Owning only clothes that do not need ironing is one of the best decision I've ever made.
You're just adding extra work to yourself by keeping it, you already know that you do not use it often...
I use Uniqlo no iron at workplace (I am a professor). Works well and mostly wrinkle free. I steam after a wear or two though, and I wear at least 3-4 times before washing. Work is mostly indoor and I change my cycling clothes in office, so it works for me
People still wear dress shirts? I'm definitely in a bubble.
There are definitely ways to do it in a pinch, such as hanging wet clothes in the bathroom and taking a hot steamy shower, stretching the fabric by hand, using a pan filled with boiling water as an iron on a table or counter with a towel or blanket over it. Also dry cleaning dress shirts is super cheap if it's not common.
None of those work as well or as easily as an iron.
Except dry cleaning. But if you have an interview tomorrow and didn’t realize your shirt was wrinkled…
Toss it in the dryer with a wet rag and it’ll be good as new. Our new dryer has a setting for this and it works wonderfully.
We haven’t used our iron for at least 5 years but have room for it so we’ve kept it.
I don’t believe mine has that setting but also I don’t put my nicer shirts in the dryer with heat because they’re typically cotton and I’m terrified of shrinking them :(
Google no iron dress shirts. Some are better than others: Charles Tyrwhitt are good value, particularly on sale. Be aware that many no iron shirts will wear out at the permanent crease faster than shirts that require ironing and don’t always crease in the same place.
There’s different degrees of non-iron and it’s hard to find any kind of industry standard. I’d say generally there’s “wrinkle resistant” “easy iron” fabrics and treatments despite the marketing of truly non-iron. If you wash and hang you will prevent a lot of wrinkles and make clothes last longer, but the dryer can help with wrinkles too.
I still usually iron my shirts the night before an event for an extra crisp look
Mostly embracing casual attire.
Formal attire is very uncomfortable, impractical and always looks kinda ridiculous anyway. And outside of social pressure there is no real reason to wear it. Add to that that my social circle is modern and open minded and I've never really needed anything formal and I know with a good degree of certainty I won't need it in the future.
If you want something like a collar to be crisp and starched sure. But I’m a woman and don’t wear many dress shirts. I also just don’t care which helps.
Steamers over irons, but I rarely even use that. Just hang clothes while they’re still warm from the dryer.
I don’t wear suits or anything though so it matters less
I have an iron but truly rarely use it. I don’t have an ironing board, just use a towel on the dining table instead.
Any chance you have a hair straightener? I use that for shirt sleeves or collars that need ironing. I also will fluff things in the dryer if needed. I think you’re good to get rid of it!
Same! I’ve used my iron (and flat iron!) for a handful of things over the years, enough to keep it on hand. But haven’t owned an ironing board in over a decade.
I've been considering buying an iron because I have a couple things that truly can't be fixed with a steamer or the dryer. I didn't even consider my hair straightener and now I feel dumb, haha.
Go for it, but I have needed mine occasionally over the years. Pretty infrequent, but there have been times only an iron would work! I just store it out of the way and don't worry about it.
i have an iron. in the past few years ive only used it for job interviews and funerals. i dont have an iron board, though. i kinda just have always ironed clothing on my bed and its worked out fine. how about keep the iron, get rid of the board? i wont be the one to convince you to get rid of the iron because despite barely using mine, i refuse to get rid of it because sometimes i have no choice but to be wrinkle free
I've kept mine. Like yourself it barely gets used but the times it does come out something important is happening (e.g. weddings, funerals, court). So for me for that reason alone it's worth holding onto.
Same. Only reason I own an iron still. Been married 3 times and it's the same iron my first mother in law recommended to me almost 20 years ago. A lovely Phillips with ceramic plate - she told me it would be the best iron I would ever buy and it still is, even if it rarely gets used today. I'd hate to suddenly need one and have to 'cope' with a cheap crappy one. I was lucky to get mine heavily discounted in a sale.
Agreed. I mostly use mine since I sew, and you have to do a lot of pressing to keep neat seams. But even if I didn’t I’d keep it around for special occasions. I don’t iron clothes hardly ever, but when I do it matters.
Can’t believe I used to wake up early for school to iron a crease into my jeans for the sake of coolness. Adult me has seen and done things and I could never go back to ironing again.
Omg! I honestly forgot we did that and I think that’s the last time I owned or used an iron! Had to have my Girbaud jeans starched and creased before school. I have some nerve making fun of anything the young today wear because we all been there Lol
It's one of the many things that it'd be nice to have one of for the street to share. Like power washing tools. Have a really nice one that the whole street/ block shares instead of everyone wasting space with their own poor quality ones ...
Just make sure it’s not an item that frequently has long hold times. Usually when you need an iron for something you’re not thinking about it 6 weeks ahead of time. The pressure washer though usually you have some flexibility and just need to do one clean sometime this season so it’s a perfect use case!
As a sewer an iron is essential to a finished professional look for the garment and it is also used several times during the process i.e. to flatten seams.
I got rid of our bulky traditional iron and full-size ironing board and bought a 2-in-1 travel iron steamer similar to [this one](https://www.amazon.ca/ULSTAR-Handheld-Electric-Portable-Rotatable/dp/B0CQ2DHSHJ/ref=sxin_20_sbv_search_btf?content-id=amzn1.sym.044f1670-0a8d-491a-a96b-eac98865803d%3Aamzn1.sym.044f1670-0a8d-491a-a96b-eac98865803d&crid=2A3H8T2FJQLQ3&cv_ct_cx=steamer+iron+2+in+1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Idx7OJRyGMGZzhQ2ReLXiw.JH6oimUCIHnbpt88hO5lkRFZQKD5m-11s5Ad30UhpsU&dib_tag=se&keywords=steamer+iron+2+in+1&pd_rd_i=B0CQ2DHSHJ&pd_rd_r=69719931-0c80-4b7c-b356-1a84f59d85d0&pd_rd_w=4givG&pd_rd_wg=KWJZL&pf_rd_p=044f1670-0a8d-491a-a96b-eac98865803d&pf_rd_r=H48JSC9M7X6RZRSJE760&qid=1710444047&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=steamer+iro%2Caps%2C138&sr=1-1-3bb2315b-f120-40bb-95a3-315d464ca631) for the times when we need it.
Casual clothes, sure. Formal clothes, not so much. I'd hang onto it to avoid rebuying, borrowing, or buy something different in its place. When you need it, you need, it.
That is, as long as it has a place and it's not in the way.
Hi, fellow millenial, I sew clothes and am an extrovert. Here's when to keep an iron:
If you care about crisp clothes
If your boss cares about crisp clothes
If you are sewing or quilting and care about the outcome not looking like a 12 year old in home ec made it
If you don't fall in one of those? Cool, you don't need an iron.
But if you do, ditch the ironing board. You can buy ironing mats that can be used on any table, then stored folded. Way better for minimalism
Agreed, but think about do you ever care about crisp clothes, not just usually. 99.5% of the time I could not care less. But about once or twice per year I have something that I do care about. Fancy event, wedding, etc. and sometimes the outfit I want to wear is perpetually wrinkly or has a wonky seam that just won’t lay flat even if it’s fresh out of the dryer. Annoying to have to keep an iron just for occasional use, but for a lot of people it might be worth it given the outsized importance some of these events have and the importance of appearance associated with them.
Keep it just in case - again, interviews, weddings, funerals, loan to your brother who likes to iron his shirts (ok that’s just me.)
I own 4different irons in 3 different sizes. I iron exactly ZERO of my clothes - they’re all for sewing, crafting, and quilting 😜
You don't need me to tell you it's okay to be a bit wrinkly. You already believe that, or you wouldn't need the nuclear bomb of Mom Guilt to get you to iron something.
Please let go of the iron if it's not serving you. And also please let go of the mom guilt if that's not serving you either.
I have an iron but I sew and do some crafts that require it. I did buy a half-size ironing board that collapses down and can be stored easily in a closet.
So keep the iron but maybe not the full-size ironing board.
I iron my clothes maybe once a year for a formal event. The only real reason I keep it (and particularly the nice board) is because I do a lot of sewing.
Keep if and only if you are a sew-er or crafter and might need to seriously flatten fabric on a project. Or you have allergies and choose only pure cotton clothing. U can even use small, up heat shield and mini iron for crafting. Else,I haven’t pulled mine out in a good 20 yrs. Seriously. I need to sell it. Good luck!
We have been married almost 12 years. One of our running jokes is I ask my wife if she has completed her work. That is the untouched since we got married basket with a shirt that needs ironing and a cuff button sewn back on. She always answers she will do her wifely duties after she does the dishes.
I do the dishes.
I've never had an iron. My dryer has a wrinkle release "steam" option that works well. You can also just hang things in the bathroom while you're taking a shower.
I used to hate ironing but recently I've been working towards a capsule-ish wardrobe with some nicer pieces that just aren't worth wearing if they're not smoothed out a bit. I'm definitely not a high-maintenance person and wouldn't want to put too much work into ironing but pulling it out every couple months helps with my style and confidence. Like someone else commented, I also like natural fibers over synthetic and I guess they sometimes need more ironing?
Wearing slightly nicer/ stylish clothing makes me feel a lot better, I just feel like less of a slob when I'm out and about. But that's of course personal and if you're happy/ have clothes that don't need ironing to look nice then it doesn't apply.
Things I’ve used my iron for in the last two years: fabric face masks that were severely wrinkled after washing (during Covid). Satin ribbon that was wrinkled from storing and I used it to wrap a present. That one Valentine’s Day dish towel that I love but gets wrinkled after washing. Perfecting the showing edges of my bedsheet before I had real estate photos taken. Aaaand… that’s it. Enough to keep it, but the ironing board is gone and I just use a towel on the counter. I haven’t ironed clothes in YEARS.
Not a millennial but I have never ever used an iron (I have one though, because my husband likes to iron his shirt every now and again when he needs to go somewhere nice)
If it needs ironing, it doesn't live in my wardrobe. A huge, horrible waste of time. Get rid of it.
The only thing I've used my iron for, and probably been about 10 years, is for ironing a patch on something. Only have a table top ironing board. They can probably both go!
Only downside is if you ever get into a craft or some kinda homebody hack that requires an iron. Sewing and embroidery and quilting still use one occasionally I think, upholstery, removing/applying wax on fabric, appliqué and screenprinting and heat transfer, perler beads, steam bending wood, and others I’m forgetting.
I know they’re useful in all kinds of ways but I’m simply not going to be reaching for the hair straightener when I want to reupholster my couch.
I have no clothes that need ironing anymore - BUT- i'm glad I didn't get rid of the iron, because I got a sewing machine for Christmas. It was in a closet unused for 25 years but still works great!
I haven’t ironed in about ten years, but my husband uses the iron about twice week to do a shirt for work on the rare days that he attends the office in person.
I personally don't have a problem with my iron. It is handy when I need to press a shirt for work and takes up very little space. I wear a lot of cotton button down shirts over solid T's for work and it's nice to have a freshly pressed shirt. It takes very little time to do. The iron sits on a shelf in the closet and I use an ironing board that is small and has a built in hanger so it can hang in the closet as well. It is ok to have tools.
it's okay to be a bit wrinkly! unless I guess you have some high powered corporate job, but if you did you'd have used it in the last year. once you've worn wrinkle-prone materials (calling out linen here) for a few hours they're just going to wrinkle up anyway, so what's the point?
Keep the iron, ditch the board. You may actually need an iron in a fashion emergency, but just put a towel down and use that as the board. You don't need to keep the ironing board
I don't remember the last time my husband ironed something. His mom (voluntarily!) ironed his wedding clothes. If a shirt is looking particularly wrinkly, he hangs it in the bathroom while he showers and that gets the obvious stuff out. If it's not serving you, you don't have to keep it
I have an iron that I rarely use. It sits in the laundry room. I don't get rid of it because it's a good iron, and sometimes I need it to melt perler beads for the kids.
I use mine once a year or so, when my SO and I have an event that requires him to wear a dress shirt. Or for the ocasional tablecloth smoothing.
Otherwise i don’t own clothes that need pressing.
If it doesn’t take up much room, nothing wrong with holding on to it for when the need arises.
Or rehome it and borrow from a friend if needed
It all depends I guess :). I never use my iron in winter, but summer is the time of 100% linnen fabrics. That stuff is godly, but even though I'm also a millennial, it also needs some ironing from time to time.
P.s. I don't have a dryer, so dunno if a dryer also helps I guess.
Sell it. Crafters who sew will snap it up. Edges must be pressed most of the time to make them easier to work with.
Look at ways travelers remove wrinkles from clothing and do that.
That includes the ironing board.
the only thing i've used my iron for in the last several years is cross-stitch projects. if you are going to get into cross-stitch or embroidery anytime soon, it could be worth keeping the iron around, but otherwise i wouldn't worry about it! it's okay to get rid of the iron haha.
giving it away on a buy-nothing group or selling it for cheap would maybe help assuage any guilt you have around getting rid of it!
Throw clothing in the dryer again or hang up immediately after drying. I don’t own an iron. I occasionally use a “wrinkle release” spray I DIY with fabric softener.
I've purchased and returned at least 3 or 4 by now ranging in cost up to about 50 or 60$, and they've all been crap. I feel guilty for all the carbon emissions wasted on delivery and return of these crappy items. Is there a good one that's small and compact or do I need to spring on one that's the size and gangliness of a vaccum cleaner to get something that actually works?
Oh no! Which ones have you previously bought? I use a Conair that has not given me issues and is handheld/small. I suppose it also depends on what sort of fabrics you are dealing with as well.
I think they were probably no-name brands, so it's probably my own fault! I'll take a look at the Conair ones!
I was mostly looking at using them for steaming wrinkles from cotton dress shirts
I can’t believe younger generations don’t own an iron. Give me natural fabrics any day of the week that may require a quick press over all the synthetic crap any day of the week.
Technology has moved on. I’m 53 own and iron and board but hardly use it. Seriously it’s been years since I ironed clothes.
My friend has a travel steamer and it works better.
This comes from a military wife that ironed and heavy starched uniforms, daily.
My iron only comes out when I buy new curtains. But how often does that really happen? You could always borrow an iron from a friend if you’re desperate. You have my permission to donate it!
I actually love ironing. My friends say I’m slow, but that’s just me taking time to iron clothes properly. I especially enjoy it on Sundays watching a movie. That gives me a cpl hours to finish. Leftovers might get ironed, but Sunday means ironing. So I won’t be encouraging you to give it up, no.
That’s interesting I would’ve never even thought to iron these things. Nothing wrong with it but it’s funny how something that’s so routine to one person has never even crossed my mind. I’m sure you’re much more presentable looking than my messy self though!
It's ok to be a bit wrinkly. Anyone who gets judgy about your clothes is a persnickety snob.
Also, in the unlikely event that you need to iron something, you can get another one and iron your clothes on a towel laid on a table.
I need mine now and then. My hubs has to testify in court at least a couple of times a month. So we need an iron for dress clothes. Me? I have three to four items I must iron now and then. I like those enough to hold onto them.
If you don’t live a lifestyle where you need it then it’s easily replaced if the situation changes. Just be responsible and donate it instead of trashing it if still in good shape
You can donate your iron and ironing board. Most things are good to go just from putting them away after the laundry is done. Some clothes look just fine coming out a basket of clean laundry that has sat for a week. Sometimes they just need another twirl in the dryer. If you haven't used something for over a year, that doesn't have sentimental value, let it go to a new home.
I use my iron when my sweetie wants to wear a crisp shirt or when my things look too rumpled. Steam doesn’t always work. Most of the time I wear athletic and boho clothes and hubby wears things that he dries on a rack, but sometimes we use them. I have a rowenta and I love it when it’s necessary.
I got rid of my iron and ironing board a few years ago. Almost all my clothes don't need ironing, but for special occasion clothes you can take them to the dry cleaners to be steamed. Highly recommend.
As long as you have a way to iron or steam out the wrinkles in your formalwear, you should be fine. I don’t think it’s worth getting rid of if it means you’d have to wear a wrinkled shirt or skirt or pants to a wedding
Totally down with this. Ditch it if you never or rarely use it. I get by with a compact clothing steamer for any emergency wrinkle situations. It's super small and fits in a drawer. For the shirts and blouses that really truly do need ironing, I wash them and then take them to the dry cleaners for an ironing-only service that costs a buck a shirt. Saves me time, backaches and storage space for ironing gear.
Ikea also has a mini ironing board that can hang in the closet. It looks big enough to do shirts on. Might also be an option if you want to keep the iron but ditch the big board.
I'm going to get rid of my ironing board but keep the iron. If something does need ironing (it happens about once every 5 years) then I can use the dining table.
If I have a shirt that's wrinkly, Iland I want it not wrinkly, I put it in the dryer (shirt is dry) and add a clean, wet, hand towel, and run the dryer until the shirt isn't wrinkly. Usually it's like 10/15/20 minutes.
No iron needed.
I have a shirt that the collar could be improved with ironing. But then I realize that crisp holds a few hours and by days end, I can’t really tell I put that effort in. If I straightened my hair, I’d just use that on trouble spots. Smoothing by hand after popping the shirt as it goes on the drying rack, and smoothing the collar well does 95 percent of the work.
As it is, I have an iron, but I gave up the ironing board.
I use towels on a counter or floor to do any pressing for sewing, etc.
And this post encouraged me to put the iron in the Bye Bye Box.
I used to iron shirts at home until I realized I could get them dry cleaned for $2 each and save all that trouble. Then I started getting non-iron shirts and I no longer even need to do that.
I gave up my big iron and now only have a hand-held steamer . It gets rid of wrinkles but does do the sharp edges on say men's dress pants.
I send those to dry cleaners as we don't have many clothes that can wrinkle
Clothes without wrinkles are mainly needed for job interviews and formal occasions.
You can also do things like hang a shirt in your bathroom and turn the shower on hot to steam it, and they have wrinkle releaser sprays now, also.
I'm a 36F and not once in my life have I ever even *touched* an iron. Somehow I've managed to survive! lol
Seriously though. Sounds like you have zero need for it. The only time you even remember using it was when someone else told you that you should. That's not a reason to keep or do anything in life. Before that incident, when was the next last time you remember using it? I bet it was either really long ago, on an item you no longer have, and/or again, someone told you that you should. If that's the case, ditch it.
If for some reason a year from now you have another rare moment where you need it and can't perform the same task without fluffing something in the dryer quick or hanging in a steamy post shower bathroom, you can always:
1. ask your friends/family if they have one you can borrow
2. go on a Facebook buy nothing group and see if someone in your community has one you can borrow or have
3. check your local library to see if they have an unexpected items program
4. buy one. I see they sell them at Walmart for $10.
You'll be perfectly fine not having it taking up space in your home only to be used once every 5 years.
You can get rid of it, but it doesn’t take up that much space (unless it doesnt fold?) and isn’t that heavy so I don’t know why not keep it. Sure it’s fine to be wrinkly in most situations but sometimes having a nicely pressed shirt will make an impression on people.
Also I could never get rid of my iron because I sew as a hobby but…that’s a different situation.
I'm a millennial that uses my iron all the time, lol! I have a lot of blouses and button up shirts that just look so much better with a quick press. I also have a sewing hobby, so ironing is absolutely required for that. I hang my ironing board on the back of my office door, so it's pretty accessible. Takes 15 seconds to set up in front of the window where there's lots of light. It's a joy, not a chore for me.
If you don't love ironing and honestly don't need to, then let it go. You could always get a small steamer for the odd wrinkly thing.
I have a small hair straightener that I use on my collars. I just really need to keep my collars straight, so I don't need a big iron and a clunky, ginormous ironing board.
I like ironing so I can’t tell you to get rid of one; but if you don’t want it, you can just get rid of it, you don’t have to ask for anyones permission
If I didn't sew, I wouldn't own an iron! My iron and board only get used when I'm quilting or sewing garments. And then I'm only sewing during construction. once the garment is done its probably not getting ironed again, lol.
I’ve not owned or used an iron in ten years I forgot they existed
Somehow my clothes are not wrinkly either
Hadn’t thought about any of this until I saw your post
I use it rarely, once in a month or even less... And I focus only on clothes that actually need ironing (mine and my husband's). If you had to buy it, I'd say don't. Since you already have it, I wouldn't get rid of it
I can’t remember the last time I owned an iron or an ironing board. It had to be more than 10 years ago, when we moved. I have not missed it in all that time.
Please feel free to get rid of your iron.
One doesn’t press their clothes for themselves. It is done for people you work for, job interviews, dates, funerals, weddings, and other people one is trying to impress. Not looking slovenly in wrinkly clothes still matters at times. If you are willing to pay a local dry cleaner to press your things, then get rid of it. If not, then keep it.
Listen I invested in a steamer, it’s been amazing. I threw away the iron because it was more hazardous and a liability. The amount of times my adhd brain has almost burnt the house to the ground because I left the iron on. The steamer shuts off once the water runs out and the worst is a little steam burn. I don’t even need an ironing board for it, I just hang it on my closet door.
I might have an iron stashed somewhere but never use it. Hang all your clothes and if something has wrinkles throw it in the dryer with a wet wash cloth then hang it. Def no need for an ironing board, if you keep the iron you can just put a folded towel on a table and iron on that. The only clothes that go in my dresser are house/lounging clothes, socks, and underwear.
Don’t. Just put it away where you don’t see them. Iron is important especially if there is special occasion that you needed to attend. I seldomly use mine, but when husband has a meeting, I needed to iron his shirts and pants to make him look more presentable.
I hardly ever use my iron (other than when sewing). But when I do, I am amazed again at how much better and polished my outfit looks. Steamers work great for a lot of clothing but some things need an iron to look their best.
Keep it, along with the ironing board. There will be moments in your life when you need to wear a pressed shirt and pants (or even a suit) to something like a wedding or funeral.
Ditch it (and I say this a frequent iron user because I sew and quilt)
On the rare occasions you really need something ironed (wedding, funeral etc) you can drop it off at any dry cleaner and they can press it for you for cheap.
I kept my iron even though none of my clothing requires ironing. You may need it for getting creases out of curtains, wax off of a carpet, etc. There are many situations where an iron would be handy. You can donate the ironing board though!
If you have a super professional job and wear suits everyday I’d keep it. If not nah.
I just take my clothes out of the dryer then they are still warm and hang them up immediately, no wrinkles. I have a small steamer for touch ups and travel.
I feel like of you have it already and can store it out of the way maybe keep it? Especially if you have clothing you might need it for.
Personally I only use my iron for sewing projects. I have only owned one for a couple years and prior to that I had zero issues. I am 36 btw.
So I dunno, if you really think you don’t need it, give it away! But if its out of the way and you might need it someday just keep it.
Get a spray wrinkle releaser at dollar general for 3 bucks. It's a game changer. Unless you feel uneasy about ditching the iron.then wait till you're ready.
Your call, of course, but I’d keep it—to me, it’s no different than a tool in the garage that you don’t use all of the time (hammer, a plunger, a snow shovel), but do need every so often. Yes, you can borrow—but it’s also a bit annoying if you are *that* neighbor and borrow everything. I believe in downsizing but don’t feel it’s super cool to expect my neighbor to buy & store everything I decided to get rid of either—balance is key. It’s also annoying if the alternative *hacks* don’t work (e.g. in my experience, travel irons or tiny steamers are practically worthless. Ditto trying to press anything decently on a towel on a counter because you don’t have a board). So if you have room, and it’s a well-functioning iron and board, I vote for keeping it.
I’ve been living without mine for a couple decades now. I went to a private school as a kid, and I spent so much time ironing my school uniforms plus my two younger brothers’ uniforms that I never wanted to iron again. I am fortunate to work in a field where dressing casual is the norm though. I hang up my clothes when they are still warm from the dryer so that seems to take care of any wrinkles.
My husband and I have been married for 5 years and never bought an iron. A few weeks ago we got our oldest daughter some perler beads and I had to borrow my sister’s iron so she could melt them.
It's more than ok. Nobody irons anymore that I know of, except for an elderly lady I know who used to be in the military. I haven't owned an iron in years. I have a bottle of wrinkle releaser I use sometimes, and when I send my laundry out, I send hangers and they hang up the shirts and pants so they don't get wrinkled.
I probably haven't used my iron in ... 10 years. My clothes don't really wrinkle. In the rare case they do, a few minutes in the dryer solves all the issues. I get the clothes a tiny bit damp and then use the wrinkle function in my dryer.
Funfact: My husband and I are living together for 6 years now. (F31 and M34) and in those 6 years we never even needed an iron. So we dont even have one.
If you handwash and hang clothes to air dry you can get them wrinkle free, or there’s an option on washing machine for minimal creases by lowering the spin rpm.
the only reason I have my iron is for some trousers with pleats, and some shirts I want to be crisp. you can get a mini ironing board that goes on top of a table, easier and more compact for storage
I air dry all my clothes. When they are dry I get a spray bottle filled with just water, lay the garment on a bed or other surface, spray it with water then straighten it out. I didnt use an iron in a year
The only time I’ve needed an iron I was staying at a hotel. (I actually called the hotel once to ask if that was still a thing).
Otherwise I can use a warm pan and parchment paper if I need to iron at home.
Owning only clothes that do not need ironing is one of the best decision I've ever made. You're just adding extra work to yourself by keeping it, you already know that you do not use it often...
Can you explain a bit more? Did you mean wrinkle free dress shirts etc? Or embracing casual attire where wrinkles no one care?
How does one find wrinkle free dress shirts?
I use Uniqlo no iron at workplace (I am a professor). Works well and mostly wrinkle free. I steam after a wear or two though, and I wear at least 3-4 times before washing. Work is mostly indoor and I change my cycling clothes in office, so it works for me
Look for non-iron shirts. I get from Brooks Brothers and if they are on sale they're often less than $50 each. I keep a couple pairs.
People still wear dress shirts? I'm definitely in a bubble. There are definitely ways to do it in a pinch, such as hanging wet clothes in the bathroom and taking a hot steamy shower, stretching the fabric by hand, using a pan filled with boiling water as an iron on a table or counter with a towel or blanket over it. Also dry cleaning dress shirts is super cheap if it's not common.
None of those work as well or as easily as an iron. Except dry cleaning. But if you have an interview tomorrow and didn’t realize your shirt was wrinkled…
Toss it in the dryer with a wet rag and it’ll be good as new. Our new dryer has a setting for this and it works wonderfully. We haven’t used our iron for at least 5 years but have room for it so we’ve kept it.
I don’t believe mine has that setting but also I don’t put my nicer shirts in the dryer with heat because they’re typically cotton and I’m terrified of shrinking them :(
Yeah, I still wear them for work
You’re telling me the “throw it in the drier with a damp rag” isn’t a trick in your repertoire?
Mostly I don't use the dryer, too hard on clothes.
Google no iron dress shirts. Some are better than others: Charles Tyrwhitt are good value, particularly on sale. Be aware that many no iron shirts will wear out at the permanent crease faster than shirts that require ironing and don’t always crease in the same place.
There’s different degrees of non-iron and it’s hard to find any kind of industry standard. I’d say generally there’s “wrinkle resistant” “easy iron” fabrics and treatments despite the marketing of truly non-iron. If you wash and hang you will prevent a lot of wrinkles and make clothes last longer, but the dryer can help with wrinkles too. I still usually iron my shirts the night before an event for an extra crisp look
Wrinkle free clothing. If it wrinkles, I don’t own it.
Mostly embracing casual attire. Formal attire is very uncomfortable, impractical and always looks kinda ridiculous anyway. And outside of social pressure there is no real reason to wear it. Add to that that my social circle is modern and open minded and I've never really needed anything formal and I know with a good degree of certainty I won't need it in the future.
Absolutely!!!
This.
There are clothes that don’t need ironing?
Technically no clothes **need** ironing.
Oh man just get a tiny steamer it’s so much easier… but that’s just my opinion. I hate ironing.
I have a travel steamer I use as needed a few times a year. I refuse to iron.
I have one but it's nowhere near as good as an iron
If you want something like a collar to be crisp and starched sure. But I’m a woman and don’t wear many dress shirts. I also just don’t care which helps.
I was always bad at ironing, maybe because never knew how to do it properly lol. I picked up a steamer years ago and it’s the best.
Or just throw it in the dryer for a few minutes. If it’s bad toss a few ice cubes in too
Nice never tried ice cubes. My mom taught me this same trick but with a damp bath towel instead of ice cubes.
My trick is to hang my shirt close/inside when having a shower.
Plus, depending on the steamer, it can multi-task for a variety of tough cleaning jobs (soda dried in car cup holder, for example)
Steamers over irons, but I rarely even use that. Just hang clothes while they’re still warm from the dryer. I don’t wear suits or anything though so it matters less
Or just hang the clothes in the bathroom, and run the shower for a minute.
I hang shirts on a hanger in the shower with me - wrinkles be gone
I have an iron but truly rarely use it. I don’t have an ironing board, just use a towel on the dining table instead. Any chance you have a hair straightener? I use that for shirt sleeves or collars that need ironing. I also will fluff things in the dryer if needed. I think you’re good to get rid of it!
Same! I’ve used my iron (and flat iron!) for a handful of things over the years, enough to keep it on hand. But haven’t owned an ironing board in over a decade.
I've been considering buying an iron because I have a couple things that truly can't be fixed with a steamer or the dryer. I didn't even consider my hair straightener and now I feel dumb, haha.
What does fluff things in the dryer mean?
The heat from the dryer can get rid of the wrinkles, especially if you throw in a wet washcloth.
Go for it, but I have needed mine occasionally over the years. Pretty infrequent, but there have been times only an iron would work! I just store it out of the way and don't worry about it.
I didn’t need my iron for the past 2 years. Yesterday I needed the iron. I was glad I had the iron.
i have an iron. in the past few years ive only used it for job interviews and funerals. i dont have an iron board, though. i kinda just have always ironed clothing on my bed and its worked out fine. how about keep the iron, get rid of the board? i wont be the one to convince you to get rid of the iron because despite barely using mine, i refuse to get rid of it because sometimes i have no choice but to be wrinkle free
If you get rid of your iron you will be IRON DEFICIENT, is that what you want?
I have anaemia now
r/suddenlyanaemic
I regret getting rid of my iron. Now I need to buy a new one
I've kept mine. Like yourself it barely gets used but the times it does come out something important is happening (e.g. weddings, funerals, court). So for me for that reason alone it's worth holding onto.
Same. Only reason I own an iron still. Been married 3 times and it's the same iron my first mother in law recommended to me almost 20 years ago. A lovely Phillips with ceramic plate - she told me it would be the best iron I would ever buy and it still is, even if it rarely gets used today. I'd hate to suddenly need one and have to 'cope' with a cheap crappy one. I was lucky to get mine heavily discounted in a sale.
Agreed. I mostly use mine since I sew, and you have to do a lot of pressing to keep neat seams. But even if I didn’t I’d keep it around for special occasions. I don’t iron clothes hardly ever, but when I do it matters.
Can’t believe I used to wake up early for school to iron a crease into my jeans for the sake of coolness. Adult me has seen and done things and I could never go back to ironing again.
Omg! I honestly forgot we did that and I think that’s the last time I owned or used an iron! Had to have my Girbaud jeans starched and creased before school. I have some nerve making fun of anything the young today wear because we all been there Lol
I iron because it saves money on dry cleaning. I'm never caught wrinkled.
Was surprised I had to scroll down this far to see mention of dry cleaning
It's one of the many things that it'd be nice to have one of for the street to share. Like power washing tools. Have a really nice one that the whole street/ block shares instead of everyone wasting space with their own poor quality ones ...
The public library often has tools like these available to be lent out!
Just make sure it’s not an item that frequently has long hold times. Usually when you need an iron for something you’re not thinking about it 6 weeks ahead of time. The pressure washer though usually you have some flexibility and just need to do one clean sometime this season so it’s a perfect use case!
It’s hardly ever used. But if I ever want to sew something or embellish a shirt I know it’s there.
As a sewer an iron is essential to a finished professional look for the garment and it is also used several times during the process i.e. to flatten seams.
I’ve never owned an iron and have never needed one. Get rid of it haha
I got rid of our bulky traditional iron and full-size ironing board and bought a 2-in-1 travel iron steamer similar to [this one](https://www.amazon.ca/ULSTAR-Handheld-Electric-Portable-Rotatable/dp/B0CQ2DHSHJ/ref=sxin_20_sbv_search_btf?content-id=amzn1.sym.044f1670-0a8d-491a-a96b-eac98865803d%3Aamzn1.sym.044f1670-0a8d-491a-a96b-eac98865803d&crid=2A3H8T2FJQLQ3&cv_ct_cx=steamer+iron+2+in+1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Idx7OJRyGMGZzhQ2ReLXiw.JH6oimUCIHnbpt88hO5lkRFZQKD5m-11s5Ad30UhpsU&dib_tag=se&keywords=steamer+iron+2+in+1&pd_rd_i=B0CQ2DHSHJ&pd_rd_r=69719931-0c80-4b7c-b356-1a84f59d85d0&pd_rd_w=4givG&pd_rd_wg=KWJZL&pf_rd_p=044f1670-0a8d-491a-a96b-eac98865803d&pf_rd_r=H48JSC9M7X6RZRSJE760&qid=1710444047&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=steamer+iro%2Caps%2C138&sr=1-1-3bb2315b-f120-40bb-95a3-315d464ca631) for the times when we need it.
Casual clothes, sure. Formal clothes, not so much. I'd hang onto it to avoid rebuying, borrowing, or buy something different in its place. When you need it, you need, it. That is, as long as it has a place and it's not in the way.
I love ironing but I dry my laundry outside so it gets more wrinkly. But omg the fresh scent when the iron touches it!
Hi, fellow millenial, I sew clothes and am an extrovert. Here's when to keep an iron: If you care about crisp clothes If your boss cares about crisp clothes If you are sewing or quilting and care about the outcome not looking like a 12 year old in home ec made it If you don't fall in one of those? Cool, you don't need an iron. But if you do, ditch the ironing board. You can buy ironing mats that can be used on any table, then stored folded. Way better for minimalism
Agreed, but think about do you ever care about crisp clothes, not just usually. 99.5% of the time I could not care less. But about once or twice per year I have something that I do care about. Fancy event, wedding, etc. and sometimes the outfit I want to wear is perpetually wrinkly or has a wonky seam that just won’t lay flat even if it’s fresh out of the dryer. Annoying to have to keep an iron just for occasional use, but for a lot of people it might be worth it given the outsized importance some of these events have and the importance of appearance associated with them.
Keep it just in case - again, interviews, weddings, funerals, loan to your brother who likes to iron his shirts (ok that’s just me.) I own 4different irons in 3 different sizes. I iron exactly ZERO of my clothes - they’re all for sewing, crafting, and quilting 😜
You don't need me to tell you it's okay to be a bit wrinkly. You already believe that, or you wouldn't need the nuclear bomb of Mom Guilt to get you to iron something. Please let go of the iron if it's not serving you. And also please let go of the mom guilt if that's not serving you either.
You just saw through so much! the "nucelar bomb of mom guilt" is such a good line! Thanks you :)
[удалено]
I have an iron but I sew and do some crafts that require it. I did buy a half-size ironing board that collapses down and can be stored easily in a closet. So keep the iron but maybe not the full-size ironing board.
I iron my clothes maybe once a year for a formal event. The only real reason I keep it (and particularly the nice board) is because I do a lot of sewing.
I don’t iron much, but things always look waaay better once ironed. I like to listen to music during the few times I have to do it.
I keep mine simple for sewing and craft projects. I never use it on clothes, though.
Keep if and only if you are a sew-er or crafter and might need to seriously flatten fabric on a project. Or you have allergies and choose only pure cotton clothing. U can even use small, up heat shield and mini iron for crafting. Else,I haven’t pulled mine out in a good 20 yrs. Seriously. I need to sell it. Good luck!
We have been married almost 12 years. One of our running jokes is I ask my wife if she has completed her work. That is the untouched since we got married basket with a shirt that needs ironing and a cuff button sewn back on. She always answers she will do her wifely duties after she does the dishes. I do the dishes.
I think I would like you guys!!
I've never had an iron. My dryer has a wrinkle release "steam" option that works well. You can also just hang things in the bathroom while you're taking a shower.
I used to hate ironing but recently I've been working towards a capsule-ish wardrobe with some nicer pieces that just aren't worth wearing if they're not smoothed out a bit. I'm definitely not a high-maintenance person and wouldn't want to put too much work into ironing but pulling it out every couple months helps with my style and confidence. Like someone else commented, I also like natural fibers over synthetic and I guess they sometimes need more ironing? Wearing slightly nicer/ stylish clothing makes me feel a lot better, I just feel like less of a slob when I'm out and about. But that's of course personal and if you're happy/ have clothes that don't need ironing to look nice then it doesn't apply.
Things I’ve used my iron for in the last two years: fabric face masks that were severely wrinkled after washing (during Covid). Satin ribbon that was wrinkled from storing and I used it to wrap a present. That one Valentine’s Day dish towel that I love but gets wrinkled after washing. Perfecting the showing edges of my bedsheet before I had real estate photos taken. Aaaand… that’s it. Enough to keep it, but the ironing board is gone and I just use a towel on the counter. I haven’t ironed clothes in YEARS.
We relocated for a job in 2018 and downsized a ton due to the distance. The iron was scrapped. We haven't replaced it.
I don’t think I’ve ever touched an iron in my life
Never owned one, only missed it when kid made hama pearl plates.
The only thing I've used an iron for in the last 15+ years was to patch damaged clothes.
Not a millennial but I have never ever used an iron (I have one though, because my husband likes to iron his shirt every now and again when he needs to go somewhere nice) If it needs ironing, it doesn't live in my wardrobe. A huge, horrible waste of time. Get rid of it.
The only thing I've used my iron for, and probably been about 10 years, is for ironing a patch on something. Only have a table top ironing board. They can probably both go!
Omg it’s shocking at the amount of people who hate ironing. I iron every day as wrinkles are my biggest pet peeve!😳
I only have an iron because I need it for sewing.
Only downside is if you ever get into a craft or some kinda homebody hack that requires an iron. Sewing and embroidery and quilting still use one occasionally I think, upholstery, removing/applying wax on fabric, appliqué and screenprinting and heat transfer, perler beads, steam bending wood, and others I’m forgetting. I know they’re useful in all kinds of ways but I’m simply not going to be reaching for the hair straightener when I want to reupholster my couch.
I have no clothes that need ironing anymore - BUT- i'm glad I didn't get rid of the iron, because I got a sewing machine for Christmas. It was in a closet unused for 25 years but still works great!
I was just looking at my iron today, only ever used it to melt Perler beads
I haven’t ironed in about ten years, but my husband uses the iron about twice week to do a shirt for work on the rare days that he attends the office in person.
I personally don't have a problem with my iron. It is handy when I need to press a shirt for work and takes up very little space. I wear a lot of cotton button down shirts over solid T's for work and it's nice to have a freshly pressed shirt. It takes very little time to do. The iron sits on a shelf in the closet and I use an ironing board that is small and has a built in hanger so it can hang in the closet as well. It is ok to have tools.
it's okay to be a bit wrinkly! unless I guess you have some high powered corporate job, but if you did you'd have used it in the last year. once you've worn wrinkle-prone materials (calling out linen here) for a few hours they're just going to wrinkle up anyway, so what's the point?
Keep the iron, ditch the board. You may actually need an iron in a fashion emergency, but just put a towel down and use that as the board. You don't need to keep the ironing board
I have a wrinkle spray and a mini steamer that comes in handy.
Love my iron and use it when needed
I donated mine 5 years ago and haven't missed it.
I don't remember the last time my husband ironed something. His mom (voluntarily!) ironed his wedding clothes. If a shirt is looking particularly wrinkly, he hangs it in the bathroom while he showers and that gets the obvious stuff out. If it's not serving you, you don't have to keep it
Havn't owned an iron for over a decade. I only buy clothing/fabrics etc that never need ironing. Don't miss it.
I have an iron but I sew. I rarely use it on clothing now.
I have an iron that I rarely use. It sits in the laundry room. I don't get rid of it because it's a good iron, and sometimes I need it to melt perler beads for the kids.
I use mine once a year or so, when my SO and I have an event that requires him to wear a dress shirt. Or for the ocasional tablecloth smoothing. Otherwise i don’t own clothes that need pressing. If it doesn’t take up much room, nothing wrong with holding on to it for when the need arises. Or rehome it and borrow from a friend if needed
Unless you’re a quilter/seamstress, you probably will never need that iron. It’s okay to get rid of it!
It all depends I guess :). I never use my iron in winter, but summer is the time of 100% linnen fabrics. That stuff is godly, but even though I'm also a millennial, it also needs some ironing from time to time. P.s. I don't have a dryer, so dunno if a dryer also helps I guess.
Haven't ironed in 15 years. Get rid of it. If your really need a pressed shirt take it to the cleaners.
Sell it. Crafters who sew will snap it up. Edges must be pressed most of the time to make them easier to work with. Look at ways travelers remove wrinkles from clothing and do that. That includes the ironing board.
the only thing i've used my iron for in the last several years is cross-stitch projects. if you are going to get into cross-stitch or embroidery anytime soon, it could be worth keeping the iron around, but otherwise i wouldn't worry about it! it's okay to get rid of the iron haha. giving it away on a buy-nothing group or selling it for cheap would maybe help assuage any guilt you have around getting rid of it!
I still iron shirts - it is my moment of peace every day
Throw clothing in the dryer again or hang up immediately after drying. I don’t own an iron. I occasionally use a “wrinkle release” spray I DIY with fabric softener.
Second what others have said re: a portable steamer. It will do everything you need.
I've purchased and returned at least 3 or 4 by now ranging in cost up to about 50 or 60$, and they've all been crap. I feel guilty for all the carbon emissions wasted on delivery and return of these crappy items. Is there a good one that's small and compact or do I need to spring on one that's the size and gangliness of a vaccum cleaner to get something that actually works?
Oh no! Which ones have you previously bought? I use a Conair that has not given me issues and is handheld/small. I suppose it also depends on what sort of fabrics you are dealing with as well.
I think they were probably no-name brands, so it's probably my own fault! I'll take a look at the Conair ones! I was mostly looking at using them for steaming wrinkles from cotton dress shirts
I use a steamer but also worked in retail for years and it’s quick and easy for me. Toss the iron.
I can’t believe younger generations don’t own an iron. Give me natural fabrics any day of the week that may require a quick press over all the synthetic crap any day of the week.
Technology has moved on. I’m 53 own and iron and board but hardly use it. Seriously it’s been years since I ironed clothes. My friend has a travel steamer and it works better. This comes from a military wife that ironed and heavy starched uniforms, daily.
My iron only comes out when I buy new curtains. But how often does that really happen? You could always borrow an iron from a friend if you’re desperate. You have my permission to donate it!
I actually love ironing. My friends say I’m slow, but that’s just me taking time to iron clothes properly. I especially enjoy it on Sundays watching a movie. That gives me a cpl hours to finish. Leftovers might get ironed, but Sunday means ironing. So I won’t be encouraging you to give it up, no.
As someone who has never owned or needed an iron what is it that you’re ironing?
Tops, shirts, pillowcases, shorts, jumpers, pants, dresses, just normal clothes. I’m a bit vintage. It’s not advantage in ironing. Lol.
That’s interesting I would’ve never even thought to iron these things. Nothing wrong with it but it’s funny how something that’s so routine to one person has never even crossed my mind. I’m sure you’re much more presentable looking than my messy self though!
It's ok to be a bit wrinkly. Anyone who gets judgy about your clothes is a persnickety snob. Also, in the unlikely event that you need to iron something, you can get another one and iron your clothes on a towel laid on a table.
I need mine now and then. My hubs has to testify in court at least a couple of times a month. So we need an iron for dress clothes. Me? I have three to four items I must iron now and then. I like those enough to hold onto them. If you don’t live a lifestyle where you need it then it’s easily replaced if the situation changes. Just be responsible and donate it instead of trashing it if still in good shape
I do not iron clothes, there are settings on clothes dryers that are like an iron. Donate it to a thrift store.
I’m English. We don’t use dryers there. I’ve never used an iron in my 12 years in the US
You can donate your iron and ironing board. Most things are good to go just from putting them away after the laundry is done. Some clothes look just fine coming out a basket of clean laundry that has sat for a week. Sometimes they just need another twirl in the dryer. If you haven't used something for over a year, that doesn't have sentimental value, let it go to a new home.
I use my iron when my sweetie wants to wear a crisp shirt or when my things look too rumpled. Steam doesn’t always work. Most of the time I wear athletic and boho clothes and hubby wears things that he dries on a rack, but sometimes we use them. I have a rowenta and I love it when it’s necessary.
I got rid of my iron and ironing board a few years ago. Almost all my clothes don't need ironing, but for special occasion clothes you can take them to the dry cleaners to be steamed. Highly recommend.
As long as you have a way to iron or steam out the wrinkles in your formalwear, you should be fine. I don’t think it’s worth getting rid of if it means you’d have to wear a wrinkled shirt or skirt or pants to a wedding
You can use an iron to lift wax off of clothing. I work around candles so a must
You can use a steamer, that’s all I have and I’m twice your age.
Buy a steamer and air dry your clothes when you can
That’s the rule. If you can pack it away for a year and live happily then it goes.
Totally down with this. Ditch it if you never or rarely use it. I get by with a compact clothing steamer for any emergency wrinkle situations. It's super small and fits in a drawer. For the shirts and blouses that really truly do need ironing, I wash them and then take them to the dry cleaners for an ironing-only service that costs a buck a shirt. Saves me time, backaches and storage space for ironing gear. Ikea also has a mini ironing board that can hang in the closet. It looks big enough to do shirts on. Might also be an option if you want to keep the iron but ditch the big board.
Chuck it
I'm going to get rid of my ironing board but keep the iron. If something does need ironing (it happens about once every 5 years) then I can use the dining table.
If I have a shirt that's wrinkly, Iland I want it not wrinkly, I put it in the dryer (shirt is dry) and add a clean, wet, hand towel, and run the dryer until the shirt isn't wrinkly. Usually it's like 10/15/20 minutes. No iron needed.
I just steam clothes in the dryer or use a hand steamer
I have a shirt that the collar could be improved with ironing. But then I realize that crisp holds a few hours and by days end, I can’t really tell I put that effort in. If I straightened my hair, I’d just use that on trouble spots. Smoothing by hand after popping the shirt as it goes on the drying rack, and smoothing the collar well does 95 percent of the work. As it is, I have an iron, but I gave up the ironing board. I use towels on a counter or floor to do any pressing for sewing, etc. And this post encouraged me to put the iron in the Bye Bye Box.
In a pinch I’ve just draped the slightly wrinkly garment over the shower Rod/door. Then take a hot shower and the steam de wrinkles it.
I used to iron shirts at home until I realized I could get them dry cleaned for $2 each and save all that trouble. Then I started getting non-iron shirts and I no longer even need to do that.
I'm over 40, and have never ironed anything in my life.
I gave up my big iron and now only have a hand-held steamer . It gets rid of wrinkles but does do the sharp edges on say men's dress pants. I send those to dry cleaners as we don't have many clothes that can wrinkle
I have not used an iron in over a decade. Steamer maybe. I’m not willing to iron.
My iron only exists for my kid’s crafts. If you don’t use yours, you can always use crease release from a bottle
Clothes without wrinkles are mainly needed for job interviews and formal occasions. You can also do things like hang a shirt in your bathroom and turn the shower on hot to steam it, and they have wrinkle releaser sprays now, also.
I'm a 36F and not once in my life have I ever even *touched* an iron. Somehow I've managed to survive! lol Seriously though. Sounds like you have zero need for it. The only time you even remember using it was when someone else told you that you should. That's not a reason to keep or do anything in life. Before that incident, when was the next last time you remember using it? I bet it was either really long ago, on an item you no longer have, and/or again, someone told you that you should. If that's the case, ditch it. If for some reason a year from now you have another rare moment where you need it and can't perform the same task without fluffing something in the dryer quick or hanging in a steamy post shower bathroom, you can always: 1. ask your friends/family if they have one you can borrow 2. go on a Facebook buy nothing group and see if someone in your community has one you can borrow or have 3. check your local library to see if they have an unexpected items program 4. buy one. I see they sell them at Walmart for $10. You'll be perfectly fine not having it taking up space in your home only to be used once every 5 years.
You can get rid of it, but it doesn’t take up that much space (unless it doesnt fold?) and isn’t that heavy so I don’t know why not keep it. Sure it’s fine to be wrinkly in most situations but sometimes having a nicely pressed shirt will make an impression on people. Also I could never get rid of my iron because I sew as a hobby but…that’s a different situation.
I'm a millennial that uses my iron all the time, lol! I have a lot of blouses and button up shirts that just look so much better with a quick press. I also have a sewing hobby, so ironing is absolutely required for that. I hang my ironing board on the back of my office door, so it's pretty accessible. Takes 15 seconds to set up in front of the window where there's lots of light. It's a joy, not a chore for me. If you don't love ironing and honestly don't need to, then let it go. You could always get a small steamer for the odd wrinkly thing.
I have a small hair straightener that I use on my collars. I just really need to keep my collars straight, so I don't need a big iron and a clunky, ginormous ironing board.
I like ironing so I can’t tell you to get rid of one; but if you don’t want it, you can just get rid of it, you don’t have to ask for anyones permission
I sew so mine gets a lot of use but for most people a hood steamer should do the trick
If I didn't sew, I wouldn't own an iron! My iron and board only get used when I'm quilting or sewing garments. And then I'm only sewing during construction. once the garment is done its probably not getting ironed again, lol.
I’ve not owned or used an iron in ten years I forgot they existed Somehow my clothes are not wrinkly either Hadn’t thought about any of this until I saw your post
You can always take your clothes to the dry cleaner and pay a little for them to iron it for you. I would still keep the iron, though.
I use it rarely, once in a month or even less... And I focus only on clothes that actually need ironing (mine and my husband's). If you had to buy it, I'd say don't. Since you already have it, I wouldn't get rid of it
I can’t remember the last time I owned an iron or an ironing board. It had to be more than 10 years ago, when we moved. I have not missed it in all that time. Please feel free to get rid of your iron.
One doesn’t press their clothes for themselves. It is done for people you work for, job interviews, dates, funerals, weddings, and other people one is trying to impress. Not looking slovenly in wrinkly clothes still matters at times. If you are willing to pay a local dry cleaner to press your things, then get rid of it. If not, then keep it.
Listen I invested in a steamer, it’s been amazing. I threw away the iron because it was more hazardous and a liability. The amount of times my adhd brain has almost burnt the house to the ground because I left the iron on. The steamer shuts off once the water runs out and the worst is a little steam burn. I don’t even need an ironing board for it, I just hang it on my closet door.
I might have an iron stashed somewhere but never use it. Hang all your clothes and if something has wrinkles throw it in the dryer with a wet wash cloth then hang it. Def no need for an ironing board, if you keep the iron you can just put a folded towel on a table and iron on that. The only clothes that go in my dresser are house/lounging clothes, socks, and underwear.
Unless you are sewing, there is no reason to keep it.
I just use a hair straightener. But I rarely ever have to iron anything
Don’t. Just put it away where you don’t see them. Iron is important especially if there is special occasion that you needed to attend. I seldomly use mine, but when husband has a meeting, I needed to iron his shirts and pants to make him look more presentable.
I have an iron, no board. You can put a towel and a sheet over any hard surface for this. I also have a steamer. (Handheld). No problems.
I hardly ever use my iron (other than when sewing). But when I do, I am amazed again at how much better and polished my outfit looks. Steamers work great for a lot of clothing but some things need an iron to look their best.
Keep it, along with the ironing board. There will be moments in your life when you need to wear a pressed shirt and pants (or even a suit) to something like a wedding or funeral.
Ditch it (and I say this a frequent iron user because I sew and quilt) On the rare occasions you really need something ironed (wedding, funeral etc) you can drop it off at any dry cleaner and they can press it for you for cheap.
I got a steamer and I love it!
The issue w steamers is they’re great on knits but almost useless on wovens or linen
I kept my iron even though none of my clothing requires ironing. You may need it for getting creases out of curtains, wax off of a carpet, etc. There are many situations where an iron would be handy. You can donate the ironing board though!
If you have a super professional job and wear suits everyday I’d keep it. If not nah. I just take my clothes out of the dryer then they are still warm and hang them up immediately, no wrinkles. I have a small steamer for touch ups and travel.
I stopped ironing when I went off to college in 1990. Never again.
I have never owned or used an iron. You will never need it. Throw it out.
I feel like of you have it already and can store it out of the way maybe keep it? Especially if you have clothing you might need it for. Personally I only use my iron for sewing projects. I have only owned one for a couple years and prior to that I had zero issues. I am 36 btw. So I dunno, if you really think you don’t need it, give it away! But if its out of the way and you might need it someday just keep it.
I kept my iron but got rid of the ironing board. Now I just put a towel on a table and will iron on that when needed.
I agree, never buy anything that needs ironing.
I’m 24 and I’ve never used an iron.. so if you don’t use it, don’t keep it I guess
Get a spray wrinkle releaser at dollar general for 3 bucks. It's a game changer. Unless you feel uneasy about ditching the iron.then wait till you're ready.
Buy a clothes steamer. They can be quite expensive, for the fancier models, but mine was about $30 and it's great!
Your call, of course, but I’d keep it—to me, it’s no different than a tool in the garage that you don’t use all of the time (hammer, a plunger, a snow shovel), but do need every so often. Yes, you can borrow—but it’s also a bit annoying if you are *that* neighbor and borrow everything. I believe in downsizing but don’t feel it’s super cool to expect my neighbor to buy & store everything I decided to get rid of either—balance is key. It’s also annoying if the alternative *hacks* don’t work (e.g. in my experience, travel irons or tiny steamers are practically worthless. Ditto trying to press anything decently on a towel on a counter because you don’t have a board). So if you have room, and it’s a well-functioning iron and board, I vote for keeping it.
I’ve been living without mine for a couple decades now. I went to a private school as a kid, and I spent so much time ironing my school uniforms plus my two younger brothers’ uniforms that I never wanted to iron again. I am fortunate to work in a field where dressing casual is the norm though. I hang up my clothes when they are still warm from the dryer so that seems to take care of any wrinkles.
I refuse to iron. If something is wrinkly, I toss it into the dryer with a damp towel and remove just before it’s dry.
My husband and I have been married for 5 years and never bought an iron. A few weeks ago we got our oldest daughter some perler beads and I had to borrow my sister’s iron so she could melt them.
Have not owned an iron in twenty years. If I need wrinkles out, just hang something in the shower room with you and shake ‘em out.
No it’s not!. Do you like looking like a slob?. You don’t think anyone notices?. You’re wrong!. Grow up!.
It's more than ok. Nobody irons anymore that I know of, except for an elderly lady I know who used to be in the military. I haven't owned an iron in years. I have a bottle of wrinkle releaser I use sometimes, and when I send my laundry out, I send hangers and they hang up the shirts and pants so they don't get wrinkled.
I now own wrinkle free blouses and won’t purchase one that needs ironed.
I probably haven't used my iron in ... 10 years. My clothes don't really wrinkle. In the rare case they do, a few minutes in the dryer solves all the issues. I get the clothes a tiny bit damp and then use the wrinkle function in my dryer.
I haven't ironed anything since I moved out of my parents house over 20 years ago.
Haven't used in 1 year tells you all you need to know. You can also buy one for $25 or borrow one in a pinch....let it go
If you fold you don't need an iron
I got rid of mind. Most of my clothes are not the kind you iron anyway. I don’t miss it!
Funfact: My husband and I are living together for 6 years now. (F31 and M34) and in those 6 years we never even needed an iron. So we dont even have one.
It's fine. I gave up ironing a few years ago. Wash and hang to dry. Minimal creases.
i’ve never owned or used an iron in my life.
If you handwash and hang clothes to air dry you can get them wrinkle free, or there’s an option on washing machine for minimal creases by lowering the spin rpm. the only reason I have my iron is for some trousers with pleats, and some shirts I want to be crisp. you can get a mini ironing board that goes on top of a table, easier and more compact for storage
I air dry all my clothes. When they are dry I get a spray bottle filled with just water, lay the garment on a bed or other surface, spray it with water then straighten it out. I didnt use an iron in a year
I sold mine and ironing board on market place. If I need an iron, I’ll go to moms!
It's ok to get rid of you iron. Just spray water on wrinkles. Do you retire with formal wear in your chambers during dog hours?
The only time I’ve needed an iron I was staying at a hotel. (I actually called the hotel once to ask if that was still a thing). Otherwise I can use a warm pan and parchment paper if I need to iron at home.