Extreme Ironing: A Beginner's Guide

Good morning, and welcome, and no, April Fools was last month.

Extreme ironing really did seem like a joke at first: “ironists”, either alone or in teams, go hiking up mountains, rafting across rivers, or even skydiving, all in the name of pressing a pair of pants or two. It appeared to be something you simply try once, just to cross off the bucket list, post on social media, and pretend you actually got some housework done this weekend. However, the more I looked into this outlandish sport, the more I realized that there’s a lot to admire in its enthusiastic participants. Ironists across the globe have formed a tight-knit community based on their shared passion, and put sincere effort in developing and refining this skill. EI requires imagination, endurance, dedication, flexibility, teamwork, flair, and actual ironing talent. There’s always something new to try, and the ironists’ commendable willingness to march boldly into the unknown in spite of all potential risks is definitely impressive, if not slightly unsettling. Though EI lacks the number of dedicated fans boasted by more popular sports, as well as the confirmation that it even is a sport, extreme ironists work hard at what they do and feel rewarded by the experience.

I acknowledge that I won’t be able to capture this entire corner of the athletic community in 6 simple steps, but as with any skill, learning the basics opens the door to more stunning and advanced achievements. EI isn’t for the faint of heart, but for the daring and committed.

Do you have what it takes to become an extreme ironist?

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Tip #1: Read up. 

(Photo "extreme-ironing_27" by b1ue5ky is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

When Phil Shaw of Leicester, England decided to take his ironing work outside and into his garden as a way of adding interest to the chore, he had no idea that what he jokingly called “extreme ironing” would evolve to become a sport that continues to grow in popularity even today. Now called one of EI’s “founding fathers” and referred to by his EI pseudonym “Steam”, Shaw is one of the most respected ironists out there. His book, simply titled Extreme Ironing, provides an overview of the sport, complete with images, equipment recommendations, and advice from one of EI’s most experienced participants. Shaw’s driving philosophy is that ironing is wasted as an indoor activity, and is infinitely more rewarding when performed outside instead and paired with more physically demanding endeavors that add interest and complexity to the original task. Any extreme sport will do: rafting, rock climbing, scuba diving, skiing, snowboarding, spelunking, or anything else you can do with an ironing board strapped on your back. The only rules? You have to actually get some ironing done, preferably with full-sized pieces of clothing such as a shirt or pants. For a professional ironist, the thrilling adrenaline rush of an extreme sport is only half the fun. The rest of the satisfaction comes from crisply pressed clothing to wear the next day!

Don’t just take my word for it, read this Chicago Tribune interview with the author himself, Steam: https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2004-08-11-0408100350-story.html

Tip #2: Bring the right equipment.

(Photo "Marleen" by jula julz is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0)

You wouldn’t think that the equipment for extreme ironing would be too terribly complicated, but there is a short packing list of must-haves for this sport and it undeniably differs from what you use to iron in your living room. For starters, most irons use electricity (read: power outlets) to heat up. However, EI was made to be practiced outdoors, where there are no “plug-ins”. To solve this problem, most extreme ironists heat the outside surfaces of their irons using portable, propane-powered camp stoves that are able to operate under the strain of harsher conditions. There is also the matter of the ironing itself: often, there isn’t room for an ironing board to be strapped to the athlete. These moments are when EI becomes a team sport. When faced with problems like this, a group of ironists will often band together to come up with a solution where each member is able to do a little of the ironing while the entire team experiences the extreme sport together. Additionally, the type of iron used varies in accordance to the conditions of the extreme sport. While lightweight irons are easier to carry when hiking or climbing, heavier, clunkier irons have their uses too, mainly in holding down fabrics in strong winds. Bandages are also helpful in case of burns, a common occupational hazard of extreme ironists. When it comes to EI, preparedness pays off in terms of safety and efficiency.

Believe it or not, there are actually different types of irons. Choose the best fit for you with the Home Depot’s guide to them all: https://www.homedepot.com/c/ab/how-to-choose-the-best-iron/9ba683603be9fa5395fab9019637da26

Tip #3: Know your environment.

(Photo "extreme-ironing_34" by b1ue5ky is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

At the 2019 Extreme Ironing World Championships in Munich last year, 6 divisions were presented for the participants to choose from. To name a few, there is the “water” category, including ironists that raft, waterski, or dive (like the ironists Shark or Dive Girl); the “forest” category for ironists that rock climb, hike, or are somehow able to shimmy up a tree with an ironing board; and the “urban” category, offered to ironists who prefer ironing atop cars or buildings. For each of these divisions, ironists must be ready for anything. Skills like balance, endurance, or swimming are inarguably helpful, but so are abilities like coping with all the weird looks that people throw your way or pressing your clothes while hanging upside-down. Scouting out the area in planning for an EI escapade helps you prepare for what will be expected of you when it’s finally time to iron. Ironists involved in the “water” category have the condition of the body of water in or on which they are ironing to consider. In the “forest” category, ironists must show respect to wildlife and local laws, especially in national parks. When ironing in urban areas, ironists must consider the safety of others as well as themselves, since a dropped or otherwise mishandled iron could mean injury for unsuspecting passersby. No matter where you go, it’s good to have a plan before you break out the parachute and waterskis and get ironing.

Speaking of underwater ironing, a team of ironists in the Netherlands broke this Guinness World Record back in 2011: https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/most-people-extreme-ironing-underwater/

Tip #4: Get involved.

(Photo "extreme-ironing_35" by b1ue5ky is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

EI’s most recent head count boasted over 1,500 ironists across the globe, about twice the number of attendees in your average American high school. In the 2019 World Championships, there were 6 participating countries (Great Britain, Germany, Austria, Croatia, Australia, and Chile) and 8 teams in total, not counting the ironists competing individually. Although it was a British team that snagged the goal medal for the group events, German ironist Hot Pants took home the prize for the individual ones. Sadly, I can’t find evidence of a future championship scheduled anytime soon, but the participation in the 2019 competition just goes to show that there are plenty of others out there who are excited to try this new extreme sport. Plus, it’s a great way to see the world. Some of the big names in EI have even been sponsored by iron-producing companies in their ventures, such as Starch (Matthew Patrick), Short Fuse (Penny Wilkerson), and Steam’s trip to Boston in 2004, paid for by Rowenta. There, the team did some urban extreme ironing hanging off the side of a boat and atop a pyramid of ironing boards. EI has taken its participants to Mount Everest, Broadway, and the Black Forest, to name a few. Plus, you may have already noticed that professional ironists adopt their own code names, and let’s face it, who wouldn’t love to have an alter ego like “Iron Matron” or “Cool Silk”? My personal suggestions include “Ironing Bored” and “Dramatic Irony”.

Get connected on the official EI Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ExtremeIroningOfficial/

Tip #5: Be creative. 

(Photo "extreme-ironing_35" by b1ue5ky is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Researching EI has shown me that there is an underappreciated level of art to the task. Extreme ironists are required to think on their toes inventively, as with any unpredictable extreme sport. Plus, each ironist has their own particular sense of style. Sometimes this comes in the form of increasingly extreme risks, such as ironists who prefer working upside-down or atop cars moving at high speeds. There’s an element of one-upmanship between ironists as they race against each other in their search for the bigger and better. With generations of daredevils-come-before having thoroughly explored every life threatening endeavor humanly possible, originality can be an elusive feature in the extreme sports circle. Successful ironists are able to think outside the box and produce innovative EI ideas unique to their own personal strengths, interests, and capabilities. However, style isn’t always about skill. Many ironists acknowledge how ridiculous this sport can appear, and instead of defending their beloved hobby, they embrace the humor in extreme ironing. One ironist iconically pressed his clothes in the center of a snowy city wearing nothing but cobalt blue swimwear, a knitted black and yellow scarf, and a pair of brightly colored mismatched socks. Just goes to show: the more creative the ironist, the more satisfying their EI experience will be in the long run!

This Yorkshire native and his family are the perfect example of the fun in extreme ironing: https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/extreme-ironing---were-used-7226664

Tip #6: Get the job done!

(Photo "Ironing" by cheerytomato is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Another tidbit about the 2019 EI World Championship: the scoring system values ironing quality over creativity in the extreme sport incorporated by the ironist. On a 120-point scale, style is worth 40 points, speed is worth 20, and the other 60 are dedicated entirely to the ironing itself. If you become too distracted by the risk factor, you will prove unsuccessful in EI’s ultimate goal: well-pressed clothing. From the very beginning, founder Steam has made it clear that extreme ironing is ideally a method of adding interest to the household chore, not complexity to a previously existing extreme sport. Extreme ironists have to finish the job efficiently at a breakneck pace, yet still pay attention to details such as neatly pressed shirt collars or plastic buttons you must take care not to melt with the heat of the iron. Obviously, multitasking is tough, so imperfections are not only realistic, but acceptable. This is where EI becomes a skill you develop over time. With effort, practice, and dedication, you can grow as an ironist. There is always room to improve. Considering how far the professionals have come makes their accomplishments even more impressive. For instance, think of the ironists that bungee-jump! I find it mind-boggling that it is even possible to do such a thing, and do it well. You’d have to be able to iron in your sleep in order to manage both of those tasks at once. Crazy… but amazing….

Need help? Give The Laundress’s article on regular old ironing a read before you try anything too… well… extreme: https://www.thelaundress.com/how-to/360-wash/finishing/ironing.html

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Still laughing? Okay, it is kind of a goofy idea, but you’ve got to admit that extreme ironing, while bizarre, is impressive in its own right. While I am definitely tempted to climb the tree in my backyard and give it a shot, I know I wouldn’t be able to pull it off like a professional ironist could. That said, if any of you readers are bold enough to try EI for yourselves, I would absolutely love to hear about it and will make sure to stand on the virtual sidelines, cheering you on in all caps.

After all, you can’t knock it till you try it.

That’s my dare for you today: don’t be so quick to pass judgement, whether on people, places, or even that Netflix show you bypassed yesterday because it simply didn’t seem like your type of story. Instead, take a little time to inform yourself of the situation first. Sure, it takes extra time and effort, and it may not always pay off in the end. When it does, however, the result provides insight into who you are as you branch out into the uncharted territory of something new. So, why wait to discover something this valuable? This morning I encourage all of you to, shall we say, strike while the iron is hot.