I go to great lengths to avoid ironing these days - I've had enough to last a lifetime. However it looks like I might have to take drastic steps tomorrow with some curtains I've just hung. They are in my bedroom which I have just fixed up for my brother and his wife when they arrive from France on Wednesday. They are huge, heavy, stiff and very crushed from being stored in a plastic bag (the curtains that is) - not only that, they smell sorta musty, so I'll handwash them, hang them on the line and try to smooth them out a bit. If that doesn't work I'll have to iron them (shudder!)

The way I learnt to iron a shirt is collar first, then the yoke on the inside of the shirt, with the bottom of the shirt facing you, then turn the shirt sideways and work across from the right side, across the back, then the left side, then the sleeves last. You might have to touch up the area at the front next to the top of the sleeve if it has slightly creased. When you hang the shirt, do up the top button. It hangs better. Sounds complicated, but it isn't when you get used to it. I can do an average shirt in about 3 minutes.