Saturday, March 26, 2016

Motherly Advice...10 simple ideas to make ironing more pleasurable...

 'Woman Ironing'  Armand Desire Gautier (French 1825-1894)

I didn't always like ironing. I avoided it for many years, and still do to a large extent. However, about once a month, I find myself with a basket of pretties that are enhanced with a bit of an iron, be they frills and flounces on clothing or linen, or simply items that look better, pressed. So here's some ways I make that task go more smoothly and enjoyably.

1. First and foremost, have a decent ironing board with padding beneath the cover, and comfortable shoes to relieve fatigue. I'm assuming that like me, you prefer to get the ironing over and done with in one fell swoop, so that makes sense to me. And don't feel guilty for investing in tasks to make your job easier. You deserve it!

2. Secondly, do treat yourself (that sounds odd, but having good equipment to perform your household tasks IS a treat of sorts) to a decent iron. One that feels light in your hand, preferably cordless....this is the twenty first century after all...and a decent steam and spray function.

3. Start with the most delicate items, ironed on a lower temperature, and move upwards to the more substantial items requiring the higher temperatures.

4. Make sure you have plenty of coathangers! I have been buying six velvet covered hangers a week for ages. An investment of just $6 a week, now means we can use these exclusively. They take up less space in the wardrobe, and the clothing does not slip from them. An ironing stand also means that you can hang as you go, and put everything away at the end.

5. Put a little of your favourite fabric softener into a spray bottle and use it as ironing aid.


Not only will it make your clothes and ironing area smell beautiful, but it'll make the ironing easier.

6. Alternatively, add a teaspoonful of Lectric Soda and a few drops of your favourite essential oil to a spray bottle of water. It'll perform the same task.

7. Have some music playing. Use your iPod or other techno gadget, or just have a battery operated radio in your ironing area. Sing along. Singing always makes the task go quicker.

8. Iron near a window, where the breeze can blow over you and you can enjoy the view outside, no matter what it is. I'm equally at peace looking at rainforest, water, the backyard, or a city skyline. My favourite ironing view though, is my front garden, so I iron near the window that best shows off my roses and hydrangeas.

9. Set up your favorite movie or TV series, and iron while you watch. The time will fly!

10. Take pleasure in knowing that no matter what the item is, it will always look better ironed! Even the most threadbare, vintage, or aged clothing and linens are shown to their best advantage, when fresh, and pressed.

Ironing won't necessarily become something to look forward to, but it can be enjoyable when tackled with enthusiasm, preparation and pride.

What's on your Tray of Bliss today? 

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25 comments:

  1. Mimi, your advice is spot on! I do just about everyone of them. My tip would be don't let your ironing pile get too big,

    Happy ironing to us all!

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    1. Thanks Rhonda...and yes that's another goodie! Mimi xxx

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  2. My favourite things to iron are the beautiful lace edged pillowcases that I found in French brocantes. A little spray starch and they look so fresh and pretty.

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    1. Oh I can see them now Elizabeth. How lucky you are to have those! Mimi xxx

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  3. I LOVE THIS! We are on the same page! I have an ironing post ready to go in the next week or so! This one was completely charming and I will add a link to it at the bottom of our post :)

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    1. Thankyou Jes. That's lovely of you! Great minds think alike, huh? Mimi xxx

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  4. I must be a little crazy but I LOVE to iron. There is just something about taking something very wrinkled and turning it into something beautiful. I iron my tablecloths and napkins and my table looks beautiful. Your advice is correct.

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    1. I love the look of the ironed pile, but not the iron-ing pile...lol! So I'm with you! Mimi xxx

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  5. I also am a little odd because I love to iron, always have always will. I did learn something new and that was to scent my spray bottle water. Love that. When my children were in school there was a dry cleaners very close to my home and I would work there for a little extra cash. Helped out with sewing and canning supplies. I was very good I can iron 10 shirts per hour with only an iron, my old boss loved that.

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    1. tealady, I'm pleased to have offered you something useful. Ten shirts an hour is impressive indeed! Mimi xxx

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  6. Some great advice here. I never iron anything, but it's probably a vicious circle. My iron is rubbish so I don't iron and because I don't iron I won't buy a better iron. Maybe one day I'll invest, but for now, perhaps not!

    Sally @ Life Loving
    #LifeLovingLinkie

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    1. Lol Sally! Without a doubt. No pressure, but a new iron might make you change your mind ;-) Mimi xxx

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  7. Some wonderful and very useful advice here Mimi.

    I however refuse to iron, I really loathe ironing and have done since I started so now I try my very best to buy things that do not need ironing and can just be hung on a coat hanger to dry then put away.

    I used to have to iron all of DP's work shirts and I think this is why I began to hate ironing cause it was always the same shirts every time I had to iron, so it became boring. I do however own an iron and an ironing board but mainly for when I am sewing or crafting.

    Thanks for the sharing the information

    Have a great week

    Aly xxx

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    1. Aly, I agree that ironing the humdrum stuff is awful. But ironing pretty pillowcases and frills is a delight in itself I find. For me, anyway :) Mimi xxx

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  8. This was simply wonderful, Mimi.
    I do just about everything you mentioned here, except that I use essential oils in my water spray bottle. I have never heard of using the fabric softener and I liked that idea, I use a natural organic softener that smells delightful, so I may have to give that a try.
    Ironing has been something that I have enjoyed since I was a young girl. In fact, I would iron my mothers friends husbands shirts for 25 cents a shirt when I was under the age of ten. I think that was my first job. HA!

    It was good to come by for a visit and see your beauty.

    Enjoy your week~~Debbie

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    1. Hello Debbie. How lovely to see you! Yes the fabric softener really helps the iron glide. You'll love it! I think ironing was my first job to help my Mum too! I hope your week is beautiful. Love, Mimi xxx

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  9. Ironing is by far my least favorite household chore but your tips will certainly come in handy! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm! xoKathleen

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    1. Lol Kathleen. I don't believe you're alone there! Mimi xxx

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  10. I actually enjoy ironing, but our closets are so small that ironing anything beforehand would just get them wrinkled again. When i was working, I ironed every night before I went to bed to have my clothes ready for me in the morning without a rush.

    thanks for sharing at SYC.

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    1. That's a perfect solution! Well done! Mimi xxx

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  11. Lol Marilyn! Don't get me wrong, I still avoid it wherever possible. But some things just look better ironed. Pretty pillowcases for example. Love them. Love them more, ironed! I'll sure hop over for Monday Over the Moon. Thanks for the invite! Mimi xxx

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  12. Sending some blog love your way :)

    http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-linens-old-fashioned-day-whatsoever.html

    Have a lovely weekend!

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I love hearing from you! I always respond to comments, so don't be shy! Mimi xxx