| If you're like me and loathe ironing but don't want your | | | | and roll them up in a clean, damp tea towel. |
| family to look a wrinkly mess, what the heck do you | | | | Choose your iron carefully. Go for a good quality |
| do? For starters, try reading these tips below. Even | | | | lightweight, pointed steam iron. Check that the water |
| just following a few of them will save you slaving over | | | | reservoir looks easy to use and that you're happy with |
| a hot ironing board for hours. | | | | the feel of the iron in your hand. If you can, buy an iron |
| Choose clothes that don't need so much ironing. Cut | | | | that you can fill with tap water rather than expensive |
| down on crisp looking cotton shirts and linens as, in my | | | | de-ionised water. Keep your iron clean. To clean the |
| opinion, these are the only items that really need to be | | | | iron plate, sprinkle some ordinary table salt onto a |
| ironed. Don't overload your washing machine and spin | | | | sheet of paper and run the hot iron over it. Then use a |
| your clothes at a slower speed. This way the creases | | | | shot of steam to clean the jets. Once the iron has |
| won't be so embedded when you take the items out | | | | cooled a bit, wipe down the plate with a damp cloth |
| of your washing machine. | | | | and any sticky residue should come away easily. |
| Use fabric conditioner in your final rinse. Or for a green | | | | Alternatively rub your warm iron with a damp cloth |
| alternative, add a couple of tablespoons of vinegar. | | | | dipped in bicarbonate of soda then wipe any residue |
| You could also try iron-reduction fabric conditioner to | | | | away with a soft rag. |
| your wash. It may help an extra bit but don't expect | | | | You can descale some irons' reservoirs with a 50-50 |
| miracles. | | | | mix of white vinegar and water. Put the mixture in the |
| Take your items out of your washing machine as | | | | reservoir, heat the iron up then switch it off and leave |
| soon as the cycle finishes. This way clothes won't sit in | | | | for a couple of hours before rinsing. Remember to |
| a heap in the machine and develop more creases. | | | | check your handbook first as vinegar can damage |
| Shake item, reshape them and smooth out the worst | | | | some self-cleaning irons. Choose the right ironing board. |
| creases while they're still damp. When you've done | | | | Experts recommend that you select a broad ironing |
| this, hang them on a washing line, rotary dryer or | | | | board with a mesh base and thick padding. Choose a |
| clothes horse. Be careful how you hang them so that | | | | metallic cover which will help reflect the heat and |
| peg marks and fold lines (where the item is looped | | | | make your ironing more efficient. For a low-cost |
| over the line) are kept to a minimum. Try using soft | | | | alternative, put a layer of aluminium foil under your |
| pegs which leave less of a mark and put items such | | | | standard ironing board cover. Make sure the cover is a |
| as shirts on hangers, then peg the hanger onto the line. | | | | really good fit. If it's a bit baggy, invest in some elastic |
| If you use a tumble dryer, don't overload it and remove | | | | straps - short straps with clips at both ends that you |
| clothes as soon as they're dry. When you've removed | | | | fix to the underside of your ironing board to pull it taut. |
| the clothes, give them a good shake then hang or fold | | | | Iron at the right temperature. Don't be tempted to iron |
| them immediately. | | | | things at a higher temperature than recommended or |
| Try this great wrinkle-remover tip: Fill a spray bottle | | | | press down too hard. This can damage the fabric and |
| with water and add three tablespoons of ordinary | | | | also make it look shiny. Your garment label should |
| fabric conditioner. Spray the creases and smooth them | | | | have a symbol to tell you the right temperature for |
| out with your hands. I can't pretend this will eliminate the | | | | your iron. An iron symbol with one spot means cool |
| need to iron smart cotton shirts, but it should eliminate | | | | and is suitable for nylon or most synthetic fabrics. An |
| having to iron t-shirts, polo shirts and even everyday | | | | iron symbol with two spots means warm and is |
| pure cotton items. | | | | suitable for woollens, silk, and fabrics made from a mix |
| Try hanging creased items on hangers in the bathroom | | | | of natural and synthetic fibers (eg, polycotton). An iron |
| while you have a hot bath or shower. The hot steam | | | | symbol with three spots means hot and is suitable for |
| should remove at least most of the wrinkles. | | | | fabrics that are 100% cotton or linen. For delicate items, |
| Iron clothes while they are still damp or dampen them | | | | I recommend ironing on the reverse or ironing under a |
| before you iron. It's much easier to iron clothes when | | | | slightly damp, clean pressing cloth (a clean white |
| they're slightly damp. If they're already dry, spray your | | | | handkerchief should be fine). |
| them with water from a spray bottle (add a few | | | | Begin by ironing items that only need a cool item. If you |
| drops of your favorite essential oil if you want them to | | | | have a several different types of items to iron, start |
| smell nice - lavender works particularly well). To make | | | | with the ones that need a lower temperature iron first |
| sure the dampness spreads through all the fibers, roll | | | | - then do the ones needing a higher temperature. This |
| them up and leave them in a plastic bag for a while | | | | way you'll avoid using an over-hot iron and delicate |
| before you begin ironing. Or do what my mum does | | | | fabrics. |