Korean Job Discussion Forums

[tfunk]

Is it worth buying an ironing board?

I always put my iron onto the maximum setting but that doesn't seem to get the creases out, it just moves them around . What am I doing wrong? I should mention that my iron only cost 12,000 Won.

Does the maximum heat do everything or do I need to set the dial according to the material being ironed?

Having re-read my post it would seem cheaper to get my stuff dry cleaned. Pants don't really need to be ironed too hard..socks, underpants..can you get dry cleaners just to iron your clothes or is that a bit scabby?

[excitinghead]

Are you spraying water on the clothes before you iron them? I don't think I could iron otherwise! I spray them liberally, have the iron on maximum setting, and have no problems.

You could pay dry-cleaners to iron your clothes but it adds up. They iron them after they dry-clean them, but you don't want to get clothes dry-cleaned that just need to be washed, as dry-cleaning damages the clothes a little every time.

Personally, I spend 1.5 hours on a Sunday night ironing all the shirts and pants I have to wear. It sounds like a waste of time sure, but I listen to podcasts on my ipod or watch Korean programs to study Korean on my laptop while I do it, so it doesn't feel like a waste. Also, it makes me feel like a good husband because it means that at least I do some housework.

p.s. Oh yeah, I have a ironing board, the 'western' style where you use it standing up. The Korean ones have tiny legs and are designed for doing it sitting on the floor, but you can find stand-up ones if you look.

[Woland]

The heat setting should correlate with the material the shirt is made of - highest for all cotton, lower for synthetics and blends, lowest for silk.

Are you ironing the shirts dry? If yes, then you won't get the creases out unless you use the steam function. Ironing damp (fresh out of the laundry) is a solution for this if you don't know how to use the steam function. (Note: to use the steam function effectively over time, you need to use distilled water (with the metals removed) in the iron; tap water will eventually build up deposits in the steam vents which will be expressed onto your shirts as you iron.)

A decent-sized ironing board will also provide a flat surface for doing your ironing, but in truth, you can do it on the table, with a thin towel under the shirt just as well.

If you are ironing the shirt while wearing it, then no, you will never get the creases out.

Edit: Fixed typo.

[fibergirl]

Successful ironing depending on the quality of your iron. Also steam helps a lot. But only use distilled water in you iron or you risk leaving brown mineral stains on your clothing from the normal tap water. If you have a cheap iron that doesn't have a steam option you can iron your cothes while they are still a bit wet but again you risk brown stains on anything light colored. Also do not always put your iron on the highest setting you risk melting anything polyester or rayon. The high setting is for linens and cottons, you should step down from there in heat depending on the fabric content, the best way to check is to test the heat in a non noticable place on your garment. You do not need an ironing board but you do need some kind of padding to go under your clothes, a towel or blanket work well.

[excitinghead]

Another good reason for not using tap water is that if I leave water in the spray-bottle I use, after a few days it starts turning green! So I use water from the cooler, and don't have any problems.

I'll never get how Koreans aren't up in arms about the gunk that comes out of their taps...

[tzechuk]

Yes - creases don't come out unless you add water to them.

Be careful about your setting though - you should only iron COTTON on the maximum setting. Synthetics should be on medium and wool should be on low, otherwise you risk burning your clothes.

You could always splash out and buy a steam iron.

[IlIlNine]

I know this isn't the B&S forum, but I have one for sale if someone wants one. Hardly used, perfect working order... new at 80,000, I'd let it go for 40.

[amanda114]

What I have found that works best for the least amount of effort are those steam ducks... just a machine that you fill with water hold it against the piece of clothing and the creases come out... This is what department stores use to freshen up the clothes that have been tried on... You can buy these amazing machines at places like e-mart.. electronic market.. or perhaps costco... beats ironing!

[tzechuk]

[Richard Krainium]

[willneverteachagain]

[bixlerscott]

I wondered if you can get someone else to press your clothes for you.
My co-FT's and I just wash and hang dry our clothes, but not press them. I did find an iron manual in my stack of appliance manuals, but no iron. I suppose the previous FT moved out with it. I could go buy one, but I would not use it as I hate to iron clothes, but prefer to have someone else take care of it for me.

[willneverteachagain]

I wondered if you can get someone else to press your clothes for you[quote]


yes those people are new to korea.

they are called taylors

[JMO]

My next door neighbours at home are Taylors but they never ironed my clothes. Whats up with that?

Anyway a towel and a table is all you need to iron clothes. Well you need an iron but thats a given.

[Pak Yu Man]

Hang stuff and let them dry.
No need to iron.