How to Close an Ironing Board and Properly Store It

Last Updated on January 10, 2023

Not everyone loves ironing, but for most, it’s a weekly chore that needs doing. It can even be frustrating, especially if you own an ironing board that is difficult to close each time you use it.

To make the process a little easier for you, we’re here to advise on folding an ironing board—including the important levers underneath that you need to remember. Let’s take a look at how to close an ironing board and some other valuable tips.

Closing Your Ironing Board

You’ll need to close your ironing board after use so you can store it properly without it taking up too much space in your home. Regardless of the ironing board model you own, below are some universal ways to close an ironing board. It’s an easy process that you can do.

Step One: Clear the Ironing Board

Remove the iron and anything else—including clothes—from the ironing board. Be careful when handling the iron, as the steam may still be hot. You can keep the cover and foam pad on the board’s surface because this won’t make a difference in accessing the pin underneath.

Step Two: Let the Iron Board Stand up

Using both hands, stand the ironing board up on its end, with the pointed side sticking up. The flat end will stay in contact with the floor. Secure the legs before you let your arms completely rest. At this point, the pair of ironing board legs should face you.

Step Three: Find and Press the Lever

Underneath your ironing board, you will find a lever press. You should be able to feel for it, but if you can’t, look for a tool that looks like the letter L. Press the lever (you might need a little pressure). There’s no latch included, so you need not worry about making adjustments. This action will release the adjustment lever, so the legs are no longer locked in place (which is the opposite of what you want when you’re using your ironing board).

Step Four: Collapse the Iron Board

Push the button of the legs in the direction of the ironing board. The hinge in the ironing board’s legs enables the board to collapse underneath.

Making Height Adjustments to Your Ironing Board

You can easily adjust the height of your ironing board using one hand. Your board must be the correct height for your body to avoid any strain on your body when you iron on the surface. So what is the right height level for everyone? Your ironing board should be the height of your hip. This position prevents you from having to bend down to reach an item you need to iron.

If the ironing board isn’t the right height for you, do the following:

• Close the ironing board first and position it on the floor in front of you.
• Reach your hand underneath the ironing board to find the levers that you need to push or slide. Place the part into the pin to secure it with a tension rod.
• With the ironing board still on the floor, press the button while lifting the board to ensure the legs. It should raise and open while you’re pulling it.

Fix an Ironing Board with a Broken Lever Press

Sometimes, the lever on your ironing board can break. When this happens, you won’t press the lever properly, which is an essential part of closing an ironing board. But before you start racing to buy a new ironing board for an additional cost, give the below steps a try to see if you can fix the problem.

• Look underneath your ironing board for the adjustment lever part. There should be two vent holes with a small metal base between both of them.
• The lever press needs to go in between the top of them but underneath the large plate (from what the legs are attached to).
• Insert the lever into the long rod attached under the big metal plate and above the small metal plate. It might take you a minute or so to find the correct spot to insert the lever.
• The bend goes around the long thin rod and into the small rectangle plate on the end of the lever.
• As you push the lever to close, the ironing board will push this small metal plate down, allowing the ironing board to open and close.
• For a permanent fixture to your locking mechanism, you can bend the channel closed using pliers.

Storing Your Ironing Board

Now you know how to close an ironing board, it’s time to collate a list of some places to store your ironing board. Below are some of the most common and creative areas to keep your ironing board.

In a Wardrobe

If you have a wardrobe and are looking for a space-saving solution for your ironing board, this is a great place. If your wardrobe area is large enough, consider a pull-out, small ironing board that you tuck out of the way when you’re not using it. Then when you’re ready to use the ironing board, it’ll easily fold out so you can iron clothes. What’s more, you can place your clothes into the wardrobe straight away, making sure they aren’t lying around the home for several days.

Utility Cupboard

Most homes have a utility cupboard; they’re handy for people to store non-essential items and bulky accessories. Position the board’s side facing the utility cupboard and slide it into space with your hand. Ensure that all mechanisms are out of the way, as the ironing board could restrict other things in the cupboard.

Best of all, when you place the ironing board in the cupboard, there’s no chance of it falling over—like it might if you keep it on display in the hallway or kitchen where you can accidentally brush past the covers. And, when it’s away, it’s out of mind, which means that you don’t have to have laundry on your mind on your days off.

Tuck into a Drawer

If you own a small ironing board, you might want to get more creative about your storage solution. You can place a small-sized ironing board in a kitchen drawer or onto tables with a locking mechanism that keeps it firmly in place but allows you to use a spring mechanism to open it out when it’s time to iron. This action saves you from having to pick up the ironing board and move it to a new location every time.

Ironing It Out

There’s nothing worse than having to manoeuvre around your ironing board because you can’t collapse it. Knowing how to close an ironing board makes a lot of difference in your home. You can store it properly and prevent it from being an eyesore in your home interiors.

After reading this guide, we hope you learned something helpful today. Do you have more questions, or do you want to add helpful information to this article? We want to hear it! Leave us a comment below!