'I tried a hack for better looking non iron school shirts from TU and M&S'
The Back to School rush is nearly upon us - school uniform finding, packed lunch prepping, homework filled nights.... it's all just around the corner. The big question is though, are we ready?
Our Manchester Evening News Cost of Living and Family Editor Emma Gill has taken the time to unlock a nifty hack this week to get your non-iron shirts in better looking condition without having to stand ironing for hours on end.
While some of our favourite retailers/ supermarkets have their items labelled as 'non iron', sometimes, as many parents know, this isn't always the case - so we put them to the test.
Oh how nice it is not to have to think about school shirts over the school holidays.
There are a million and one other things you still have to think about - like how you're going to keep the kids entertained for another day and how much that's going to cost you - but for a few weeks it's nice to switch off from the dreaded school uniform.
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Yet what if someone told you that you'd never have to iron another school shirt again? Would you believe them?
Non iron shirts are a thing. We're not talking easy iron here, the packets say 'non iron', well at M&S and Sainsbury's at least.
Sainsbury's and M&S both sell 'non iron' school shirts (Image: Manchester Family/MEN)
But how do they perform? I decided to put them to the test to see how well they meet their promise.
After giving them a good crumple, I put two of each in the wash at the recommended 40 degrees.
While M&S ones recommend tumble drying and then 'promptly hanging' for 'best appearance', the Sainsbury's TU ones suggest hanging 'promptly' after tumbling OR washing, suggesting you may well get the same effect without the dryer. I was dubious to say the least.
There's lots of promptness needed isn't there and I don't know about you but nothing about the washing is prompt in my house.
It'll usually sit in the washer for at least an hour before I get chance to hang it out. If I've asked to kids to do it, then usually longer, if at all.
Without the tumble dryer both looked a mess (Image: Manchester Family/MEN)
And if something makes its way to the dryer, well, it could be there all week. Especially if it's one of the husband's 'I've started and I'll finish who knows when' jobs.
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But for the purpose of this little experiment, promptness was my middle name. I was ready to pounce on the beep beep of the washer and dryer.
I was right to be dubious about Sainsbury's advice to hang straight from the wash. I tried this with both and both shirts looked like they'd been sat on by the dog.
With the dryer - and my speedy retrieval from said dryer - the results were much better. Far from perfect, but better.
You could get away with it if you hang them straight from the dryer. Slightly less creases in the M&S one, left (Image: Manchester Family/MEN)
I can't say either were crease free, but you could get away with it, especially when half of their shirt is usually tucked in or hidden under a blazer most of the time. If I had to pick a winner I'd say the M&S one performed slightly better overall.
I know most people are cutting down on their tumble dryer usage given the energy bills, but they don't take long in there. Just a few minutes.
If you can be organised enough to be ready to pounce as soon as they're dry, then you'll be saving yourself a lot of time in the long run.
Non iron school shirts cost from £8 for a pack of two at M&S and from £4 for a pack of three at Sainsbury's.
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