Iron Less, but Stay Wrinkle Free

Follow a few simple steps to cut down on your ironing time, while still keeping clothes looking their best.

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Photo: Gerville Hall / Istock

By Brian Clark Howard

Follow a few simple steps to cut down on your ironing time, while still keeping clothes and other fabrics looking their best.

Typical portable irons draw a whopping 1,000 to 1,800 watts, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. That's as much as 10 to 18 100-watt lightbulbs! Luckily, you can save energy (and elbow grease) by removing clothes from the dryer and hanging them up, or neatly folding them, while they are still warm. This will prevent many wrinkles from forming in the first place. (It also means your roommates don't have to bug you about leaving your clothes in the dryer.)

If your favorite shirt or work pants do get creased, hang them up in the bathroom while you shower, and the steam will straighten them out. If you do have to break out the iron, save energy by doing a large load at once. Don't overheat the thing: iron lightweight fabrics first on lower heat settings, then work your way up. Dry ironing tends to use less energy than getting all steamed up.

Many utilities suggest ironing at night, when electricity is cheaper and loads are lower.

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