Iron Woman

                

By Elaine Viets

My friend Mary was in a New Orleans motel room getting the nerve to try something she hadn’t done in years.

Iron two shirts.

Mary didn’t take the quick way out – pressing her shirts on a bed. She opened the ironing board. Afterward, Mary couldn’t fold up the board.

Neither could her roommate. Doris Ann tried and failed.         

I tried next. I fought the board, and the board won.                        

Three women were defeated by the spindly contraption.

That’s when I knew this was a great day for womankind: Three of us couldn’t open an ironing board anymore. We’d all ironed earlier in our lives. We’d lost the skill.

The ironing board stayed up in the hotel room for three days. We tried to use it as a charging station for our computers and cell phones, but the darn thing was too wobbly.

Four days later, Kathy tackled the ironing board and folded it away.

As a teenager, ironing was my most hated chore. Even a stack of Beatles’ records blasting away didn’t make ironing fun. Dampened, rolled-up cotton clothes couldn’t wait. They’d mildew if I didn’t iron them fast. The steam iron was an anvil with an electric cord.

Here’s what starched my soul: My brothers didn’t have to iron. That was women’s work.

It’s fitting that a woman helped end this dreaded chore. Chemist Ruth Benerito developed the permanent press process in the 1950s. Too bad it used lots of formaldehyde, the stuff that pickles dead people. By the 1990s wrinkle-resistant fabrics were safer and women embraced them. We should embrace Ruth, or give her medal for setting us free from the steam iron.

I’m told some women love to iron. I’m also told some women believe that a gym workout at six a.m. gives them energy all day.

I do know that women will pay nearly $140 for steam iron called the Rowenta DW9080 Steamium 1800-watt Steam Iron with 400-hole Platinum Soleplate.

PristineAngie wrote a lyrical review about using this iron. It sounds more complicated than the Space Shuttle.

"First off, for people who are familiar with Rowenta irons, the ones made in Germany (as this one is) tend to be larger in size than an average iron," she wrote. "If you don’t mind wielding a big iron, then you’ll be ok with this one. The water chamber is also larger, so that adds to the weight when filled."

I had visions of muscular Valkyries, holding aloft sizzling steam irons.

 
PristineAngie believes German-made Rowentas are better than the Chinese versions.

But she warned: "FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS! . . . Being a perfectionist when it comes to ironing, I use 100% bottled spring water to eliminate any doubt."

For $140 bucks, I’d expect a steam iron to use Perrier.

PristineAngie pointed out a nifty feature on this uber-iron. "There is a trigger on the bottom of the handle . . . you can squeeze it to create what Rowenta called ‘forced steam’ which pushes 30% more steam into the fabric. The trigger sets off a pump that makes a fairly audible whirring mechanical noise. The vertical steam also sets a nice burst of steam into your clothing."

Pristine Angie says the iron "comes with a tall slim plastic spouted ‘pitcher’ to help you pour water into the iron. The front tip of the iron is extra pointed for getting perfect creases on the shirt and pleat corners."

Oh, my sister, I cannot understand your enthusiasm, but if it makes you happy, iron away. But you must not lure other women into this iron tyranny.

Couldn’t you praise something more enjoyable? A good novel, a fine restaurant, a fast car?

How about a hot romance?

That generates steam, too.

 

Comments

[event catering los angeles]

It very good to use iron stand as a computer and mobile charging. I also don't like to iron my clothes. It is very boring task. I believe that it is very needed to iron yourself.

[Carol R]

I don't know whether my mother was truly afraid I'd ruin clothes or burn myself or whether it was a well thought out ruse to trick me into taking over the ironing. She was a single mother of three in the 1960s, way before that was so common, she had to work, and she argued with her only daughter to stop her from ironing??!! So, of course, I ironed. I ironed when she wasn't home. I won the privilege to take over the ironing, fool that I was. I DO NOT indulge any longer.

[gaylin in Vancouver]

My mom has an ironing board always set up by her dryer. Her rule is there has to be at least 3 things to iron before she plugs the iron in. I own an iron, I have a tiny ironing board, I may use the thing once a year . . . If I have something that needs ironing I race to get it out of the dryer right when the dryer finishes, shake it out, hang it up - voila ironed!

Personally I would rather read a book than do most anything else. Except eating, I love eating!

[Doc In CA]

I ironed a shirt once, in about 1978.

[marie]

Ah, Ironing..I remember it well.
I had a perpetual ironing board and basket at all times set up in a spare bedroom when I was first married.
I would go in and iron a shirt for DH. We were newlyweds so I guess we just raced through the morning routine in bliss.
When I was a teenager I would iron to the weekly Dick Clark show..Bandstand.
When my daughter was two years old I took out the ironing board and she went into hysterics. I tried not to iron too often to avoid her trauma. As I always say I do things for the children, ah yes, the children.

[Josh]

I'm on record here as enjoying ironing. It is something that has a tangible effect that you can see, so if you are interested in short-term gratification, it is useful. I iron my shirts for work and the newly-washed cloth napkins every week. I used to do pillow cases, table cloths, and handkerchiefs, but not anymore.

Ah, the cloth napkins.

[William]

Two words: Dry Cleaners

[Alan P.]

Ironing along with laundry (the drier is spinning as I type) fall on the list of daddy jobs. I do like the feel of a still warm from the iron shirt. I am with William. When I wore a tie to work every day, the Dry Cleaner ironed.

One thing. Who decided that Hawaiian shirts, the definition of vacation-ware needed ironing?

[Kathy Reschini Sweeney]

I think I have an iron. Not sure where it is.

I will now consider this an unspoken pledge of sisterhood with you, Elaine.

[Undine]

My housekeeping skills would make Charlie Brown's pal Pigpen blush, but I knit and crochet many of my clothes, which necessitates "finishing" them with a steam iron. Oddly, that I don't mind. I find it almost relaxing.

Now, let's talk vacuums. You'd have to hold a gun to my head to get me to use one of those. Even then, I'd have to put some long hard thought to it.

[SusanB]

Back in the dark ages (when I was in elementary school), I was with my mom and her friend at our house. Mom's friend said she had to go, get ready and iron something to wear. I piped up, in a mystified voice: "What's an 'iron'??"

Yes, I didn't even know what an iron was. And although I haven't managed to keep that level of blissful ignorance, my current standing is to apply an iron to clothing once every two years.

Alan P - ironing Hawaiian shirts seems to me like it might be a mortal sin. Kinda like wasting good wine or chocolate. Don't do it! The Dry Cleaner irons DH's work shirts, and other wrinklable stuff is hung immediately upon dryer stopping. I'm told that the steam refresh on dryers works well, too (not that I've actually tried ours).

[Mo]

Ironing was my most dreaded chore as a teenager. My mother-in-law and four sisters-in-law all keep their ironing board permanently set up and iron their clothes before they get dressed in the morning EVERY SINGLE DAY. Ugh. They don't understand me and the fact that my iron only comes out of the deep dark closet a few times a year when I have to press the hem on the pants I just shortened to fit. Thank you Ruth Benerito.

[Sheila Connolly]

My grandmother ironed the family's underwear, and I learned how to iron at her knee, pre-permanent press. Believe it or not, I asked for an iron for Christmas this past year--because the one I have was inaugurated to touch up my wedding dress (they built them to last in those days). This does not mean that I iron, except when sewing something (another lost art) or for my great-grandmother's linen tablecloth, that I haul out once a year for Thanksgiving. But I'm prepared!

My youngest vacuum I bought reconditioned in 1976. I have both my mother's and my grandmother's (Electrolux also built to last!). But I am so covering a Dyson!

[peach]

My mother taught me how to iron in the early seventies. The rules, not to be deviated from are as follows:
1. Sprinkle each piece of clothing with water using the water sprinkling head in a glass pop bottle. (Change this spray each piece with spray starch after their advent on the market.)
2. Place said articles of clothing in a heavy gauge vinyl zippered bag to rest for at least 10-20 minutes to allow for absorption of water or starch.
3. Remove one article of clothing or linen at a time. Remembering to shut bag after removal.
4. Iron collar first.
5. Iron shoulder area.
6. Iron sleeves
7. Iron body of shirt or blouse.

With five people in the family we had a lot of ironing to do in the days before polyester, which fortunately came into it's own during the seventies. It's not the ironing itself that I hate so much, but the effort of setting up the ironing board and iron.

Unless I really have my heart set on wearing an article of clothing that needs ironing I tend to leave said article in the closet or in the laundry basket. I might iron something a couple of times a year. Now if I'm sewing it comes out and stays out. Pressing is 75% of successful sewing.

I wasn't the only one in my family who was taught to iron and do laundry. My brothers were given lessons before heading off to college. I know that one of my brothers irons his shirts every morning when getting ready for work. My husband doesn't know how to iron. He can do laundry though.

[Sandi]

I do not enjoy ironing clothes, but I enjoy ironing fabric for quilting. Before cutting it I have to press all the creases out of it and make sure it is "square" (straight of grain, not running crooked). I have TWO ironing boards permanently set up because a group gets together at my house twice a month to sew. Ironing flat fabric is much easier than ironing clothing with darts and sleeves and cuffs and collars.

[Nancy Pickard]

What a handsome photo of RDJ.
Excuse me, what, Elaine? You want me to comment on what you wrote? There's writing?

[KarinNH]

My mother-in-law loathed ironing and sent all their laundry out when my husband was growing up. So, my husband, who is normally quite capable, panics whenever something needs to be ironed. On the rare occasion he has had to iron a shirt in a hotel room? It takes him forever, and he does it badly. He sends his clothes to the dry cleaners.

Both of my sons got lessons. They iron quite well and don't mind doing it. I find it soothing. Put on some music, set the board up in front of the windows, and away I go. But most of my clothes don't need it.

Sheila, I have a love/hate relationship with my Dyson. It is amazing on rugs, but apparently Mr. Dyson doesn't live in a house with any sort of clutter--going into corners or around things is a pain. I have kept my ancient Eureka canister, and every couple weeks haul it out and give the house a good going over.

[Diane Zimanski]

My awesome son in law irons. He says he finds it satisfying. He doesn't, of course, iron for the rest of the family, he is, after all a man. But since I feel vaguely guilty that my daughter was not taught to iron, I am grateful that he cares and takes care of himself. I can iron (my generation ironed sheets, pillowcases and even boxer shorts). I don't iron if I can help it, but things do look lovely ironed. Ambivalence.

[Holly Gault]

I sew, therefore I iron. Or at least I did when I had room to sew.

[Laura (in PA)]

I confess to being an ironer. My mother had me do her ironing when I was young, and she actually ironed her nightgowns. I'm not that fanatical, but I do iron every week, all my cotton work clothes - obviously more in the summer than winter. To me, a cotton shirt or blouse does not look wrinkle-free even if hung right out of the dryer.

My husband also irons all his golf shirts, dress shirts, and khaki pants himself. I guess we're an ironing family.

LOVE the picture of RDJ. I really like him - I hope he's really on the straight and narrow now.

[Hank Phillippi Ryan]

Okay, um, I LOVE to iron. Shirts, especially. I don't do it anymore, but I COULD and I actually enjoy it. You start with a pile of wrinkly damp stuff, and you finish with beautiful smooth stuff. (Peach, I was taught exactly the way you were!)

It's very rewarding and quantifiable.

True, though, ironing boards leave a lot to be desired. And if you've ever tried ironing left handed,it's a complete mess. Because of the cord. But that's another blog.

Unlike DUSTING, which I have never done, because, why?

[xena]

What a timely blog! Just yesterday I took my mother to K-Mart because her iron, which is always on the board in the garage had fallen of one too many times and they had Sunbeams on sale. She likes the Sunbeam because it is pointier than the other ones she told me.
My grandmother had a real flair for ironing. She'd sprinkle up my grandfather's white cotton shirts and then roll them up and put them in the freezer. When she had the time she'd iron one.
I sew therefore I iron. A truer statement was never uttered. I too iron before I put it on. Yo iron and then put it in the closet usually makes wrinkles all over again so it's a waste of time to do everything at once.
I really like cotton fabrics as the plastic ones might as well make feel like you're wearing Cling Wrap here in Florida. You are wrinkle free but soaked in your own juices!
I am in love with my cordless iron. If you iron for a living...and sometimes I am hired to work wardrobe...it will spoil you rotten. Kind of like a cordless phone. Imagine free roaming creases!
They make cordless vacuums too. Not that I'm a fanatic about vacuuming. I have a shop vac.

[Margaret Maron]

When our son decided he didn't like polyester, I bought him cotton shirts on the understanding that I had long ago ironed my last cotton shirt. He was a quick learner and now does most of the ironing in his family. The only ironing I enjoy are linen napkins. About 3 times a year, I dampen all the napkins in the morning and put them in the fridge in a plastic bag. In the evening, I adjust the board to my comfy chair's height, load up the DVD with a good movie and iron a few dozen napkins. Very relaxing.
Oh, and adjustable ironing boards make great temporary TV tables, laptop stands, etc.

[Paulina]

I dislike ironing very much but every week there are piles of if (our clothes plus kids’ stuff who change clothes three times per day).
I’m lucky enough as I could all house work to our dear full-time nanny who does also cleaning. But she was ill for one month so it’s me who iron. To do it I turn on a film I want to rewatch and iron quietly. The time passes by quite Ok like this.
The only problem are my husband’s office shirts, never understood how to iron them properly (I’ll try to pick up good advices from here). Each time when he looks at his shirt, he thanks me for a good intention and asks in a very gentle way (contrary, to his usual behavior))): “Honey, has this shirt been already ironed?

[Elaine Viets]

Peach, I ironed by the same decress that you did.
Marie, the sacrifice you made for the children -- what a woman.
And who knew TLC had so many Iron Men?

[Ramona]

I iron, because I like to wear ironed clothing.

When I was young, my grandmother used to mix homemade starch, dampen our bedsheets in them, roll them up and put them in the ice box for a day, then iron them. Nothing compares to those old, heavy cotton sheets, smooth and smelling of starch. I still iron some of my vintage pillowcases, but I don't do the starch thing.

[Barbara O'Neal]

Laura, my mother loves to iron, too. She's always well-pressed and presented, so much so that the young women she works with at B&N asked her how she did it. They were amazed that she *ironed*.

I remember long hot afternoons at my grandma's house when she sprinkled the clothes with water (in Colorado, they dried out too fast if you didn't) and we watched movies on Dialing for Dollars and ironed together. I liked handkerchiefs and pillow cases, but nothing tricky like shirts. I will iron now, but only if the dryer doesn't take out the wrinkles.

[Harley]

I love to iron -- but only in a hotel room. At home, life's too short. Elaine, just call on me, sister, the next time you think the ironing board is winning. I will wrestle it back into its closet. It might be my greatest skill.

I remember my grandma had a mangle. (Can that possibly be the correct word? Mangle?) It looked like a medieval torture device. The women in my family weren't kidding around when it came to wrinkles.

[Pam aka SisterZip]

I still have the faint markings of a scar where I burned my inner forearm with the iron. I was doing my dad's cotton boxers & his handkerchiefs, set the iron on the cord by mistake and over it tipped. Nasty blister & scar for years. But it taught me a valuable lesson...be careful where you set the hot iron.

When you sew, you iron. Absolutely true.

I pop in a movie and just jump into the hot pool. My ironing board is set up permanently in my craft/sewing/extra bedroom. If we need to use it for company, I can put it away.

Unfortunately Dear Hubby likes his Hawaiian shirts ironed. Heathen.

[Debby]

I have an iron, but more for my craft projects....whenever I get around to them. My latest was creating tshirt iron-ons for the DASH in April as I had to have photos of my brother and my cousin showing why I promote organ & tissue donation (didn't need to add a photo of my since I was the wearer).

I do try to hide the iron whenever possible, as my dad has to wear his Marine Corps outfit for funerals and parades and therefore needs to be crisp...but he has no respect for my stuff, so I prefer to do the ironing. It will save me money in the long run, as if he breaks it he advises me that "it broke. You will need to replace it." LOL.

Oh, and I guess my mom taught me and my brother how to iron. I don't remember any rules, but maybe they are so ingrained?

[Elaine Viets]

The last time I used my iron, I had to dust it. It came with our condo and obviously wasn't a prized possession of the previous owner. I used it to iron the ribbons on a decorative wall hanging.

[Karen in Ohio]

Elaine, this blog has me picturing a lot of wrinkled backbloggers wandering around.

My mother also rolled up the ironing, and kept it in the fridge this time of year, so it didn't mold. And, I suspect, so it would be more pleasant to iron, pre-air conditioning. I used to love to iron, but for the last 26 years, ever since we have had a first-floor laundry room, I've put everything in the dryer for 15-20 minutes, then taken out the stuff that needed attention and hung it up, then put the rest in to dry the rest of the way.

I not only sew, but I taught sewing, and I was a sewing editor for an online crafts magazine (sadly, a casualty of the dot com bust). Because of my, ahem, exalted position, companies sent all kinds of goodies to me, including a wonderful Rowenta steam tank iron. This little gem has a two-quart water tank that creates steam, with a long, heavy cord that goes to a lightweight iron. The iron is light because the water is a good three feet away, and it makes steam that can shoot across the room. I use it mostly to iron table linens, usually once a year. Another wonderful freebie, which I'm afraid is no longer made, is a fabulous table-top ironing pad, 5' X 3', that goes on top of a big cutting table. It's so much easier to use than a measly, wobbly little ironing board, it almost makes ironing an easy job.

When I was teaching one of the kids in my classes, the youngest one I ever had besides my own children, was gungho about everything to do with sewing. As part of their lessons, the kids learned how to use an iron, even at the age of seven, which this girl was. Her mother came in one day and praised me up and down for teaching Eva to iron, saying now she could do all the family ironing! Uh. Not the reason I was teaching her!

I guess it worked out okay. Eva went on to graduate from Rhode Island School of Design, and now has a degree in fashion design, one of the few designers who can actually sew.

For all of you who covet the Dyson, don't do it! A way better alternative is the Hoover Windtunnel canister, http://tiny.cc/366sr I was fed up with my upright vacuum, and bought the Hoover because it was light enough to haul up and down the steps in my two-story house, and it doesn't use a bag. Unbelievably good. Vacuuming the first room, which had been cleaned just a few days before, the entire dust cup (which holds about a quart or so of dirt) was full. I was shocked. Since then I've bought a second one, it's that good, and took the upright to the farm.

Harley, mangles are even better for ironing tablecloths. You need only position the cloth a couple times to get the whole thing. Wish I had room for one. Every linen tablecloth in my collection would be pristine, instead of waiting for ironing day all the time.

[Karen in Ohio]

P.S. Using an iron during sewing is called pressing, because it's a different technique. Instead of gliding the iron over the fabric, the iron is placed on it. To reposition, the iron is lifted and placed again. This keeps the fabric grain straight, especially on cut pieces.

[Diana in STL]

I also had relatives who ironed underwear and sheets. Mom used to iron sheets before "permanent press" but she didn't iron our underwear.

When I was a kid I used to like to iron and my brother's wife would give me $1 a basket. I still have a metal sprinkler top you put in a soda bottle.

Now I only iron when I am going on a trip - why I haven't a clue. It has become a ritual, I iron then pack. Of course the clothes get wrinkled but that doesn't bother me I don't re-iron at the hotel.

I was going to DC in May and started to get the iron out of the closet and it wasn't there. Since I was pretty sure no one had broken into my house and just taken the iron I was on a quest to find it. I finally thought to look in the basement and there it was right where I left it when I ironed the seams of the cushion covers I was making last December.

[marie]

An unfortunate incident occurred involving an iron and a pregnant lady..that would be me.
I was in a hurry to get to my doctor and was ironing feverishly and all of a sudden the iron hit my pregnant stomach and voila..a brand on my bare tummy.
When the doctor did the routine exam he looked at the iron brand on my stomach and shook his head. I got out of there without a lecture about household duties and fled to my office where I took comfort in my surroundings.

[Edie]

I like the feel of cotton, so I iron. I don't mind it. I would rather iron than cook. Any day.

[Elaine Viets]

"Elaine, this blog has me picturing a lot of wrinkled backbloggers wandering around."
Karen, I hope you're talking about our clothes.

[Holly Gault]

My grandmother lived in her mother's Chicago boarding house around the turn of the [last] century. She told of having a white linen twelve-gore skirt that she ironed with flat irons heated on the wood kitchen range. We're talking Chicago summers before the days of air conditioning, folks. Doesn't thinking about that make you a little cooler?

[Deb]

When I was growing up, I used to beg my mother to give me things to iron. Yep.(She must have brainwashed me, because I know that she hated to iron!) I found it to be very rewarding to watch the wrinkles disappear. We did NOT, however, iron underwear or bed linens in our home. I was shocked, as a high school student, to see my best friend's aunt ironing her adult daughter's underwear. Why would ANYONE iron underwear? And why would anyone old enough to hold an iron in her hand have her mother do her ironing for her?

When I was in college, I decided that ironing took up too much of my time and I started to iron only the parts of my clothing that showed; if I wore a sweater over a blouse, only the blouse collar got ironed.

I can only vaguely remember the last time I ironed at home: I know I ironed a dress in a hotel room on April 30 of this year. Before that? I don't remember! I remove clothing from the dryer the minute the dryer stops, and I hang up everything immediately.

Peach, I learned to iron the same way you did! We must have been raised by moms from the same generation!

[Laura (in PA)]

I adore my Dyson Animal. Just sayin.

[Jill W.]

I am another weirdo who likes to iron. It is my favorite chore. I wear a lot of linen and my DH needs ironed clothes for work. that much dry cleaing is not in our budget so I iron. I like it because of the instant gratification that someone else mentioned. On Sundays, I usually pull out what we need for the week, pop in a DVD or watch what I have accumulated on the DVR and my DH and DD leave me alone for the duration. Ahhh....

[Mary Stella]

I intensely dislike ironing. Luckily, I don't have to do it very often. Most of what I wear down here in the Keys can be de-wrinkled by a quick turn in the dryer and swift removal from same.

Generally, I only really need to iron for conferences and writer group meetings when clothes wrinkled from being packed in a suitcase. At conferences, I set up the ironing board and iron, remove clothes from suitcase, press them and hang them. I pretty much do everything at once.

[DebbraSue]

I started out ironing my dad's hankies -- and making lots of little piles of them all crisp and neat and square.

I did a lot of the family laundry when I was in my teens and I know ironing was part of it, but don't recall anything special except the sprinkler top.

I have an ironing board that has more of a stub nose than a long pointy one and even though I have to make the covers for it, I won't get rid of it. It has a stand for the iron off the side and a cord holder that keeps the cord up high, not down on the board. I also have a Rowenta and love it. I do ironing about twice a month, especially if I don't get to the dryer in time. Plus as mentioned earlier, when sewing you must press as you go. That was drilled into me during 7th grade home-ec and you really can tell the difference in the finished product.

small hi-jack -- ALWAYS unplug your iron when finished with it, even if it is an auto shut-off. After toasters it is the next applicance most likely to start a house fire. (Fire Chief Z of BMSLP FD)

Laura (in PA) I LOVE my Dyson Animal too. I have a black lab mix and it gets up all that fluff and stuff with no problem. I like that the attachments are all right there and the hose is really long.

[peach]

One of the first lessons I give to my 4-H Sewing Club students is how to press seams. Absolutely none of the other leaders takes the time to teach how to correctly set the stitches in a seam or even let most of the kids near an iron. Mother's coming in to pick up their kids are amazed when they see their children using an iron.

A sewing night at 4-H means I lug two sewing machines, two storage boxes filled with my sewing and pressing aids and sometimes my serger. 4-H has many sewing aids and machines, but they don't have pressing hams, rolls, my little metal tool to measure and press hems, tube turners and the list can go on and on. All the little things that make sewing and pressing much easier. Before we purchased irons to keep with the 4-H supplies I would even lug my Rowenta back and forth. It's the best iron I've ever owned.

[gaylin in Vancouver]

In 1984 when I left my ex - he kept the iron. He loved to iron. It was 25 years later that I bought an iron!

I have been putting off getting a new vacuum for years. I now have 2 hand me down vacuums, one canister, one upright and if I want a good vacuuming job done, I do have to use both.

I used to do a lot of embroidery, I loved finishing a piece and pressing it, always made it look so professional.

[Reine]

I remember Mémère heating up her cast-iron iron on her old black cast-iron wood-burning stove. Amazing. But that's what she did.

[Elaine Viets]

12-gore skirts! I had one of those. Took forever to iron it with a steam iron. Don't even want to think about attacking those pleats with a flat iron. In the summer.
Mary Stella, I've learned to wait by the dryer and grab my shirts as soon as it shuts off. It requires quick reflexes.

[Karen in Ohio]

Dry cleaning is fine, if you don't mind the fumes from the chemicals they use. I don't care for it, myself, and will go to great lengths to avoid using them. I wash my large collection of wool sweaters in the washer (in a very special way, and with a very special woolwash--NOT Woolite!!!), and only get them cleaned once a year, right before they're ready to go into the cedar chest for the warm months of the year.

Love linen, hate wrinkled linen. When I've sewn with it I learned to interline it with silk organza. No more wrinkles!

[Elaine Viets]

TLC is clearly divided between pro and anti-ironing factions. Just as long the the pro-ironing lovers don't try to convert me.

[Storyteller Mary]

I do own an iron, and I think I know where it is (I took it into the Y once when they needed to iron some tableclothes -- I live closest). If people object to random wrinkles in my clothes, too bad; they are just as natural as the wrinkles underneath the clothes . . .

[Bev]

I iron every week. It's a great time to catch up on all the shows that are on the DVR. I also sew and if anyone has ever seen a Job's Daughter robe they would understand why I'm really good at ironing. Those babies have to be wrinkle free and they are satin which is a pain. I would love to have that Rowena iron. I broke my last one and have been settling for cheapies. It's just not the same.
I have also have a Dyson vacuum. I've never used it because I break all the vacuums in the house. That's my husband's job.

[Reine]

I fondly remember the first time I said, "Iron it yourself."

[Jody]

Ironing. Hmmmm. I remember learning to iron. I still miss ironed pillowcases, but that was when they were 100% cotton. Don't iron anything now, except when I forget & buy something that's all cotton. Well, I do iron when I'm patching something. Yes, I still have a sewing machine (it must be 30 years old now). It's used to fix seams that come undone.
The ironing board is up at all times in my upstairs room, but if I need to use it, first must be emptied of all that has been piled on it.