry ones.
3. Don’t Try to Iron Everything
Don’t waste your time ironing things that don’t need it. Most of us can skip ironing the towels, dishcloths, underwear, and sheets. If you can whittle your ironing pile to work clothes, for example, you will finish the task faster that it takes now.
4. Set a Time Limit for Ironing
If you set a time limit for the clothes you iron, you’ll be more productive. Limiting the time you spend on ironing helps you resist the urge to iron things that don’t need it. It also motivates you to finish the task in the shortest time possible.
5. Mind Your Ironing Technique
Use long, straight strokes when you iron your clothes. And press down – don’t drag the iron – when working on the tricky parts. Wiggling the iron around causes creases and wrinkles that are hard to smooth out.
6. Use Scented Ironing Water
Make ironing fun – and your clothes smell good – with scented ironing water. Many stores sell ironing water scented with jasmine, lavender, green tea, and sandalwood. This classic fragrance from The Laundress is popular with the Savoring Home crowd.
7. Listen to Music While You Iron
Put on some music and throw yourself a party on ironing day. Dance while you iron! Music lightens the mood and gives you something to focus on besides the task at hand.
Listen to an audiobook or an audio Bible like The Word of Promise. Or set up your ironing board in front of the television. Have fun, but don’t get too distracted or you’ll end up burning your clothes!
8. Invite a Friend to Iron With You
If the ironing has piled up and the task seems overwhelming, invite a friend over for an ironing session. Things will be more enjoyable for both of you as you iron clothes, chat, and drink coffee or tea.
9. Give Yourself a Treat After Ironing
Whether you iron alone or with a friend, give yourself a treat when you’re done. Sit down with a drink, a snack, and a magazine. The promise of a reward (a little R & R) will motivate you along the way.
Wrapping It Up
For most of us, ironing is an unpopular household task. It’s also a necessary part of the laundry process. Luckily, there are ways to make ironing fun, easy, and productive.
If you still avoid ironing after following the tips above, it might be time to call up a professional. Look up “ironing services” on Yelp, Angie’s List, or your local directory. Then let someone who enjoys ironing do the work for you. ◻️
Related Posts
- Does Homemaking Matter? What You Should Know
- How to Iron Clothes: 7 Tips for Successful Ironing
- Ironing Tools: 10 Things You Need to Iron Clothes
Now It’s Your Turn
Thank you for reading my post. Now it’s YOUR turn to chime in. Do you iron your clothes straight out of the wash – or do you let the ironing pile up? What’s your best tip to make ironing fun, easy, and productive?
Let’s fill the comments with friendly conversation. Scroll down to leave a reply, ask a question, or just say hello. And if you liked this post, please give it a share.
Blessings, Annette
📋 SUBSCRIBE – You are reading “9 Ways to Make Clothes Ironing Fun, Easy, and Productive.” Join my email list and be a part of the Savoring Home community.
Photo Sources
- Getty Images | Canva | License
