Ironing is a well-established household task that is repeated several times a week by men and women all over the world. The concept of using heat to get wrinkles out of clothing has been around for hundreds of years. With all the advances in technology over the past 100 years, the iron remains as a beneficial tool in society.

The fact that ironing has been around for so long indicates that it is embedded in our psyche that we know we look smarter in ironed clothes. It is not only about how others judge your fashion; there is also importance in the practice. Turning up for a job interview in a wrinkled shirt will certainly decrease a person's chances of getting a job. Ironed clothes show that an individual is taking pride in his appearance.

To get creases out of clothes, the only other alternatives are to get them dry cleaned, have them steam pressed or to pay a store to iron them for you. Some of these may save time, but in the end ironing your clothes at home will save money.

Washing and ironing your own clothes also saves on the environment as it means your clothes do not come into contact with perchloroethylene, a harmful chemical used in dry cleaning. Ironing your own clothes gives you full control over quality, with regard to both the quality of the ironing job and the condition of the clothes. You lose this control by taking them anywhere else.

People find that ironing can be a relaxing and calming task to undertake. There is also a sense of satisfaction when, after finishing the ironing, you are greeting with the sight of a neat pile of freshly pressed clothes. It is also a household task that can be performed while enjoying other pleasures, such as listening to music or watching television.