by Missy Bell

Created on: July 17, 2008   Last Updated: December 23, 2010

Ironing is truly the devil when it comes to housework and chores. I have decided and vowed as a housewife and mother of two that I will never EVER iron. Ever.

First of all, as a young girl I was forced to iron by my mother, who was doing her motherly duties, of course, and teaching me how to care for my own clothing and the dress pants and dress shirts of my future husband. I did all right when it came to the task. I wasn't BAD at it, but I was certainly not as practiced as my mother and so was often frustrated at the results of my work.

To be honest, my biggest problem was timing.

I would choose to ignore the buzzing of the drier as I continued on my daily tasks of checking my email, finishing my favorite television program, or eating another snack. When the buzzing became too annoying, I would go downstairs, open the drier door, let it close again, and go back to whatever was occupying my time before. Thus, clothing became more wrinkled than some would think necessary, and ironing became nigh to an impossible task.

When I left home and went to college I took an iron along, thinking that it was essential for success in the academic and business world.

At the time, I was dating a guy in the Air Force, and we shared our struggles with keeping our pants pressed. He, who I did not end up marrying, but value immensely as a person for this and other reasons, showed me the way to avoid the ironing chore. In fact, there are a few ways.

1. When you return for your clothing in the drier, fluff it over again. This takes out the wrinkles that matter. Remove clothing immediately this time. No excuses. Sit on the drier and read a book if necessary.

2. Go to the dry cleaner. For everything. Even your underwear.

3. Buy clothing that does not wrinkle. Yes. It is worth the extra cash.

I normally used method number one because I was always short on cash and couldn't bring myself to take my laundry to the dry cleaner. Air Force guy preferred the dry cleaning method since he required much more precise ironing. I decided that it was okay to look a little rumpled in most cases. And if not, well you could simply avoid the situation entirely.

In my old age (30) I am now married and the mother of two beautiful children. I do not iron their clothes. And I informed my husband upon proposal that if he wanted his pants ironed, he knew where the board was.

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