Things to do

Ironing is one of those chores that always seems to need doing - no matter how much you try to get on top of it , that pile just keeps on getting bigger! There are a few tricks I’ve learnt over the years to make this must-do chore a little easier, so here’s my top ten tips:

1. Keep your iron clean! A clogged iron doesn’t steam well and has the nasty habit of suddenly unclogging and depositing limescale all over your clean, dry clothes. In my experience this always happens on a black garment – where it has the most impact!
2. Even if your manufacturer’s instructions say you can use tap water I would always use water that has been boiled and cooled as this helps eliminate limescale.
3. If you do get limescale, fill the iron with white vinegar turn on to the steam setting for 10 mins and this will loosen it. Once the iron is cooled empty out any residue vinegar and rinse. Then repeat with boiled water to remove any residue.
4. You can use a damp cloth dipped in baking soda to clean the iron plate of a slightly warm iron – but always rinse thoroughly and remove any residue from the vents with a cotton bud.
   Alternatively, try cleaning the plate of your iron by passing it over a sheet of fine sandpaper or a piece of paper sprinkled with salt (but don’t do this if your iron plate has a plastic coating).
5. To save time, use a reflective ironing board cover – this reflects heat so you’ll be ironing both sides at once. Putting a piece of kitchen foil under the ironing board cover also does the trick.
6. While the iron is heating up, sort your clothes into three piles – those that require a low temperature iron, and those that require medium and high. Progress from clothes needing the lowest temperature towards medium and do the high temperatures last.
7. To save time I always do the ironing in my bedroom – this gives me the bed to sort the laundry and there are hangers and wardrobes close at hand!
8. Iron double thickness fabric on the inside first, then on the outside – this will stop shirt collars and cuffs from puckering.
9. To remove wrinkles without imprinting the fabric behind it on the front slip a piece of cardboard inside your garment.
10. And lastly, if in doubt iron inside out! This will ensure you won’t get that unsightly fabric shine that you often see on black garments.