ironingbymail

Ironing by mail is a garment-care service model in which customers send garments to a professional facility by postal mail or courier for ironing or pressing, and then have the items returned. The model is offered by some dry cleaners, laundries, and specialty garment-care providers and is marketed as a convenient alternative to on-site ironing.

Customers typically select a service level, prepare garments (labeled with instructions, cleaned if required, and placed in a breathable bag), and ship them using a prepaid label or their own courier. The provider receives the bundle, logs the items, and assigns a fabric type and finish. In the facility, trained staff use industrial irons or pressing machines to press each garment to a specified crease and finish, followed by a quality check before return packaging.

Common options include shirt and blouse pressing, trouser creasing, suit pressing, or delicate handling for fabrics like wool, cottons, or synthetics. Additional services may offer starch, anti-crease treatment, or quick-turnaround add-ons. Turnaround times vary but are commonly in the range of 24 to 72 hours, depending on volume and location.

Customers should consider fabric compatibility and garment construction, as excessive heat or improper handling can cause damage on delicate fabrics or embellishments. Liability policies, privacy, and insurance vary by provider. The service tends to be more expensive per item than in-house ironing but emphasizes convenience for busy individuals or businesses.

Ironing by mail represents a niche within the broader on-demand garment-care sector, leveraging mail and courier networks to deliver pressed clothing without home-based ironing. Its availability is concentrated in metropolitan areas with garment-care providers offering mail-in options.