Hating ironing and other lies we tell ourselves

Ironing is underrated!

Take some time to iron the holiday wardrobe.

I know it’s fashionable to tell each other we hate ironing. But do we?

I’ll give you a couple of reasons not to hate it, but to view it as a housewifely mission with a good outcome and a process that is not without its own quiet pleasure.

First, the outcome: Your boys’ and husband’s dress shirts will look handsome rather than a mere pitiable gesture towards an unfulfilled aspiration, and whatever else needs ironing will be better if you go ahead and iron it. Silk blouse. Trousers. Lacy cardigan.

You like new clothes in part because they are crisp and smooth.

The clothes you have can also be crisp and smooth — if you iron them! Especially the placket and collar of even the smallest boy’s shirt.

Use spray starch (available at the grocery store). (Always replace the cap on the can when you put it down, by the way. If it falls off the ironing board, quite possible if you are busy and kids are running around, or just clumsy like me, the nozzle will almost certainly break off and then you just have to throw the can away. We won’t say how I know this.)

Yes, ironing likely takes a moment to set up. Put water in the iron, or it won’t work very well. Take your time. Check fiber content and set the heat level accordingly. Use a damp pressing cloth if you are ironing something woolen.

Instruct your children not to slam into you or the board. Show them the iron is hot, the cord vulnerable. Put the crawling baby in a playpen or wait for naptime.

The children will respect this enterprise and you’ll have that time to think or listen to an audio book or whatever you like.

And then the dress clothes will look smart, hanging on their hangers, ready to go next week.

Half the battle of life is looking smart (and having your children look smart)!

Woman Ironing by François Bonvin

Don’t wish to subscribe just now?

Please consider sharing The School for Housewives with your girls’ club, book club, or women’s group! Let people know they can go to the main page and see the categories with all the archived posts (or look at them there in order).

and

My book on how to live with the Liturgical Year: The Little Oratory

The School for Housewives brings you short, practical, and thoughtful messages to inspire you to make your home. If you’re new here, go to the homepage for the previous Lessons; the categories are arranged in the menu bar at the top.

For the longer version:

As with everything here at the SFH, the best thing is for you to take what I’m saying — ideas that come from my experience of 45 years of marriage and raising seven children — and apply them to your situation with discernment, prudence, and confidence — and a sense of humor!