It takes guts to admit it: I’m behind on my ironing.
I’ve posted about this 4-step process before and now, need to read it again, to help myself remember how easily we can catch up. So here goes!
4 How-To’s
- Hurry. That makes it go much faster. Time yourself and see how long it takes to iron one shirt or one pair of pants. Then see if you can cut the time down each time you repeat that performance. Play peppy music to help you stay quick.
- Set aside time to fire up your iron every day. If you have a designated spot for the ironing board, where you can leave it set up all the time, or if you have a board that is easily stored, such as in the wall or on a door, all the better.
- Iron twice what your family would wear, every day. This can only lead to success. They wear five pieces daily? You iron ten. Simple math leads to simple solutions.
- Continue until caught up. The finish line may seem elusive, but truthfully, it’s that other word just above–“CONTINUE”–that is a lost or hiding concept for us, especially when it comes to ironing. We feel foolish? We feel tired? We feel uninspired? We should consider how good it feels to have it all done for a change. Yes.
Now, with the goal of continuing, of not quitting, of actually being caught up instead of planning to catch up someday, here are some motivators I use, to keep me reaching for that last piece in the bottom of the basket:
4 Motivators
- The peppy music. Already mentioned, yes, this trick not only helps me move faster, it also keeps me cheery. Sometimes I even sing along, and it helps, like a daily, longed-for music session. Trust me.
- Multi-tasking. Need to make a phone call?–Turn down the music and turn on the speaker phone. Need to exercise?–Leg lifts, walking in place, or knee bends all work while ironing, and can be done in time to the music. Need to watch a pressure canner?–Iron in the kitchen. Need to study the next lesson in your online course?–Turn off the music and listen to the lecture.
Get it? - Rewards. Nothing like that last ice-cream bar in the freezer to make you get the job done. You cannot multi-task with ice-cream bars. You have to get ‘er done, then hit the ice! Another reward, for me, is seeing my hubs looking as sharp as can be when he leaves the house. Has to be good for his soul, too, I think. And sometimes I reward myself with a promise to spend time with my feet up, visiting with you, my readers. And then there is the newly-won space on the laundry room floor . . .
- Finally, being able to get dressed without first ironing, is a huge motivator. It is such a luxury, to me, who grew up ironing every morning and being late to catch the bus. Whew. So glad those days are over.
That’s it—so easy. For me, since only my husband wears much ironed clothes, if I iron two shirts and a pair of pants for him each day, soon all is done. Now and then I insert something for someone else, but really, most of us wear no-iron clothing like t-shirts, sweats, and the softer denims. It may take a week or two, but it does work.
Now, guess what I’m about to do!
Oh, and always remember: A job well-done need never be done again.
Right? That is right, isn’t it?
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Photo credit: Wikipedia
Home's Cool! 
I do all ironing on Tuesday. I’ve done it this way for so long, I wouldn’t know how else to do it!
Oh, I know that! I used to do that; used to have a rule I could not go grocery shopping until all ironing was done. How did I get away from that?!
I don’t know.
Thanks for reading and commenting. Keep up the good work! 🙂
My mother and grandmother always ironed on Tuesday – it was even embroidered on the kitchen towels! I don’t think I ever had any choice! LOL 😀
Though when my girls were little, it WAS very nice to be able to reach in the closet on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings, and pull out a nicely ironed dress for each of them. Same for the guy’s shirts. I even run my dishwasher on a schedule. . . 😉
Love your blog!
Oh, you know, my mom ironed, too, (although she ironed for the public, lots, and was sought out by those who had special needs for their professions) and I am sure my grandmothers did, although I guess they saved that work for when grandkids were not there, as I never saw it happening. 🙂
I began ironing during my grade school years–my dad’s hankies. Ha! I guess that was to make them look spiffy in that little pocket on a suit? Or for sanitation. Now days, I either blast in a hot dryer or hang in the sun. Mmm–love sun-dried laundry, too. 🙂
So–email me about your dishwasher schedule! I run mine sometimes 4 times per day, with my large family…cannot imagine anything except trying to survive all the piles of dishes by running it almost constantly. Ha.
Here is my dishwasher schedule, which has been modified since the occupants are fewer!
10:00 am, 2:20 pm, and 10:00 pm. This is a recent development, as at one point I was running it 5 times daily. I follow this schedule firmly, and if there don’t seem to be enough dishes for a full load – I put everything else I can fit in there. Such as toaster oven crumb tray and rack, microwave plate, stove knobs and drip pans, removable plastic refrigerator compartments, even oven racks. I keep pens, measuring spoons, and kitchen scissors in cute plant pots on the windowsills – those also go in. Crocks that hold the large wooden spoons – I mean everything that I can possibly put in the dishwasher goes in. I even manage to fit the oven racks on the bottom rack if I take the silverware holder out! 😀
Wow! Thanks for this! 😉
I gave up ironing years ago, when I was first pregnant. I recycled all the clothes in the house that “needed” ironing and now the only things that get ironed are my husbands shorts for business – and he irons it himself just before he puts it on.
I am a bit believer in giving things a good shake and a pat!
I figure that the kids clothes look crushed within minutes of wearing them anyway. If I am ever going anywhere formal, I might iron a dress…
I hate ironing.
Wow,Sans!
How did you end up in my spam box? So sorry!
However, thanks for stopping by and leaving this!
I love ironing, but I know, it does take up time. I love the crisp feeling and look…
And hubs has a desk job, here, but if he has to go out into the woods or fields, he sometimes wears a shirt over again, since he reasons like you do, that it’ll be mussed up very quickly, anyway…. 😉
He calls it “saving me some work” but to me, it seems like embarrassment, that anyone, even any TREE, might think I sent him out that way, or that I don’t care how he looks. 😐
I once went through a wee phase of ironing because I found a TV show I wanted to watch on a regular basis – so ironing was an excuse. I am over that now. I just watch the TV if I want to watch the TV. No ironing required 🙂
🙂 I’m just thankful no TV is required! I burn stuff!
Oh that reminds me of when I was a student and didn’t have an ironing board and I ironed something on the floor… and melted the carpet tiles and it all went like pizza cheese.. oh woe…
Woe, indeed! Made me wince!
I actually don’t iron, except when I’m sewing. I hang things up straight out of the dryer. (No clothesline…yet.) If something is wrinkled, I usually hang it in the shower with me while I wash, and once I’ve got it on, I gently stretch it, and the wrinkles fall out. So, that’s nice.
I like your tips, though, and if I ever get to have a clothesline – I agree that some rockin’ tunes go a long way to help motivate. A loooooong way.
Thanks for the comments, Tiff!
I know some folks do not iron. I’m okay with that. I love it. Love chocolate, too, but I know some folks don’t.
My favorite ironing is little girls’ ruffled dresses. Once took some from a friend and did them up for her. So much fun! 😉
Oh…ruffles. I shudder at the thought of ironing those! Simple pleats do me in. However – I know ironing will be in my future (Momma taught me well), when I finally get my clothesline!
I don’t love pleats! But enjoy the challenge. A clothesline is a gift! Mine broke and I need to get someone to fix it!!!