Is It Time To Put The Ironing Board Away For Good? Here's Why Some People Think So

Since its first recorded use in China in the 1^st century B.C., ironing has been a necessary but often unpleasant and time-consuming chore. The technology behind ironing has evolved over the last two thousand years, but the purpose remains the same — to banish wrinkles from clothing and other textiles. The 18^th century saw the invention of the flat iron, whose name was derived from the material with which it was made. These early flat irons, which were heavy and cumbersome, became the origin point for the modern iron's shape — flat on one side, with a tapered head for getting into folded corners. In the 19^th century, when Henry W. Seely introduced the first electric flat iron to the world, ironing habits remained much the same even as the technology improved. To meet the consumer demand for improved ironing products, the Eldec Company introduced the steam iron in 1926, but the product did not see commercial success until the Steam-O-Matic, which dominated markets in the mid-20^th century.

Ironing's long and storied history is well-documented, but it might be time for the final chapter. As life has grown more hectic and fashion tastes have changed, there is less need for daily ironing. Some people even turn to things like this DIY pool noodle hack to remove wrinkles instead of unfolding their ironing board. Even business professionals, who historically kept up appearances with pressed pants and suit jackets, no longer need to iron their clothes as often as they used to. And the smoking gun to seal the fate of ironing is wrinkle-resistant fabric.

While working for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the 1950s, Ruth Benerito, a teacher turned organic chemist, developed the first wrinkle resistant cotton. She discovered that treating cotton fibers with mono-based acid chlorides made them less susceptible to wrinkling. This discovery kept the cotton industry afloat during the synthetic material boom of the mid-20^th century, creating a natural "wash-and-wear" material.

Current wrinkle-resistant fabrics have come a long way since the 1950s, coming in a variety of fabric textures, materials, and patterns. With the popularization of easy-care shirts, pants, and dresses, many consumers are taking a step back from tedious ironing. Now, you can get by without owning an iron at all. Some are repurposing their ironing boards with various upcycling hacks, while others are reaching for the more convenient garment steamer, which does not require a board to bear down on.

Despite the ease associated with wrinkle-resistant clothing, you should still have an iron in your arsenal, though you'll probably use it less than previous generations. Wrinkle-resistant natural fibers like cotton still need to be ironed on occasion to keep them fresh and pressed flat. Your daily clothes won't need ironing, especially if you avoid laundry mistakes that cause your clothes to wrinkle, but dress clothes should be ironed now and them to keep them looking sharp.

Though wrinkle-resistant fabric is more common than ever, there are still many articles of clothing that are made without the chemical treatments that make that fabric impervious to wrinkling. These chemical treatments, which commonly use a resin containing formaldehyde, can also be rough on sensitive skin and cause allergic reactions. The eco-conscious may want to opt out of using clothing that is treated with formaldehyde-based resins, though there are newer clothing treatment options that are safer and more environmentally friendly. To determine whether a garment is formaldehyde-free, look for certifications like OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100. If you're buying untreated clothes, you will still need an iron to keep those pesky wrinkles out.