Clever tricks to cut ironing time in half

If hauling your wrinkled clothes out of your wardrobe each week for an ironing session is enough to send you into a state of anxiety, you’re not alone. Fact: Ironing sucks. But imagine this: A world where ironing doesn’t feel like a chore. Luckily for you, this isn’t a pipe dream. Here are the only six simple hacks that you need to cut ironing time in half and stop those weekly pangs of ironing-induced angst. 

1. Turn it down 

By simply opting for a lower temperature and slower spin on your washing machine helps to minimise wrinkles— this is even more effective for cotton clothes. Wherever possible, simply select the "cold” or “normal” setting on your machine.

2. Shake it off 

The washing machine has finished. Next, you throw all your of clothes straight into the dryer without a second thought. Most people are guilty of this, however, spending the extra minutes shaking your clothes out from the twists and clumps can be the difference between a few kinks and wrinkle-laden heaps. 

3. Towel trick

Have a growing mountain of wrinkled shirt and no time to iron? No worries. Simply grab a small, clean hand towel and wet it under the tap and then throw it in the dryer with your shirts for about 15 minutes. The wet hand towel will produce steam and act as a steamer for your shirts as the dryer runs.

4. Timing matters

Timing and process count for a lot when washing, drying and ironing your clothes. If you leave time between steps you’re more likely to be left with a load of wrinkled items. As soon as the dryer has finished, remove clothes. If you’re going to be out, set your dryer to start just before you get home or set it to an extended tumbling cycle.  

5. Aluminium hack

Did you know that placing a sheet of aluminium foil underneath your ironing board cover could dramatically speed up the ironing process? How it works is the foil provides reflected heat and therefore you don't have to iron the other side because you'll be ironing both sides at once. Voila. 

6. Folding technique

To prevent creasing when you have your clothes in storage or neatly folded in your wardrobe, fold jumpers, jeans, t-shirts and so on into thirds before putting away.