Pleasanter Ironing Days

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 85, Issue 2, 15 August 1952, Page 187

Pleasanter Ironing Days

IRONING is a process by which is produced a smooth, wrinkle- ■ free appearance on woven or felted materials and accomplished by some type of iron". That is a dictionary definition, but to most housewives ironing is a process by which they become hot, tired, and eventually anything but wrinkle, free. The following article by Maud B. Strain, Field Officer in Rural Sociology, Department of Agriculture, Dunedin, suggests methods of overcoming the unattractiveness of this chore and making it almost a time of relaxation. THE forerunner of the modern iron was merely a conveniently shaped piece of solid metal heated from some external source. This obviously had limitations: The external source, the time, and the place were not always synchronised, or the temperature induced by the external source became unbearable in hot weather. The old-style flat irons are a good example of this type. Made of solid metal weighing up to 61b. they were usually in sets of three, two being heated while the third was in use. To obviate the main difficulty, the external source of heat, the iron with self-contained heating unit was developed, an early example of this being the charcoal iron used by the early settlers. In this iron, which had a chimney, a few embers were placed and it was then filled with charcoal and blown with bellows till the contents were a glowing mass. When it cooled more charcoal was added and the bellows were again applied. Later came the gas iron, an improvement on the charcoal iron in that it had a constant source of heat controlled simply by the gas tap but somewhat unwieldy because of the gas tube attached. It was displaced by the electric iron essentially the same as it is today. Electric Irons The electric iron is almost universal wherever there is electric power, because of its low cost, its satisfactory performance, and the time and labour it saves. It is wise to buy the best iron available because a good electric iron has a long life and requires little maintenance, its initial cost spread over a number of years amounts to an annual expense of only a few shillings, and its operating costs are low. The sole, the ironing surface, should be flat and well polished; probably the best construction consists of a machined, cast-iron sole with heavy chromium plating. It should have a decided point at the front for entering small

places in clothes, and the edges of the sole should be well bevelled to go under pleats and buttons. The iron should be well balanced, not noticeably heavier at heel or toe end, and there should be a thumb rest, preferably two so that the iron may be used in the right or left hand. Another important point is that there should be sufficient space between the handle and the metal part for the fingers to fit easily without coming in contact with the hot metal. There is a choice in weight, which allows for personal preference. It is not essential to have a heavy iron; the final result depends more on correct dampness and manipulation than on the weight of the iron. A further consideration is stability. An iron is usually rested on end or on its side and it is most important that it should maintain this position even when the ironing table is jolted slightly. The heatng point should be to the right of, and about Ift. above, the level of the ironing table. If the housewife is called away even for a minute or two, she should switch off the iron; an iron left unattended for long is a serious fire hazard. Thermostatic Control In recent years irons controlled by thermostats designed to maintain five or more different temperatures have been available. A heat selector dial with pointer showing the correct heat for ironing art silk, silk, wool, cotton, and linen may be situated on, or under, the handle and there is sometimes a pilot light indicating whether the iron is on or off. These are excellent while they function correctly, but it is true of this type that the iron is only as good as its thermostat. If this should give trouble, there are sometimes replacement difficulties; hence it is advisable to make sure that replacements are available before making a purchase. Non-thermostatic irons, which are less expensive and complicated and depend on the intelligence of the user rather than on mechanical ingenuity, will last for many years. Steam Iron Now available is an electric steam iron, which is intended to simplify the pressing of clothes by eliminating the need for the customary wet cloth. It is somewhat

bigger though no heavier than ah ordinary electric iron. A hollow inside is filled with water, which is converted into steam by the heat of the iron. In the sole of the iron is a central, circular channel with three small channels running one in the direction of the toe and one toward each corner of the heel. Steam from inside issues through three small outlets at the beginning of each radiating channel and thus provides a cushion of steam. By the turning of a lever which directs the steam through a small escape outlet on the front the iron may be used as a means of steaming velvet or fur.

This type of iron is handy when dressmaking, because as a damp cloth is not required, it may be used directly on the wrong side of the fabric, thereby making it possible to see what is being done instead of having the

fabric hidden by the damp cloth. Electric steam irons have special uses, but are more likely to be used in conjunction with, rather than in place of, the common electric iron, though they can be used as an ordinary iron.

Travelling Irons

It is often necessary during holidays or when travelling to freshen up a blouse or light frock which has become creased, but irons are not always available when and where they are wanted. For such special circumstances travelling irons have been designed. They are very compact—about sin. long, 2 to

2Jin. wide, and about 3in. highand fit with flex into a leather container with a slide fastener. One point to watch is that there is sufficient length of flex, as light points are sometimes fairly high. . It is comparatively inexpensive and very handy for the purpose for which it is intendedto freshen up already ironed articles. One Disadvantage All the electric irons mentioned share one disadvantage; they have to be worked by hand, usually necessitating long periods of standing at the

ironing board, especially during electricity shortages, when people are urged to do all their ironing at the one time. Ironers Statisticians have worked out from tests that a woman lifts a hand iron 1000 to 2000 times in doing an average ironing; her ironing arm travels up to 5 miles every ironing day. The ironers now available reduce the expenditure of much of this energy. Speed and

efficiency of operation, the ease with which they can handle large and bulky articles, and the fact that the operator can remain seated are the main advantages of these ironers. There are two types of electric ironers: — Rotary ironers, where a circular roller — ironing —revolves beneath an electrically heated shoe—the —shaped to fit the roller. Flat-bed or press-board types, which consist essentially of a stationary flat table with rounded edges—the ironing —with a simliarly shaped metal —the —hinged in an inverted position above the ironing board so that it can be brought down upon the article spread out on the ironing cloth. Rotary Types The rotary models may again be divided into two classes. First is that used in conjunction with a washing machine and attached in place of the wringer, thus making use of the washing machine motor. This is less convenient than a detached ironer and there is little or no support for the articles being ironed, which makes manipulation more

difficult. However, this type is cheaper than the independent unit. The second type of rotary ironer is a self-contained unit and may be used wherever there is a convenient plug. The rotary models for household use depend on a rotating ironing board which moves the articles to be ironed over the ironing surface, the reverse of the procedure in hand ironing. The ironing blanket and cloth are wound round a cylinder which is rotated by an electric motor. The cylinder is free at one end so that articles may be ironed round the end. The ironing surface is usually the same length as the cylinder and during the process of ironing is in contact with approximately one fifth of the area of the cylinder. The ironing “shoe” is hollow and contains an electric heating element. The latest models are thermostatically controlled, so that if they are forgotten, they cannot overheat and become “blued”. In use the cylinder and shoe are ' pressed together or separated as required and these operations are usually carried out by the motor through the use of appropriate levers, This type is, in principle, the same as the commercial laundry “calendar” and is eminently suitable for flat work, for example, household linen and personal clothing of simple construction such as vests, pyjama trousers, and undershorts. The beginner will make a success of all the flat pieces, pillow cases, sheets, tablecloths, and pieces which can be treated as flat (vests, undershorts, etc.). These offer no difficulties, being run through double, the last-mentioned articles being opened out and the body portions slipped over the end

of the roller and ironed singly. The roller revolves so that garments pass under the heated metal shoe, which presses on and irons the work. The roller may be stopped , temporarily to press particular parts. Skill with difficult pieces like shirts will come with practice; progress may be slow while the technique is being learnt, but once it is mastered the operator will never willingly revert to use of the hand iron.

Preliminary work: With rotary ironing, as with all methods of ironing, proper preparation of the clothes allows the work to be done more easily; the right amount of dampening will give the best resultsclothes too wet require too much heat for drying out and clothes too dry will not be free of wrinkles. Orderly arrangement of dampened clothes in the basket is important. Rayons and light fabrics requiring a low temperature could be placed together and ironed first; afterward the temperature could be raised for cottons and linens, or they may be ironed last, making use of the cooling iron. The shoe heats up and cools down so rapidly that running a few tea towels through after the heat has been turned off will soon use up the effective heat. The main point is that if the articles are arranged in a definite order, time will not be lost rummaging in the ironing basket for items that require similar temperatures. Several articles of the same type done one after the other are handled more speedily than articles which each require different manipulation. Domes, hooks, pins, or buttons should not be run through the ironer, as they are likely to scratch the surface of the shoe. Embroidery may have to be finished by hand to give a raised effect. Flat-bed Models The flat-bed ironer has a flat bed of the same shape as an ordinary ironing board, but smaller. It is padded and covered with an ironing sheet and is not absolutely flat, being rounded at the edges. The iron is shaped to fit exactly and when brought down on the ironing board exerts a pressure of over 4001 b. There are two switches on the iron, each controlling half the area so that heat need not be wasted when

small articles are being ironed. In principle the iron is similar to commercial laundry presses, but there are no special accessories for ironing sleeves and collars; however, with a little manipulation these can be done successfully. In commercial laundries where large numbers of similar articles have to be processed presses are made of varying shapes, each corresponding with the article for which the press, is intended (for example, the press for stiff-fronted shirts is the same shape as the starched portion of the shirt). The possibilities of the flat-bed type are worth investigating before an ironer is purchased. As it requires no motor, it is slightly cheaper than the rotary type. The pressure exerted by the shoe on the roller or board is usually rather greater with the flat-bed type than with the roller, where uniformity of pressure is difficult to secure unless the shoe is supported with sufficient rigidity to maintain alignment with the roller at all times. With each type of ironer some hand finishing of parts which cannot be ironed satisfactorily by machine may

be necessary; however, the production of well-finished articles is possible with either machine when they are used correctly. The most obvious advantage of an ironing machine is that the housewife can do the ironing sitting down. If the kitchen table is too high for comfortable working from an ordinary chair, a stool, which should be standard equipment in every kitchen, will be found most satisfactory, with the clothes basket placed at a convenient height alongside. Care and Maintenance An ironer requires very little attention. The machine should be allowed to cool completely with the shoe away from the roller before it is closed and put away. It should be covered with a clean cloth to keep dust and smuts from settling, on the working parts and the table should be dusted before use and kept perfectly clean. The roll cover or ironing sheet should be removed and laundered whenever it becomes scorched or soiled. The motor should be greased every 12 months. This can easily be done at home, full instructions usually being supplied with the machine. Very bulky articles should not be forced between the shoe and the cylinder, as undue pressure on' the cylinder causes excessive wear on the bearings. The shoe may be cleaned by using a damp cloth and any mild household cleaner to remove starch or other substance adhering to the surface. Electric ironers have many points to recommend themthey save time and effort, are economical to run, and require a minimum of attentionbut initial cost is high. It may well : be argued that, in general, these machines do not give sufficient advantage over hand ironing to justify their cost. However, where time and effort , are the main considerations an ironer soon pays for itself by providing opportunity, and conserving energy, for other household tasks.