Dear LPG,

I used to do it at least once every week but I think that I am part of the last generation of ironers. When I was a young mum I think that I spent many a Sunday evening ‘dashing away’ while watching an episode of an anticipated television programme. I found I was more productive if I was watching a game show, or current affairs programme though. I once chose to watch a ‘Bond movie’ and remember the burn hole that resulted in one of my most beloved blouses because a mixture of fear and anticipation took over as I forgot to get on with it during a really suspense-filled scene. I bet that I am not alone and that many have a similar memory.

I still have an ironing board, although I have to admit to not having even opened the cupboard where it is stored for months. I know that there are still quite a few available in the high street shops, but I think that I was quite relieved when shirts began to be ‘drip dry’, and then there was the invention of Crimplene which heralded a new era of ‘out of the twin tub, on to a hanger and ready to wear’.

These days I think that we ladies have stopped being solely in charge of household laundry.  The fact that more people live alone must mean that more men live alone too, and as only the relative few do such stuff, that can only mean that the laundry clothes cleaning industry is becoming more popular.

The young don’t really bother, or they depend on parents to do this job. Taking a look at my own grandchildren, and although my observations might be a little one-sided, perhaps one has to be a little older to need an iron while the twenty-somethings don’t indulge unless they do a lot of sewing, because the young are busy ripping their tight jeans and, with a bit of stretching, they can get away with an un-ironed tee shirt.

I can remember the days when, as a child I would watch my mother getting on with this chore.  She had no telly to keep her company as she worked on the whole family’s laundry after hours of washing it the day before.   She used to stand while working, but I invested in one of those ‘sit while you work’ boards in the mid 1970’s. I think that sitting made the job harder, because it was easier to add the weight needed to get the clothes flattened while standing as the irons became lighter in weight. But sitting meant that your stomach muscles got more exercise. 

I remember the days when you ironed with your bit of wet cotton, baking paper or spray bottle of extra water on standby.  Ironing was a pains-taking labour of love back then, that took up at least three hours of one member of the household’s week.

Now the trend is to hang the clothes and aim a steamer at them.  I have tried it and it works, but the art of ironing a shirt has been lost, because we have no need to practise anymore. We have become a nation of getting the iron out on the odd occasion when we need to look particularly good and have one item that needs attention.

I know it has always been a chore but perhaps prowess with an iron is an example of yet another skill which has all but run its course.

WH, Lee

LPG found an online article which backs up WH’s thoughts…

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… and a memory to make you smile and remind you of what we are missing…

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