What a surprise- not.
I just found out I am in the distinct minority. (No, this is not about my politics!)
I iron my clothes.
Yes, most of my shirts and slacks are “permanent press’ (the rest are dry clean only). But, my heritage of running a dry cleaning store prevents me from relying on looking “amazingly comfortable”. (You do recall the Downy advertisement, right?)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoVI6Dg0ZFg
After all, I used to dry clean my dungarees, so they would look perfect. How could I not iron my clothes now?
My kids all recall me in the family room, with the TV blaring, ironing a dozen shirts, four or five pants, and a few skirts (theirs- not mine).It was- and is- a relaxing experience, whiling away about 30 to 45 minutes each week, just ensuring that the creases would be perfect.
I also still have my steamer and portable iron. But, I used the steamer mostly for drapes. (I did run a drapery cleaning outfit, too.) In the past, when I traveled 3 or 4 days a week, I would steam a suit that got creased while awaiting release from my luggage- and touch up a shirt with my portable iron that didn’t survive the journey intact.
However, I was surprised to find that millennials don’t even own an iron. (The article I read said that irons were going the way of print newspapers. Yes, I still enjoy my print newspapers, too.) But, upon further research that piece of data about irons is not quite correct. You see, citizens born before 1974 are still buying irons and ironing boards- just not quite enough to counteract the decline among those 18 to 44 years of age. So, the drop in iron sales is still relatively low- but the number of households with irons has dropped dramatically since 1989, when 14 million would be found. Steamer sales are up, though. (I think this is manifesting the concept of laziness- ironing takes more time and care than waving a steam wand over a garment.)
Moreover, it seems millennials think it acceptable to spray a worn clothing item with Febreze and then throw it into the dryer for 10 minutes. And, then, don the item anew. (Yech!)
Which may explain why wrinkly shirts and rumpled tablecloths are now considered fashionable. (You won’t find those rumpled messes adorning my dinner table.)
One other thing- I NEVER used starch- nor did I let Arlee (or any other laundry/dry cleaner) add that concoction to my shirts. (The practice of starching garments has been waning for years.)
I do not own an iron. I remember when it dawned on me that if I continued to buy knitwear, I could eventually never have to use an iron again. And that, now, is my life.
Knits would be way too hot for me, Jeanine! (I do iron a few of my sweaters- on low, of course.)
We’re still in the dark ages when it comes to ironing. Actually my hubby does must of the ironing, yes even my jeans. The creases are so sharp they could cut you! (He was in the Army and gives everything military creases. Nothing fresher looking than a neatly pressed shirt.
Glad to see someone else loves sharp creases, Martha!
🙂 this post made me smile.. I am keeping my fingers crossed that my daughter will be one of those future iron-buyers 🙂 My dad was the one who enjoyed ironing (as does my mom-in-law). Both me and hubby do exactly what you do every few days – iron away an hour with music or TV for company…
I think if I had to do it every few days, that would be troublesome. But, one night a week is the perfect diversion for me, Vidya.
I have an iron but I haven’t used it in years. I never found it relaxing or anything but a chore. My Mom, who didn’t have much money, would send my Dad’s shirts (and our sheets – cotton, of course), to what was then called a “Chinese laundry”. But my Dad enjoyed ironing, and after my Mom passed away he would iron my gym uniforms.
To each their own. Right, Alana?