No matter what they say, the ironing board is a fundamental accessory that brings out the best of your iron and your ironing skills.
In order to select the best ironing board for you and your needs, you need to know a thing or two on the matter.
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What type of ironing board should you get?
Even if there are so many models out there, there are in fact only three types of ironing boards out there: the compact table board, the freestanding model and the wall built-in ironing board. Truth be told, when you’re in a hurry, even a towel-cover counter is going to do, but you’d better get the real thing for the crease-free shirts that you need for work.
An ironing board comes with fabric/clothing that is tightly draped all over the board, giving you more space for ironing. In addition, if you need to iron something with a pointed end, the iron is going to get a lot easier into that curved area.
As for the cover, ironing boards may come with a quilted fabric pad hold in place with clips or it can come with elastic or tie strings.
Compact ironing boards
Typically, smaller and with no possibility to adjust the height, the compact ironing boards are great when ironing the smaller items. They’re also a great choice for anyone with limited storage space.
You may place a compact ironing board on top of a freestanding board, when you’re trying to raise the ironing surface.
It’s quite common for the compact ironing boards to be dual-sided so that you get more versatility when ironing. Keep in mind that you need a padded cover for this type of ironing boards.
Free-standing ironing boards
A free-standing ironing board presents a metal build and should come with adjustable height mechanism, so that you iron in a comfortable way, no matter if you’re standing or sitting.
The free-standing ironing board provides great surface, especially if you’re using a steam iron as the high pressure steam goes through the pad and the metal mesh surface of your ironing board.
Built-in ironing boards
The best part about the ironing board is that it offers nice storage options. Wall-mounted, this type of ironing board saves you space and keeps a room cluster-free.
When it comes to installation, the models are various and most of them are pretty easy to install between wall-studding, as they come with a shallow depth.
Typically, ironing boards don’t come with padded covers so you’re going to need to buy them separately. This means more versatility and also the chance to go as creative as you want.
Do you need to follow some rules for best ironing results?
Even if you have the highest quality iron or the best ironing board out there, you should still follow some tips for getting impressive results when ironing. Here are some that may explain you why you failed on removing all the creases when ironing:
- Select your clothes according to the temperature you need for ironing. You need low to medium heat when ironing the silks and synthetics and medium to high for the woolen items. As for cotton and linens, you need to set the iron on high temperatures.
- Play it safe and iron the delicate fabrics with a pressing cloth. A napkin, a handkerchief or a clean cotton cloth are going to do it. Better yet, iron the clothes inside out for reducing the risk for shine or singe
- Don’t use circular strokes as you may stretch the fabric. It’s better to iron lengthwise blasting the areas with steam for getting rid of the wrinkles.
- When you need to iron pleats, it’s better to begin from the bottom and from the inside to the outside. Use a shot of steam for the final touch.
- For the large items (tablecloth or curtains), use two chairs next to your ironing board. Fold your large item carefully onto the chairs as you’re ironing. You may also iron the large items on a tabletop, placing a towel for padding. You need to make sure that the steam and the hot temperatures aren’t going to damage the table, though.
- Hang your clothes right after ironing them
- You should let the ironed items sit for a couple of hours as you want the creases to set.
What can you use instead of an ironing board?
If your money is tight or when you’re traveling a lot, you may try to use other options for ironing your clothes.
The garment steamer
You don’t need to use an ironing board when ironing your clothes with a garment steamer (aka press). If you think it’s worth the investment, don’t sit on the fence about it.
The ironing pad
The ironing pad is quite a popular option out there. You can find models with magnets, offering you the possibility to drape them over a tough surface (your dryer, for instance), easing up the ironing process.
The ironing pads are great for anyone struggling with the storage space. It’s all about what you really want and how much you’re willing to invest.
How to iron without and iron or an ironing board?
When you’re a student, for instant, last thing you want to invest in is an iron or an ironing board. As you don’t want to walk around with wrinkled shirts either, you need to get creative and use everything you have for a tip top shape of your clothes.
Here are some tricks to keep in mind for de-wrinkling your clothes, without ever needing an iron or an ironing board.
Use the hair-dryer
You may use your blow-dryer for something other than drying your hair. you may blow-dry your hanged wrinkled shirts with the hairdryer. It’s better to stay 1 or 2 inch away from the clothes and make sure you never put it right on the clothes. As you’re blow-drying your clothes, pull them down so that all wrinkles are gone.
Why not use the hair straightener?
You need to start with cleaning the hair straightener. If it’s not too dirty, a wet cloth is going to do it. Set your hair straightener to low or moderate temperature (it’s better to have one with adjustable heat). If the material is on the thicker side, you should use the higher setting. Take your time and run slow and carefully your clothes through the hair straightener, until all wrinkles are vanished.
Make sure not to leave the straightener in one area for more than a second as you may burn the clothes. If your item doesn’t typically need an iron, you may not want to use the hair straightener either.
The spray bottle&fan way
Clip your shirt to a fan (make sure it’s off). Turn the fan on the lowest setting, spraying carefully some warm water all over the shirt. Use a spray bottle for better results.
Get in the shower
This doesn’t mean to get it all wet in the shower. However, you may hang your shirt on a hanger and leave it there while you’re showering. Your shirt is only going to soak up the steam inside the bathroom and the wrinkles are going to disappear at some point. Sure enough, you’re going to have to shower for more than 5 minutes and the bathroom should be filled with steam. However, this is easy and great for the lazy ones out there.
The damp towel method
You need to place your shirt on a completely flat surface (a desk or a table are great). Press it down with a warm damp cloth, even though a paper towel is going to work as well. You should also try smooth out the creases and place some heavyweight items on the outside of your shirt, stretching it out. By the time your shirt is dry, the creases should be all gone.
