Abstract: A drying and ironing device for a textile element includes in addition to a conventional drying and ironing system, an integral folding device. The folding device comprises a folding blade which is mounted to pivot in a reciprocating manner on a support moved by an electrical jack, below and flush with either side of the textile element hanging down under the effect of gravity on discharge from the drying and ironing system. An infrared transmitter-receiver cell detects the beginning and the end of this textile element and an electronic device generates and counts "pips" triggered by this cell. The folding device also includes an arrangement for gripping and removing the folded textile element.