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Tip Store: Laundry: Ironing

​No More Ironing!

​Invest in a spray bottle that delivers a fine mist. Take your crumpled item of clothing and put it on. Spray a fine mist over it and smooth the crumples with the palm of your hand. The wrinkles will fall out. For more persistent wrinkles or linen spray more water on the item. A tip for the back of a shirt, spray the back of the item and put it on and lean forward. It sounds a little odd but it works! A friend was recently worried about having to iron while she was on a cruise and I told her about my trick. She took an empty misting bottle and had not a care in the world. The only thing it won't work on is adding a crease to a shirt sleeve, but.... I have tried it and if you pinch the sleeve carefully it can be done :) Contributed by Luana Atger, 8th January 2013

​Save Time Ironing

To remove bits, hair etc. from coats or other items use a wide piece of sticky tape which will pick up all bits with one 15cm piece of tape. Just reapply to each area of the item.
​Contributed by Val, Noble Park, 1st January 2009

​Ironing Routine Saves Time

Hate ironing? Since becoming a first time mum 11 months ago I have been not only money poor (stay at home mum gave up a decent paying job)but time poor too. I love spending the day with my little girl but I just can't wear creased clothing (one of my pet hates). I have discovered, by accident, by placing the wet clothes on hangers straight away and adjusting the clothing so that all of the creases are flattened out best you can and hanging them outside to dry eliminates a lot of time wasted ironing. Those that do need ironing, are ironed while on the hanger; they usually only need a warm iron run over them to look perfect. Not only saving you time ironing, but space on the line you place 4 loads of washing on one line, and when you iron you don't have to waste time placing garments on hangers because they already are so straight into the wardrobe without the risk of being creased again when placed in the freshly ironed clothes basket. This has saved me at least one hour (just with her clothes alone) of ironing time. Time I get to spend with my little girl. Like I said priceless!
​Contributed by Trish, Derrimut, 8th April 2009

​Icy Cold and Crisp Makes Ironing Easier

For a really crisp ironing job: put your garments to be ironed in the freezer for an hour or two or overnight before you iron. I learnt this from my daughter who used to demonstrate ironing presses. It is the heating of the fabric that takes out the wrinkles. That is why we use a hot iron rather than a cold one. When the clothes have been in the freezer they heat up by a lot more degrees than if they are at room temperature! Crisp and crisper!
​Contributed by Wendy, Frenchville, 24th April 2008

​Who Likes to Waste Time and Electricity Ironing?

Approximate $ Savings: $200 on electricity, plus lots of extra time.

I haven't ironed clothes for 5 years now. I fold the clothes as I take them off the line, in order of each family member. Then I take them to the laundry and place the clothes into each individual family members basket. I hang school/work shirts on hangers, and then hang on clothesline. These can be taken straight to cupboards when dry. My children put their own clothes away in their cupboards; they have been able to do this since aged 5. If children are younger, you may need to help them, but think of the time you have already saved by not ironing. Happy folding.
​Contributed by Niky, Warana, 1st September 2007

​No More Ironing Sprays Needed

​Iron your clothes just after you have washed them, while they are still wet. This works better than any iron I have ever owned and saves money on iron sprays, as you won't need them anymore. Contributed by Debra, Narrabri, April 14th 2005

​Ironing Aid

I have found the best ironing spray is to mix 50-100ml of fabric softener (I use a 65cent sachet that makes up into 2 litres) in a multi purpose spray bottle with the rest filled with tap water. This makes approximately 450ml. I use it on everything from jeans, t-shirts, cotton shirts and anything that needs ironing. I find that it makes everything very easy to iron and leaves the item soft and smelling fresh. It also works well sprayed on towels etc. before going into the dryer to simply soften them and finish drying them in winter. NOTE: This does not stain or mark any fabrics, nor does it leave that crust that some ironing aids leave.
​Contributed by Christine, June 28th 2006

​Removing Scorch Marks

1..Wet the scorched area and cover with cornflour....allow this to dry and brush off.. 2..For slight scorching rub the spot with a cloth dampened with white vinegar and blot dry.
​Contributed by Lynn, Lockrose, September 25th 2006

​Ironing

Don't waste your hard earned money on ironing aids buy a cheap bottle of hair conditioner place about 1/4 of a cup or less into a spray bottle and fill with water, creases come out like magic
​Contributed by Shirley, Bourke, August 2nd, 2006 

​Ironing Aid Spray

​Mix 50-100ml of fabric softener (I use a sachet type that costs approx. 65cents and makes up 2 litres) with water in a spray bottle. This makes up approx. 450ml. Spray on to the item to be ironed and iron. I have found this to be the best ironing aid and is suitable for ALL fabrics including denim. It makes ironing easier and faster, does not stain any fabric or leave that crusty residue, and leaves everything with a clean and fresh smell. I also use this spray on towels before putting them into the dryer to finish off drying or simply soften them. I find it more effective than using fabric softener in the wash. Contributed by Chris, Cherrybrook, August 2006

​Hang the Ironing

When hanging business shirts, t-shirts or tops out on clothes line to dry. Place item on a wire coat hanger (type you get with your dry cleaning so that you can easily bend handle so it does not fall off) and hang on Hills Hoist clothes line where there is a loop in pipe that runs out from centre top off the line. Tops dry better and it saves on ironing!
​Contributed by Bianca, Fish Creek

​Easy Ironing

Hands up who feels over burdened by a full ironing basket? I've got in the habit of setting up the ironing board every morning and just doing 15 mins ironing. It is amazing the difference it makes. I have 4 kids & a husband who needs business shirts. It is just so much easier, our cupboards and drawers are always full with things to wear. I also think that you are less inclined to buy new clothes if this is the case. I set it up near the kitchen so that I am still available to everyone, it's amazing what you can still achieve while you are ironing.
​Contrtributed by Erin, Yangebup

​Unclog a Steam Iron

​To unclog your steam iron add equal parts vinegar and water to the steam chamber of your steam iron and turn on. Leave in upright position for about 5 minutes. Let cool and empty chamber.

​Homemade Ironing Spray

The world's best and cheapest ironing spray is a mixture of 1 part ordinary white vinegar to 3 parts water. Rinse out and label an old pump bottle. This is so cheap - vinegar is only $1.69 for 2 litres at Aldi, and other 'no name' brands are cheap too. Much, much cheaper than brand name ironing sprays and even generic ones.
​Contributed by Susan

​Double Duty

​Have you seen the infomercial about the reflecting ironing board? Well it cuts your ironing time in half, because you iron both sides at once. Save yourself $40.00! Line your ironing board with heavy duty aluminium foil, then put your cover on. As you iron, the heat will reflect off of the foil to iron the under side of your garments!

​Cut Ironing Time

Place heavy-duty aluminium foil between your ironing board cover and pad. The foil reflects the heat and makes ironing quicker.