So you’ve got a lot of creased laundry and sheets that need ironing, you’ve got an iron, but you haven’t got an ironing board? That’s a tough spot to be in, but thankfully you’re in the right place. In this article, we’re going to look at what options you’ve got.
You might think that you have to have both an iron AND an ironing board in order to do the ironing, right? Well that might make your job a lot more straightforward, but it isn’t actually the case. The truth is, you can try a few different things as substitutes for a good old-fashioned ironing board. Some might do the job better than others, but it’s a good idea to know what your options are if you’re in a quick fix and haven’t got your board (or it’s broken or unavailable).
In the long term, you should probably purchase an ironing board. THey’re affordable, long-lasting and get the job done well. There’s a reason they’ve been popular for over a century. Nobody has really managed to come up with a better idea, or something better to put your ironing on. So while these other options might not be as good as a proper ironing board, they might still be good enough for you. Let’s have a look at your options:
How to iron without an ironing board
You’ve got an iron? Great. But no ironing board? That’s not so great. But all isn’t lost. You’ve got a few things you could use in the house already. So what can you do if you haven’t got an ironing board but need to do some ironing?
Firstly, you need a flat surface, and one that’s strong and firm. Ironing boards are good because they’re built to support the item while you iron it. So you can’t iron on something unsteady or that isn’t strong or stable enough. So your options are basically tables, kitchen worksurfaces or the floor.
There’s one extremely important point to remember when you iron on something that isn’t an ironing board: you need to cover it. Ironing boards have their own special cover to prevent them getting burned, but other surfaces do not. Never leave your iron standing on another surface. Use an old towel that you don’t mind getting burned to cover your surface, or you can actually buy special iron-proof covers.
Hard floors are better than carpeted ones if you want a strong finish. Tables and kitchen counters are even better, especially as they have an angle for you to drop some of the item below. That’s why ironing boards are really the best-designed item for the job.
Be extra careful with carpeted floors not to burn through. Certain kitchen worksurfaces might not need covering if they are already heat-resistant. Some are, some aren’t—so it’s a good idea to check first.
The best sort of cover for your non-ironing board surfaces is an ironing blanket. However, these might need to be purchased if you haven’t got one. They can be found online or in most homeware stores. But if you’re going to go to the trouble of buying a cover for your floor or table so you can iron on it, why don’t you buy an actual ironing board?
These ironing blankets are silicone and will be heat resistant. They can also have nonslip backing so they work better when you iron.
Once you’ve got the hang of ironing without an ironing board, you’ll be able to quickly iron stuff even if you do have a board. If you’re good without one, you’ve got an extra level of convenience for your household chores so that when you’re in a rush and just need one item ironing, you won’t have to get your board out.
Alternatives to ironing blankets include thick towels. If you don’t have a thick one, you can stack multiple ones on top of each other. White towels are better so that you don’t transfer color onto your ironing.
When ironing without a board, you must put your iron down when you adjust the item you’re ironing and move it around. Always make sure you stand the iron safely and don’t place it downwards when you aren’t using it. Never leave an iron that’s switched on unattended. Always be careful where you place your iron in between ironing, be careful of the cable and make sure nobody is going to know it off or trip.
When choosing a table to iron on, make sure it’s strong and sturdy. You don’t want one that doesn’t give you the right support.
Ironing alternatives
If you haven’t got an iron OR an ironing board, getting those creases out is going to be even harder, but not impossible. You could consider a press or steamer. These work in a similar way to your local dry cleaners. Alternatively, you could actually just go to the dry cleaners or indeed hire someone to iron for you. Some services will iron things for as little as $1 per item. So if you either aren’t very good at ironing, don’t have the time, or don’t have the equipment (or a combination of these factors) then you could try one of them.
Hopefully, you now know a bit more about ironing without an iron or an ironing board. Remember, the best results will require the right equipment. People have been using irons and boards for decades (or even more), and they’re extremely affordable and relatively easy to use. Have a look online or in your local store and find the best iron and board for you. With a bit of practice, you’ll be ironing stuff with ease. It might take a few attempts to get the hang of, but it’s reasonably simple. What have you had success with as an alternative to ironing boards?
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