Why do British butlers actually iron newspapers?

However, ironing the newspapers does not only serve to smooth the paper. The heat of the iron helps to fix the ink on the paper and the reader of the newspaper does not get his hands dirty.

If you also want to iron newspapers and use the iron but also for your white laundry, but you should always put a layer of kitchen paper when ironing the newspaper. Then you will not transfer the ink to the iron and thus not to the laundry.