Is it just me, or is "I could see at once they had more real hankiness" the best sentence ever?

Soaking? Ironing? Christ.

odd parity, I think they were trying very hard to sneak a 'hanky panky' reference in! And yes, Estelle, the very idea that she would be ironing a HANKY is quite incredible.

My mum (aged 85) irons everything: hankies, sheets, socks... Her neighbour (aged 91) still starches everything with homemade starch, none of your modern spray starch rubbish. We don't know we're born.

Goodness me. Wouldn't they rather relax with a cup of tea?

Judes - I'm intrigued by your Mum's neighbour's recipe for homemade starch. Does she get through a lot of potatoes, or is there some other technique which is currently a mystery to me?

Martin - I believe she uses cornflour (not to be confused by cornmeal). If you google 'use cornflour to make your own starch for ironing' you'll come up with a couple of methods. And I suppose once you have spent all morning slaving over a hot iron you feel you deserve a relaxing cup of tea. I must say I haven't inherited the need to feel like I deserve one: if I want one I just have one!

I guess we've taken the development of 'easy care' fabrics for granted, really, and your mum and her neighbour have just continued to do what they've always done. Their ages suggest that all the hard work hasn't necessarily done them any harm!

Ah - thanks, Judes. That makes sense now. However, I think I'll stick to just using cornflour in gravy and stews, though. A much tastier use!

We have a lady who does our ironing and she does the hankies. I find that odd but my other half seems to like it.

Hey, if she's paid for it, that's fine by me :)

My Mum Irons everything except socks (age 69 *snigger*) .
Definitely an older generation thing - as I don't have an iron at present and with a lot of shirts there's little need.
Having handkerchiefs is now weird - I have some (including some snazzy khaki ones - ah the little boy in me *snigger*)
Never use them though. Guess its more green (yes ) really.