Ironing board covers
 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]588926[/ATTACH]I don't know if I'm doing something wrong when I iron but my ironing board covers seem to get stained really fast. I usually use a lot of steam and put distilled water in my irons. I occasionally use Best Press starch. But it seems like within a few months of using a brand new cover it looks like someone spilled tea all over it. Laundering doesn't seem to get the stains out. Any tips on avoiding the stains or getting the stains out?

Unless you stop using steam and starch, there's no way (that I know of)
to avoid this. Mine is not as bad because I usually use a dry iron.
But I do starch my fabric. Just consider it a well loved ironing board. :)

Patterned covers won’t show stains as much and it won’t bother you as much.

I had the same problem when I used Best Press - changed spray starch and not so much. I also use a dry iron all the time now because I was getting those marks on light fabric too.

My ironing board cover looks pretty much like that. I do use steam on some things I iron, and Best Press and spray starch and sometimes spill water when I'm filling it. Personally, I don't worry about it. I just wash it occasionally and buy and new one at Joann's with a 50% off coupon when it gets too bad. Its not going to hurt your fabric.

Looks like my ironing board too.

I think the only way to avoid this is to not iron. I make my covers last longer by only ironing quilts, not clothes.

so that's your story and you're sticking to it!!! LOL

I was surprised to find ironing board covers come in a wide range of sizes - I thought there would be two, standard and table top. But "standard" boards can be all kinds of lengths, as I learned to my chagrin when I bought a cover online.

I find that that the flimsy foam underlayment gets destroyed real fast, so I put a layer of cotton batting under the cover.

How about using some of that gray quilted (insulated looking) cover. Won't show the stains as bad. Do you have a lot of minerals in your water?

Looks just like mine!!!

I have a board that sits on top of a dresser. I use a darker color in more of a home dec weight. When it gets really nasty I just make another. I wrap it around the board and staple it to the back.

and mine, particularly the full size one. I don't get it out very often so it doesn't bother me much :)
The table top ironing board is the one I have out and do generally all my ironing on. I used the original cover for a pattern and make myself a new one every year. Right now is has dark blue background with bright yellow sunflowers on it. Makes me smile every time I turn to use it. hardly show staining at all.

One year I used red background with white buttons all over it. Oops...don't use red.

I'll never make one of the big boards, not willing to give up any space for one.

Yes, mine looks like this too and I don't use steam as it conked out on me a while back so I spray mist my fabric/blocks. Most all my fabric gets starched before I start cutting into it though so I'm hoping this is caused by the starch. One of these days I'll change it out but until then, I live with it.

This is caused by high heat and starch. You can try washing it, but it really won't do much. I use the "silvered" fabric covers. Doesn't show the staining as much and the silver helps to reflect more heat back onto the fabric you are ironing. Try using a dry iron, spritz the fabric with water (for steam) and then starch them. Hope this helps.

Looks like my ironing board cover and I just assumed that it was the Best Press I was using. I bought a new cover the other day and iron with a dry iron to avoid the stains. I think it is just what is going to happen with the steam and starch. Sorry. :(

I always seem to spill a little water when filling the steam iron, so now I have a small hand towel that I lay down whenever filling the iron. I buy a new cover periodically, too, just to freshen up the look. Because my sewing room doubles as a guest room, every time I get a new cover I wonder if I should get two - one for company!

I don’t use much steam but when using Best Press or other starch product, I put a large beach towel down on my ironing surface so it stays pretty clean. I’ve had this board for 2 1/2 years.
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Looks like mine! I just replace it when it gets too bad.

Jmoore, thanks for the colorful picture! Nice to see first thing in the morning! I gave up putting water in irons years ago. Just too messy. I spray with a bottle of water when needed

You can put a square of muslin on the board to protect the cover. Change out as needed.

When using starch let it sink into the fabric for a few minutes and then press. I will starch pieces and hang in the shower to almost dry, then press.

I cover a square piece of plywood 20 x20 with batting and the silver fabric for my ironing surface.

It looks just like mine and it doesn't bother me a bit. I tried a patterned cover once and thought it was too distracting.

I had the same problem. Then I made a new cover from canvas. What a difference. Doesn't stain as quickly and for pressing it's great. Lasts a lot longer than those flimsy purchased covers, too. (I use old towels for padding.)

That is scorching that you see. It can't be helped, as you most likely iron in the same spot all the time. I have a large 60X80 table that is covered with the teflon fabric (the silver stuff you can get at Joanns) and padded with a wool blanket and cotton batting. I have to replace it every couple years because it gets stained like that. I try to use different parts of the table to iron so I don't get the scorching. I find the plain or print fabric covers scorch faster then the teflon does. I have taken an old ironing board cover and used it for a pattern to make a new one, then take some heavy string and zig zag over it, being careful not to sew through it, and you will have a gathering string to make it fit nicely.

I buy heavyweight unbleached muslin and make my own. Now that I have a pattern, it's very easy and quick to make a new one.

jmoore - your room is so cheery and your design board is delightful & fun with all of your interesting and colorful blocks!!

My board looks the same as janjanq - I made my top cover and it is patterned - I periodically wash it to remove residue from the starching. Underneath the top cover I have a thin thermal batting and then a few layers of flannel to help preserve the heat when ironing. Right now I have to replace the string that holds everything in place - came out during the last washing but haven't taken the time :p - I have the top cover creeping up and off sometimes and it's very annoying - guess it's one job that I really should try to get done asap so that I'm not tugging, smoothing and pulling at it every time I press :mad: - just being lazy :thumbdown: - I want to keep sewing fun things!!