You bought an ironing board to keep your work clothes wrinkle-free but can’t seem to get it to close. It’s actually quite simple to close an ironing board, and you may not have known that there are a range of different types of closures.
In this article, we’ll look at the various types of closures so you know exactly how to close an ironing board.
In This Article
How to Close an Ironing Board
- The first step in folding an ironing board is to loosen the legs.
- The next step is to fold up the leg rests. Then pull up on the handle to extend out of its slot, and pull down on each end of it until you hear a click.
- Now that your ironing board is folded, you can put it away for storage or transport! If you don’t have a lever to help close your ironing board with ease, look for groves on the frame of the board. Lift to unseat the bar from the groves and lower the legs.
How to Close an Ironing Board with a Lever
If you have an ironing board with a lever, follow these steps:
- Lift the top of your ironing board and pull it in towards you so that it’s facing away from you.
- Lower your ironing board onto its storage bag or cover, then lift up on the front end to lock it into place. The entire unit should now fold in half and be ready for storage.
How to Close an Ironing Board Without a Lever
If you have an ironing board that doesn’t have a lever, this is the best way to secure it when you’re done using it.
- Fold your ironing board in half so that the top meets with the bottom of the frame.
- Securely tuck one of its legs into each side of the frame by sliding them in until they click into place (your model may vary).
How to Adjust the Height of an Ironing Board
The height of your ironing board can make a big difference in how much time you spend struggling to press your clothes.
To change the height of your ironing board:
- Locate the small lever or knob on either side of the board which controls its height. Lift it up or down to adjust your ironing surface to suit whatever task you’re working on at the moment.
- If there isn’t any sort of adjusting mechanism on your ironing board, don’t despair! You can still get it set just right by holding one end in place while gently bending each side until they’re both level with each other and then setting them down again so they don’t move from where they were placed previously.
More Tips on How to Close an Ironing Board
- Locate the lever or knob.
- Stand it on its bottom end (the squared end).
- Pull the lever or pull up to release the legs.
- Holding the board in one hand, pull the legs towards you with the other hand.
- Store the closed board in a closet until needed.
- Read and review your owner’s manual.
Frequently Asked Questions
The frame is the metal structure that holds up the cover and supports its weight when it’s raised during ironing. The legs are what hold up the ironing board frame itself and allow you to set it at different heights according to your height or preference.
The pad is another important element because this helps keep wrinkles away from your clothing as you move them along its surface using an iron (or another heated pressing device). You’ll want something thick enough not to burn through easily but thin enough that it doesn’t affect how much work gets done during each pass over the fabric.
- Towel on the floor: Ironing your shirts on a towel is a great way to keep your clothes wrinkle-free while traveling or away from home. They’re also perfect for small spaces like dorm rooms and apartments with limited storage. If you’re going to use a towel, we recommend using one that’s thick and folding it in half or thirds to make a large enough surface to iron on so you don’t burn the carpet.
- Use a Table: A table provides an extra surface area where you can lay out items for pressing and smoothing (like if you need to iron a pleated skirt for instance). If all else fails, just prop up some books or magazines underneath one end of your garment so that it doesn’t slip off onto the ground during use! It may take longer than if it were supported by something more stable like an ironing board frame but will still get the job done in most cases (and might even be better suited for certain tasks like pressing pleats).
- Kitchen or bathroom counter: A counter in the kitchen or bathroom can serve as a substitute ironing board in a pinch.
- Try Your Bed: You can also iron clothing on the bed as long as you’re careful not to leave the iron on too long.
If your ironing board is wobbly when you change from carpeting to hardwood floors, it just needs something under the feet to stabilize it. One idea is to spread the legs out as far as possible to make more contact with the ground, and another is to add a small piece of plastic pipe to widen the feet for more stability.
Final Thoughts on How to Close an Ironing Board
Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of how to close an ironing board, as well as ironing boards in general and how they work. With practice and patience, it will become easier for you to open and close your ironing board and enjoy using it for its intended purpose.
Take care of your ironing board so that it can last longer and serve its purpose well for many years to come!
Ironing Tutorials:
Ken Lyons is one of the founding members of Cleaner Digs. He is also the senior editor and contributing author. Ken has owned and operated two cleaning companies in the past: one commercial and one that serviced residential customers. He writes for Clean Digs to share his professional expertise on cleaning and organization. He's been a fastidious cleaning nut and writing about it for more than a decade.
