Ironing services cost: Which items cost more to press?

Ironing clothes by yourself might seem practical until you start doing it and realize you’re still far from reducing your pile. Fortunately, you can have professionals do this chore for you–and it’s easy to find where you can get your clothes ironed affordably. 

If you’re wondering how much this service costs, most ironing service prices are charged per hour, per piece, or by weight. For instance, the average cost of ironing services per hour is between $15 to $18, with $20 being the highest. Read on to learn more about ironing prices to budget for this service. 

Ironing price list per task and item

Ironing doesn’t just make your clothes look sharp. In fact, research shows that ironing actually serves as a form of fabric sanitization. When that hot iron passes over your fabrics, it helps kill bacteria lurking in the fibers and removes those funky smells that washing alone sometimes misses. 

To make budgeting easier, this section is split into two practical categories. First up is "price per task,” showing hourly and weight-based rates, followed by “price per item,” with costs for specific pieces like shirts, sheets, and specialty garments. While actual costs may vary by location, these figures give you a solid starting point.

Average cost per task

Need rates for your ironing pile? Here you’ll find exact rates by hour, ensuring your clothes stay perfectly pressed and fresh-smelling long after service. Basically, you’ll often get better deals when bringing in larger loads at once. 

Average cost per item

Some clothes just need extra care. Maybe it’s your go-to work shirt, those crisp pillowcases you love, or something recently repaired that needs a proper finish before use. Below are the ironing service prices per item or article of clothing, which already includes dry cleaning. Again, these are local estimates and may vary in every city.

Factors that influence the costs of ironing services

A professional ironing a shirt. (Source: iStock)

Several variables affect the cost of laundering and pressing a t-shirt and other clothing articles.

Pricing method

Determine the primary cost factor of the ironing service you choose. As mentioned earlier, professional ironing services can charge you by the number of clothes, their total weight, or per hour. 

Ironing companies that base their cost on weight might be the best choice if you have plenty of thin and lightweight clothes. Alternatively, ironing companies specializing in clothing with sensitive and delicate materials often charge by the hour. 

Types of clothing

The type of clothing can also increase service costs. Some articles of clothing are tricky to press, such as wool clothing. Ironing companies typically handle clothing and bed covers with corresponding charges for each item. 

Delivery service

Top-quality ironing and expert laundry services usually offer pickup and delivery. Some offer free delivery after ironing shirts and other clothing if you live in their proximity. Most free-charging pickup and delivery services have a minimum order cost to use their services, often at $25.

Ironing companies will charge for long-distance pickup and delivery. If you live nearby and have too many clothes and need a vehicle delivery, you will likely have to pay for its delivery. Be sure to ask your prospective shop about their delivery costs and other additional services to factor in the total costs.

Ironing service duration

Some ironing companies charge by the hour. A large volume of clothes or delicate clothing that requires specialized equipment and expertise will take more time to service the entire queue. 

Often, expert ironing companies knowledgeable and equipped to handle clothing with tricky structures or unique materials charge per hour. On average, you pay $15 to $18 per hour.

The local market

The number of laundry and ironing companies in your area also determines the average cost of the service. Some areas with one or two clothing ironing businesses may see higher prices than areas with a competitive market. 

A woman ironing with a professional iron. (Source: iStock)

Saving money on ironing services

Here are some helpful tips to save money on ironing services.

Determine the best primary cost factor

If you have only a few clothes, entrusting them to an ironing company that charges by the hour or by weight can save you money. On the other hand, if you have silk and similar clothing materials that might be damaged when ironed, a per-hour or per-piece ironing company is the best choice.

Hanging your items

Try hanging wrinkled clothes in your bathroom during a hot shower. The steam naturally relaxes fabric fibers - just smooth with your hands afterward and let air dry. For stubborn wrinkles, spray lightly with a mix of water and a tablespoon of fabric softener, then gently tug the fabric smooth.

Iron only when necessary

Working in your home office? You can wear casual and relaxed clothing most of the time while working–you don’t need to press your clothes if you’re working remotely. Unless you need to wear a button-down polo, you may need to iron that. 

If you have to go to the office every day, you have the clothes you need for the following week pressed. 

Wash as needed

Not all clothes need washing after one wear. You can wash some articles of clothing only after two uses. Moreover, duvets need cleaning once or twice every two weeks. For example, jeans and jumpers may only need washing after two or three wears. 

Shop around first

There are plenty of ways to compare prices from all laundry and ironing companies in your area. Then, compare the offers you receive from various ironing companies.

Post a task for ironing services

Ready to cross ironing off your to-do list? Post a task on Airtasker today and connect with a professional ironing service provider in your area. When creating a task remember to add the following:

1. Details about your items (types, quantity, any special fabrics)
2. Mention when you need pickup and delivery
3. Set your budget range
4. Any specific instructions for handling your clothes

You'll soon receive offers from local ironing experts, often at better rates than high street shops. Select someone with solid reviews, and before you know it, you'll have perfectly pressed clothes without the hassle.