The Perfect Solution to Ironing

I have friends whom I call The Perfects.

Mrs. Perfect is a gorgeous, six foot tall personal trainer and a great mom. She's sweet, funny, generous, and a loyal friend.

Mr. Perfect is a handsome, brilliant, very successful attorney who is also a gourmet cook. He loves children and dogs. He gets weepy when he talks about his grandchildren.

The Perfects have three perfect children. The oldest was Valedictorian in high school and top in her class in Med School. She is strikingly beautiful. Her sister, also Valedictorian, was recruited by one of the top MBA programs in the country, and is right up there in looks with Mama and Sis. Little Brother Perfect is good looking, popular, smart, and is destined to be every bit as successful as his sisters.  Oh, and did I mention that he is a Valedictorian as well?

Exceptional good looks and brains obviously run in the family. But so do good values and generous hearts. And the kids? Well, they are just not normal party loving young people destined to learn about life the hard way. Nope, the Perfect girls came home for the holidays and spent their vacation cooking with dad and making a gingerbread house the exact replica of the family home. Makes you kind of sick, huh?

I had dinner with Mr. and Mrs. P one night and we were discussing domestic matters, specifically sheet thread counts, fabrics, etc. Mrs. P told me she found the most wonderful bamboo sheets, Cozy Earth. (Of course I ordered them immediately. They are incredibly soft and well worth the price.)

Then she hit me with it. I still can't believe it.


She irons her sheets. Herself.  For the whole family.  

This is really more than I can bear. 
I haven't owned an iron since 1998. Cotton dress shirts go to the cleaners. That's what professionals are for. But I have found a product I can't live without for getting out wrinkles. It's called Downey Wrinkle Releaser. 

Take a cotton tee shirt out of the dryer, grab your Downey Wrinkle Releaser, and spray. Spread the tee shirt out on a flat surface, or hang it up, pull it so there are no wrinkles, and let it dry. Ta Dah! Looks like you've spent hours over an ironing board.

I once bought ready made linen drapes that were terribly wrinkled from being packaged. I lay them on my bed, sprayed them heavily with the Wrinkle Releaser, and smoothed out the wrinkles with my hands. After they dried most of the wrinkles were gone. After I hung them, I sprayed them again, and pulled. They were perfect!

I have used Downey Wrinkle Release to smooth out wrinkles in tablecloths (just put on the table, smooth, and let dry), golf shirts, even cashmere sweaters and cotton duvets. It works great and leaves your items with a fresh scent. I keep a bottle right next to my dryer and another one in my closet.

There is only one thing wrong with Downey Wrinkle Release. It's kind of hard to find. Look on the top shelf of the laundry area at your grocery. If you can find it, I suggest you buy a few bottles. If you can't find it, or if you want to save some money, I have an alternative.

Here is a cheap and easy way to make your own wrinkle release spray:
Start with your favorite fabric softener. (I like as few chemicals as possible so I use Method or Seventh Generation brands.) Select the one that has the best smell. Put one capful of fabric softener in a small spray bottle and fill with water. Add a little white vinegar if you want to. Shake.

Here is a great travel tip:
Put a fabric softener sheet into a small travel size (3.4 oz max) spray bottle. When you get to your destination, fill the bottle with water and shake. You now have a wrinkle release spray AND a clothes refresher! 

Frankly, I can't see the Perfects using my wrinkle releaser. It's good in a pinch, but it's not the same as old fashioned ironing. But unless you live at Downton Abbey, or have the hours to spend ironing, it will probably be perfect for you.