Are you someone who is particular with wrinkles on your clothes? Do you hate seeing extra folds everywhere on your favorite coat? Are you wondering how to iron clothes effectively even without an ironing board? Well, look no further. Today we will be showing you how to iron without an ironing board.
Every important occasion requires a neatly ironed dress and tuxedo. And we must look as presentable and as elegant as ever. Furthermore, a properly ironed uniform to wear every single day to work must also be part of our priority as a responsible employee. And all of these will only be made possible if you know how to effectively and easily iron clothes, even without a board.
Yes, you’ve heard it right. Not all ironing requires an ironing board. And there are lots of alternatives you can choose from if no iron board is available and you need to even those wrinkles out.
It is a known fact that having an ironing board to iron your clothes is always better. Still, when you are in a business meeting out of state or if you have to attend an unplanned dinner party and you can’t find your ironing board anywhere, then you must know which things to use in this event.
How To Iron Clothes Even Without an Ironing Board
As I have already stated, an ironing board will not be available all the time. Therefore, there will be instances where you have to be inventive. After all, you can’t just don your clothes without ironing them just because an ironing board is nowhere to be found. Fret no more, since today we will be showing you awesome alternatives that you can do and use anytime you need to iron without a board.
1. Choose a flat and heat-resistant surface.
The first step is to make sure you choose a flat surface. This is particularly important since the main goal is to iron our clothes and make them wrinkle-free. If your surface is not even and have bumps or sharp edges are present here and there, your clothes will not come out evenly ironed. The process will be rendered useless, and you will be wasting a lot of your time.
The surface you choose must also be heat-resistant. We don’t want the surface to melt because of the heat from the iron. Irons are generally done to a temperature of 356 – 428 °F (180-220 °C). And a surface that will not withstand that heat will basically melt and can cause a fire. Not just that, the melted surface can stick to your clothes, and that itself can be a big disaster.
Some of the best surfaces to use when an ironing board is not available are the following:
- A bed is one of the best places where you can iron your clothes. They are thick enough to withstand the heat from the iron and flat, as long as the sheets cause no wrinkles on the bed. Just be careful of ironing on your bed for extended periods. This may scorch the materials on your beddings.
- The floor is basically the best option on this list. Hardwood floors or ceramic floors are usually good places to iron your clothes. You can protect the floor surface by placing a thick towel. This will make sure your floor is safe from the heat as well as your clothes from possible dirt on the floor.
- Another very accessible place to use is a flat and sturdy table. We all have them around the house, and many modern tables are thick and heat-resistant as per current standards. You can put an ironing blanket on top of the table to safeguard it from possible damages. A flat surface, such as a table, is an excellent place to iron clothes since they have no bumps and are usually the perfect height not to cause you to bend over for a long time, preventing back pains.
- This one is a bit unconventional, but you can also use your washing machine’s surface for your ironing. A washing machine top is suitable for small clothes, such as shirts and short pants, as long as the clothes you need to iron will fit on top of the machine. Using the surface of your machine will also keep everything conveniently done inside the laundry room. You don’t have to run around your house trying to find a good surface to iron your clothes.
2. Cover the surface with a heat resistant material
The best materials to use are the following:
- A magnetic ironing mat is the best option for this. This is ideal if you are ironing on a metal surface and if you also want to decrease the iron time. This is made possible since metal is a heat conductor; therefore, heat is reflected, cutting your ironing time in half! If you are in a hurry and only have limited time to get those clothes ironed, then an ironing mat is the way to go.
- A blanket can also be used and is something that you can easily buy from supermarkets. If the main reason why an ironing board isn’t available is that you’re trying to save space, then it is better to invest in an ironing blanket. This is a space saver, and you can use it anywhere. Use an ironing blanket, and you will see the difference.
- A thick towel is also a great alternative since this is very easily accessible, and you can find them readily in the house. They are safe, and generations have used this towel trick. It’s better to use a white towel as a surface to avoid the risk of color transfer when using high ironing heat.
3. You can now iron your clothes carefully.
When you have a flat and steady surface ready, and you have your trusted heat-resistant blanket or mat laid down, then it is now time to start taking those wrinkles head-on. These wrinkles don’t stand a chance when you are fully knowledgeable of the alternatives and the best materials to use.
Alternative Ways to Iron Clothes Without an Ironing Board
1. Use a clothes steamer
If a flat iron is not available, then a clothes steamer can be an excellent way to iron your wrinkled clothes. You won’t get the same quality compared to using a flat iron, but this is ideal for people who travel a lot or are saving storage space.
2. Use a hair straightener to straighten out small wrinkles
When you are on the go or in an out-of-state business meeting where no iron is present, you can use your trusty hair straightener to get those wrinkles out. Small wrinkles, such as in the sleeves, can easily be mended with a hair straightener. Simple and easy to use, and very effective.
3. Use a wrinkle-release spray
If you don’t have a lot of time and are always on the go, then a wrinkle-release spray is the savior for you. The simple logic behind this wonder is that the chemicals in this spray relax the fibers of your garment, thus making it look like you have ironed your clothing. All you need to do is spray, then pull the garment until it’s smooth, and hang it up to dry before wearing it.
4. Steam the wrinkles out in the bathroom during a hot shower
In just about 10 to 20 minutes, your garments will be wrinkle-free if you hang them in the bathroom as you take your hot shower. The steam generated will pull out any wrinkle or creases. This is ideal if you have little time to prepare everything before going out.
5. Toss in the dryer for 15 to 20 minutes
Who knew dryers can also make your garment crease-free? Well, this is exactly right. Toss in your slightly wet clothes in the dryer. Better yet, include the dry garments with other damp items. Dry them all on medium heat and immediately hang them until they’re completely dry.
Summary
An ironing board will not always be available, so it is important to know the alternative ways on how you can still iron your garments. These are proven ways and they are widely used since they are known for being effective.
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