Some smaller appliances consume more energy than larger ones. Irons can put a lot of pressure on the power you use. On the plus side, there are some great irons on the market for saving energy, not just the electricity you use but your energy as well. Combine a good product with these energy saving tips and you could be on your way to doing your part to save the planet.

Before ironing all the clothes in the basket, take a moment to think about what really needs to be ironed. Society’s dress code has weakened over the years and the days of starched shirts, pleated trousers and beautifully pressed scarves are long gone.

Iron wet clothes more easily

By taking your clothes off the clothesline before they’re completely dry, you’ll have less time to iron them. They will iron more easily, so the iron won’t need to be on for as long. Using a fabric spray also works well, as does a light spray with water. A drop of lavender oil in the water can help wrinkles develop once the garment is hung.

Use a clothes dryer

Of course, it’s better for the environment, energy consumption, and your clothes if you hang your clothes on a clothesline outdoors. If you must use a dryer, make sure the clothes are well spun and remove them from the dryer while they are still damp, or use an iron-dry cycle. Always try to keep the use of electrical appliances to a minimum.

Tossing a water-soaked washcloth and a little fabric softener into the dryer will freshen your clothes and make them softer, requiring less time on the ironing board.

bulk iron

It takes more energy to heat an iron than it does to keep it warm, so instead of turning on the iron for your daily clothes, iron as much as you can in one go. Ironing is not a favorite task for many people, so placing the ironing board in front of the TV and working in the iron basket can make a big difference in the tedium of the process.

outward appearances

Iron only clothing that will be exposed, such as t-shirts and pants. There is really no benefit to ironing undergarments of any kind. In winter, shirts worn under a sweater or jacket only need to be ironed on the collar and front labels.

permanent press clothes

When shopping for clothes, look for fabrics marked permanent press. These don’t need as much ironing as cotton and can be washed on the appropriate cycle in the washing machine, which also saves time and energy on laundry.

While the invention of the electric iron was a wonderful thing, there’s no reason to go overboard and iron everything that goes through the wash. Modern appliances save a lot of time, but they can also deplete our energy reserves if they are not used efficiently.