The easiest DIY solution is to cut up a piece of cardboard into the size and shape you want. Then, cover it with a thick towel or plastic wrap and staple the one you choose to the cardboard before ironing your wrinkled clothes.
Ironing boards are a valuable tool to have when your clothes are wrinkled and you don’t have the funds to pay for a dry cleaner. But in most cases, they take up a lot of space in smaller homes and are not convenient to travel with if you are a nomadic person.
The good news is that you can live without one, and there are many ways to attack wrinkles without using an ironing board.
In this guide, we’ll teach you 12 methods you can use to iron wrinkled shirts and pants without owning an ironing board.
12 Ways to Iron Without An Ironing Board
Kitchen Countertops and Tables (Our Favorite)
This method is convenient for most people since everyone has access to at least one of the two. Also, both surfaces are not easy to damage and meet all the requirements you need to iron your clothes.
Get started by putting one large towel on one of the surfaces above. Towels help make your experience easy so you can finish fast.
They also avert the chances of damaging the surface with intense heat, and your hands won’t slip while ironing. In addition, the towel absorbs any moisture from the iron via steam, so your clothes won’t be wet after you finish.
Wooden Surface
If this is the only option in your home, you can follow the tutorial here. But we would like to note it’s the one we recommend the least on this list, and you should use it if it’s your last hope.
Start by finding a blanket made of natural fibers or a basic towel you use to take a shower. These materials will help you protect your wooden surface from heat and steam, which is not ideal for wood.
Depending on what you are ironing, you can sometimes double it up and use 2 blankets for extra protection.
While ironing, be on the lookout for white spots on your wooden surface. It will mean the towels are not helping, and the wood is absorbing the moisture from your iron. Thin layered surfaces are even more susceptible to damage, so if you have a cheaper table from a store like Ikea, skip the step and move on.
Laminate and Vinyl Countertops
These countertops and heat from your iron don’t mix well. Cover them correctly before getting started, or the glue that holds the countertop together could melt. Put 1 to 2 towels first to keep the steam away and ensure you don’t burn your clothes while ironing.
Stone and Granite Countertops
Both stone and granite countertops have perfect surfaces for ironing your clothes.
They can withstand intense heat levels, so you can iron without worrying about damaging the countertops. Despite this, you must still follow the steps and put a microfiber towel in the middle – between the fabric you are ironing and the surface.
Buy An Ironing Mat
Ironing mats are the best replacements for boards and are priced affordably. Travelers can fold them up and take them everywhere. The best part is setting up the mat takes less than a minute, making it an excellent purchase for busy people.
Also, you don’t need to worry about what surface you use this on because they work on every type. When you finish your ironing, you can store it on a washing machine or in your luggage.
Locating an ironing mat will not take long because they are easy to find locally or in an e-commerce store. If you can find one with magnet edges around the corners of the mat, we suggest you pick that one because they sell fast.
They are popular because these mats stick to any surface and won’t slip up and down while you iron.
Use the Top of Your Washer or Dryer
This method is helpful because it simulates almost the exact surface of an ironing board. Once your clothes are ready to come out of the dryer, your ironing surface is conveniently in front of you, so there is no need to walk over to another area of your house.
Combine the previous method by using an ironing mat and mixing it up with this one.
The magnetic lining on the ironing mat will cling to the top of the washer or dryer. Following this technique, you spend less money and save more time so you can get on with your day.
Use Your Floor
This method is budget-friendly but will hurt your spine if you are not a yogi who is used to sitting in that position for a long time.
However, this is the way to go if you don’t have money. Be aware of the kind of floors you have, and if they cannot handle the heat, use 2 thick towels instead of 1 before starting.
Ironing On Your Bed
Ironing on your bed is the most convenient method in the morning since your closet is usually nearby.
Remember that you still have to follow the safety protocols used in previous methods and cover your bed for moisture protection. You can buy the plastic sheets painters use for floors, or shower towels will also work.
If water still manages to seep through, open the windows and let it air-dry.
Hang Your Clothes Vertically
Ironing your clothes while on a hanger in a vertical position is not a popular method to use, but it does work.
Set your iron to the steam setting before starting. Next, activate the iron and set the temperature to its highest level. Doing this will get as much steam from the iron as possible, or this won’t work.
Now, slowly float the iron over your garment. We recommend putting the hanger against your door, so you can let the iron have contact with the surface of the fabric. If the door is made from materials that cannot handle the heat, you can skip that step.
This technique is ideal for light garments.
Use A Wooden Plank
Wooden planks were out before the modern ironing boards sold in stores today.
These planks are cheaper, last longer, and are a solid replacement for ironing boards if you don’t like them. However, we recommend you stick with plain wood planks since the other alternatives are easy to stain.
The first step is to put a shower towel over it and set it on your lap, ensuring the angle feels flat. If you can’t get it to stay balanced, buy a towel-wrapped breadboard and place it above your knees.
This tool will let you iron quicker since you have more surface space.
Buy A Wrinkle-Release Spray
We suggest buying the wrinkle-release spray for anyone short on time who wants an easy solution to wrinkled clothes.
The formula in this spray helps loosen wrinkles in any fabric. Once you finish spraying the creased garment, wait for the time required on the bottle, and your clothes will look like you ironed them thoroughly.
Ensure you give it sufficient time to dry properly before touching it.
Use A Hair Straightener
You might not know it, but you can straighten more than just hair with a hair straightener. This hair tool is also suitable for unwrinkling small but specific areas of your fabric like collars and cuffs.
Get started by hanging your garment on a hanger. Next, softly glide the straightener over the creased area for 2 to 3 minutes. Ensure your tool is clean so you don’t leave any stains behind when you finish. Use this method only on materials with natural fibers.
Frequently Asked Question on How to Iron Without An Ironing Board
Do people not iron clothes anymore?
Some people pay dry cleaners to save time for more critical tasks. But, even if they hire a cleaner most of the time, they still own iron for emergencies.
How do you skip ironing?
Place your wrinkled clothing in a dryer with 5-7 ice cubes for 10 minutes. Once the dryer is done, remove your unwrinkled clothes and let them hang until dry.
