jillmc

My DH made me a wonderful ironing "board"...it has gotten a lot of use, and there are strings/lint stuck on it from spray starch. Is there a way to clean it without unstapling the whole thing? Or should i just recover it? :}

QuiltingHaven

Okay, here is my solution. I just keep recovering my ironing board. However, I have made 4 different covers that I can take off and wash them. Love your board and I would suggest, taking a nice piece of plain white or creme colored fabric, measure your board and put elastic around the edges (either sewn or make a pocket for it) and then you can take covers off and throw them in the washing machine. Or, you can make a hem (about 2 inches) around the entire cover, about 2inches bigger than you need leaving about 3 inches open in the hem. Then you can thread a strong cotton string (or leftover selvedge strip) through it using a giant safety pin and pull it nicely around the board and tie it with a bow. When needing washing, take it off and wash it. Kind of like a slip cover. Just a couple of things that I do.

NJ Quilter

I would do exactly as QuiltingHaven has suggested. You might get a tighter fit with the string method than the elastic. At least I'm sure I would!

gale

I made mine with elastic so I can wash it. Then the other day, I left the iron face down on it (have never ever done that before) and it's scorched. So I guess I need to wash it now and hope some of it comes out.

meyert

maybe try that spray carpet cleaner? Like you do car seats..spray it on and wipe after it dries vacuum.

Pat M.

Try ironing freezer paper to it and then peel off.

ManiacQuilter2

That is what I am using: Freezer paper. Maybe not too "green" of an ideal but it is simple and works great !!

Kat2

I am not sure how to resolve your problem. My DH had also made me a big board for the ironing. When I use spray starch or sizing, I use an old top sheet, when it gets loaded with strings and too much starch, I can just wash it. The ironing board stays clean when I'm just iron backing fabric

bearisgray

I think I would do the cover with elastic or cord and just put it over your fastened down cover.

I also put a cover over the cover when I starch/size the fsbric, but the regular cover seems to need to be washed evrry so often, too.