How to save time and money on your ironing

Ironing is arguably the most hated of household chores. And increasingly many of us are avoiding it altogether!

But if you follow these simple tips you can make your ironing quicker, easier and more importantly… cheaper!

How much does ironing cost?

The cost of ironing will depend on the wattage of the iron you use and the temperature you iron at. 

A standard 2.5KW iron could cost you a max of 88 cent an hour at a price of around 35 cent per kilowatt hour for your electricity.

However this presumes you iron continuously at the max temperature.  

You’ll likely iron at a slightly lower heat and your iron will turn on and off as it reaches its desired temperature. 

So a more realistic cost is around 50 to 55 cent an hour. 

If you do around two hours of ironing a week you're looking at paying almost €9 on each bi-monthly bill.  

So now that we know how much ironing costs, here are some tips on how to make it easier and cheaper... 

1. Consider what fabrics you buy  

You can cut down on ironing altogether if you’re careful about what type of clothing you buy. 

Natural fabrics such as cotton and linen will need to be ironed the most. 

And items such as shirts will usually need a good iron, regardless of the material. Unless you're happy to walk around in creased clothing. 

On the flipside, synthetic fabrics such as nylon, polyester or acrylic or cottons that come with a high mix of these will need the least ironing. And in some cases you can get away with not ironing them at all. 

However non-natural fabrics don’t allow your body to ‘breathe’ as easily and will usually cause you to sweat more, particularly in warmer weather. So this is something to bear in mind. 

2. Hang clothes up as soon as possible 

Remove your washing from the drum as soon as you can and hang it up on the line or the clothes horse properly. Don't just hang it in a heap! 

This will prevent heavy wrinkles from developing. 

This will cut down on your ironing time and in some cases eliminate the need for it altogether.

3. Iron at the right temperature 

As with any appliance that heats up, the higher the iron temperature, the more it’ll cost.

Different fabrics need different temperatures so always check the ironing instructions on the label (i.e the ‘dot mark’) to see what temp is best.

There’s no point wasting money ironing a fabric at over 200º when something closer to 150º will do. You’ll also risk damaging your clothes if you iron at the wrong heat.

Ironing at too high a temperature on synthetics in particular risks leaving a sticky residue on the soleplate which will make the iron drag. 

4. Make use of the water spray and steam buttons 

These are features on most irons, especially higher-end appliances. 

You can jet out a spray of water or an extra burst of steam and this can make clothes easier and quicker to iron, saving you time and money.  

5. Look after your iron 

Descale your iron around once every six months so that it continues to function well. The appliance manual will tell you how to do this. If you live in a hard water area you may need to do it more regularly. Some higher-end irons will have a flashing light to tell you when the iron needs to be descaled and some irons may have a self-cleaning function.

If you’ve thrown out or lost the manual, you should be able to download it online after a quick search.  

To clean the soleplate, turn the iron on to a low temperature setting and clean with a soft, damp cloth. Don't use any abrasive cleaners as you risk damaging the soleplate.  

As mentioned above, making use of the water spray and steam buttons is recommended for easier ironing. But be careful about putting anything other than water in the water tank.

Putting vinegar in the tank to help with descaling or using scented water (to make your clothes smell nice) can eat away at the iron's internal parts. Again, check the manual about what is recommended. 

And always empty the water tank after you’ve finished ironing. Don’t leave water in the tank as this can lead to a build-up of limescale and bacteria and cause the iron to start to drip water when in use.

6. Do your ironing at off-peak hours

If you have a smart meter you may be able to avail of cheaper electricity by doing your ironing at off-peak hours.

We’ve calculated that an hour’s ironing could cost around 55 cent. But you could potentially almost halve this cost.   

Check what type of tariff and plan you’re on and see if it makes sense to do your ironing later in the night or early in the morning. 

Some tips 

For shirts and delicates in particular it’s best to iron them inside out to help protect the fabric and avoid getting a sheen on your clothes. 

It’s also best to wash clothes inside out too. So simply don't bother turning out your clothes when taking them out of the drum.  

When ironing, stick to clean, straight strokes. Avoid wriggling the iron as this can cause fabrics to crumple and stretch. 

If you've a shirt or t-shirt that is only slightly creased and you're short on time, hanging it in the bathroom while you shower is an option as the stream can reduce the wrinkles. 

And if you're looking to save time and money on your washing and drying, have a look at our guide here.

Switch your electricity supplier

One of the easiest ways to save on your ironing costs is to switch to a cheaper energy supplier to help reduce your electricity bills. 

You can compare tariffs and deals from all of Ireland’s energy suppliers on bonkers.ie in just a few clicks.

Most suppliers offer big discounts for an entire year to those who switch. And with our energy comparison service, switching has never been easier!