I think we should have a forum entitled...

My DS is a chef and I must admit I find ironing his white jackets a bit of a bore. He has gone to Sicily for a week so I have been reprieved

I haven't ironed a shirt (or anything, come to that) for years; it one of the things for which I willingly pay someone, and there is no way I would ever iron a handkerchief - they are disgusting items anyway.

Retirement has only slightly decreased the number of shirts that Theseus wears, I am afraid, though he does wear fewer ties. But they only need dry cleaning..

I watered all my house plants today and put some plant food in the water to give them a Christmas boost.

OH has some non iron shirts from M and S that always need an iron to make them look ok.

I love ironing clothes after a holiday and remembering where they were worn. I love the smell when they have been hung out in the fresh air. I,m not keen on pressing posh trousers though.

I've put my cyclamen into a basin of water to give it a drink

We moved in August. I think we have only used the ironing board once. Not bad going I reckon.

I always knew jinglbellrocks loved all things housework-related really. I think she has just finally given in to her subconscious desires for freshly pressed bras and now reads the Lakeland catalogue from cover to cover.

I was checking the full product information for Heston Blumenthal's Hidden Orange Xmas Pudding to see if it was vegetarian (for sister) .... it has the helpful information:

'Overheating may cause fruit and sugar to ignite'

I hate that sodding catalogue!!! Straight in the bin with it.

I know Lakeland' s stock better than they do.

Galen, how do you keep a cyclamens going? Mine will only survive in the non-heated lav! So I never get to see it. (I like the warm lavvie)

Go for it Riverwalk! Nothing like a nice microwave-contained bonfire to lighten up Xmas.

Riverwalk that is hilarious! Christmas 'ELF and safety?On the subject of ironing I always press DH's white hankies, in fact [guilty secret] I enjoy doing it!!! I also bleach and keep them really white [as he has been caught out polishing his shoes with them.]I also press all his shirts/trousers etc as well as my own, but I draw the line at anything else. Pants/socks can be kept soft by popping in the dryer for 10 minutes [even when they are already dry.] See, I am keeping in the spirit of Jinglbellrocks aka j08's original message here, and telling all my housewifely hints....

I've already bought the pesky pud .... and looking forward to the fireworks

Last year these puddings were selling on Ebay for £££s, so I was very surprised about a month ago to see them 'on offer' at a reduced price on Ocado.

It's sitting proudly in my cupboard - think I might add a few sparklers to add to the pyrotechnics!

No wonder I failed as a housewife .... I have never in my life laundered a man's hankie, would rather have sold my children.

Thankfully my ex was a tissue man - Roses I see that you also soften his pants and socks!

I use so-called men's hankies, which are softer on the nose than tissues, and I iron them. Usually. I also iron teatowels, napkins and pillowcases, but not much else.

I use man sized hankies as well. Yes they must be ironed!

As I usually have bits of tissue in every pocket [coats, cardigans, jeans etc] I keep meaning to just use hankies. In fact, along with thinking that everyone should have one biro and then replace that one biro with another [or with a refill, like wot we used to do; I mean, hands up who owns tens, possibly hundreds of biros or varying ages] I want to start a campaign to get everyone used hankies again. Men do; I reckon it's just women that don't. Although this is just for use on sniffy noses; tissues should be used for heavy duty stuff. And then thrown away. Before they make their way into the washing machine, and cause a disaster.

Eglantine I soak them in a bowl of water when they're dry for a few hours( why I never need soaking). Never water from above and keep them in the coolest part of the lounge , ie in front of the fireplace. I move it if I have a fire though!
See picture thread

Galen I thought you were talking about hankies at first! Ironing is the work of the devil designed to keep women down and I will have no truck with it.

I put his hankies in the wash with his drawers pants, well away from other laundry. When dry I fold each one twice, make into a pile, and iron the top of pile well. It does.

He is tissue phobic.

sunseeker I thought Galen was talking about hankies as well.

jinglbell it's nice to see you posting again.

Can't stand ironing but my poinsettia is soaking in a bowl of water as I type.

I lurve ironing , find it very theuraputic . Wish I could do more !

I'll send you mine, Nonu! Anything to help out a friend...

Thank you dustyangel.