Ironing? What's that?

GranniePam In WW1 the soldiers in the trenches would light a match and run it along the seams of their clothes to kill the lice hiding in there - so it could be true that ironing kills off them and their eggs. One housekeeping chore we can miss out, thank god.

I worked as a school cleaner for a short time whilst my children were young as it was convenient to have school holidays free. I think being paid for cleaning is what makes a difference, also knowing you have time restraints. No sitting with a cuppa and GN thinking I'll get the hoover out in a minute hour.

The hypothetical skill swap would be no good for me. There is nothing about housework that I would happily do, unless there's someone who needs their silver polishing I find that quiet satisfying.

That's a new one on me, Granniepam!

Er, ironing? I was taught had it drummed into me long ago that it was essential as it "killed all the germs and lice eggs." I may have reduced the amount of things I iron over the years but I remain ever fearful and always iron tea towels...

No, that makes perfect sense to me, Charleygirl. The thing about someone elses home is that you can start with it being messy/dirty'ish and leave with it looking clean and tidy without then having to watch it disintegrate before your very eyes. With a cleaner you get an instant result and then [hopefully] don't feel the need to contantly clean/tidy up because the cleaner will be coming back to do it. Not that I've ever had a cleaner but I can see the logic. I'm forever doing housework but forever in a state of chaos .

This may sound odd but I have a cleaner to clean my house but I would happily clean somebody else's.

Apricot That child will go far.

This task swapping is a wonderful idea, but before we all get carried away the Geographics of our various locations probably make it a lot cheaper to get someone in to do the job.

I don't get ironing either but I do iron the more wrinkly garments. I do not do OHs shirts though.

DH does the ironing, he is so good at it
When GD1 was at nursery she fell short of the target, for recognising household items, she didn't know what an iron was or what it was used for.

I do enjoy ironing and try to get it done as soon as it comes off the line if I can whilst in the mood to get it put away.The only things I tend to put off are the quilt covers which being kingsize sometimes need you have to have what seems like four arms to fold the things .

I do my ironing while listening to the radio. There is a satisfaction from turning a large basket of crumpled things into nice small piles of unwrinkled clothes. I think it is probably the only housework which gives me pleasure. I do have one of those steam generators which makes it quite easy.

So if anyone wants to bring their ironing round here and do my housework while I do their ironing they are most welcome. Tea and coffee provided!

I'm another one that loathes ironing. When DCx2 were at school and DH was working it was my Sunday afternoon chore.
Now I don't bother, unless it's unavoidable. My iron has been used once this year I think.

I also hate ironing BUT I like doing it when I am making quilts. I wash and iron all the fabric before I start and then iron it as I sew the bits together. I think it is because it looks good and more importantly only needs doing ONCE !

Anyone want to swop ironing for gardening ?

Woops! Just remembered that I hardly have anything that needs ironing so cancel that swop !

I bought a new iron last year and I have never used it. I hate ironing and now that I no longer work I do not have to bother.

Hate ironing with a passion. OH does his own in desperation. When preparing for the wedding we went to last week I worked myself up to ironing my outfit. Only to find - oh joy - it was completely crease free

You"re on PENST !
<cheers>

Sounds a wonderful idea happy to swop washing/oven cleaning/gardening for piles and piles of ironing.

I absolutely love washing too! We're expecting a new washing machine next week and I can't wait!!!

Penstemmon that would be an excellent idea. I would willingly and happily do chloe1984's washing. I am a dab hand at loading a dishwasher and cutting grass.

I think we ought to createe a housework /chore exchange. Anyone do my ironing..I will clean your cooker /fridge.

I too am an ironing fanatic , just love it . I hate washing,loading the machine and hanging it out but ironing is my passion (amongst other things)

Same here with me, Absent. I make no excuses, I LOVE ironing.

I dislike ironing but always do it – even sheets. It's partly the appearance but it's also the feel of the fabric next to the skin that prompt me to do so. I don't have a tumble dryer so everything is line dried and tends to be wrinkly. I even iron a big batch of stuff for absentdaughter each week. Now, there's love for you!

It's not that I'm fine with the crumpled look - I just dry things that would normally need ironing in the tumble-dryer (so does DD) and don't bother with unimportant things such as sheets and underwear!

I really cannot understand the concept of crumpled and wrinkled clothing.Am I really the only one? I sometimes have GC to stay and I could not send them off to school in unironed white cotton shirts or unpressed grey trousers. Am I odd or just old-fashioned?

I stopped years ago!