We all know that ironing is a boring but necessary chore. A tedious job, made harder by the fact that we use tools and equipment (i.e., an iron and an ironing board) which often make ironing even more unpleasant than it needs to be. To make this necessary chore as pleasant as possible this article will be telling you everything you need to know about ironing boards.
An ironing board is a piece of furniture on which your clothes are ironed. The board has a metal frame and a heat-resistant cover that contains padding and moisture-resistant fabric that protects the surface underneath from the hot steam and scorching temperatures generated by an iron while ironing.
Ironing boards can be either adjustable or non-adjustable in height, with adjustable boards usually having an extra leg located at the center of the board, which raises it higher for taller users. When you are purchasing an ironing board, always buy one with adjustable height otherwise you will grow weary while ironing.
The width of the board is more important than its length. The optimum size for most household purposes is 30 inches by 12 inches.
Table of Contents
Types of Ironing Boards.
There are several different types of ironing boards, but all have certain features which separate them from each other and affect how they perform. They include:
- Freestanding Ironing Board: This is the usual type. It has an adjustable feature and can be easily moved around.
- Built-in Ironing Board: These Ironing boards are attached to a wall in the laundry room, and cannot be moved around. They have adjustable features as well.
- Incorporated Ironing Board: This type of ironing board is built into cabinetry, so you can use it only when the cabinet door is open
- Hanging Ironing Board: This type of ironing board is hung on a wall with an accordion-style mechanism. It can be folded away when not in use, freeing up floor space.
- Compact Ironing Board: This is the smallest type of ironing board. It’s also portable, so you can easily carry it to any room in your house or even outside. it does not have the height adjustment features.
How to Iron Using an Ironing Board.
While ironing you have to be very careful that what you are doing is efficient. basically to use an ironing board you just have to set the board up, lay your clothes on it, and iron. however, due to the surface area of the board it might not be easy to lay flat on some types of clothes. here are some tips to iron some type of clothes on an ironing board.
- Shirts: Start by ironing the sleeves of the shirt. Put the first sleeve on the board and iron it then the second sleeve. Don’t forget to open the cuffs of the sleeve. Proceed to the rest of the shirt. You can lay half of the shirt on the board and iron then the order half.
- Pants: Fold the pants the way they would be folded if they were to be hunged, lay flat on the ironing board, and iron out all the sides. since the legs of the pant will be overlapping, open them up and iron the surface of the cloth.
- Skirt: Lay on the ironing board and iron from bottom to top.
How to Iron Without Ironing boards.
Ironing boards are useful to iron clothes but you might not always have access to an ironing board which is not a problem because you can still iron without an ironing board.
Step 1: Find a flat surface
To iron efficiently, you need to do it on a flat surface because it will withstand the heat and pressure of the iron. Plus I can’t imagine how ironing on a not flat surface will work. Finding a flat surface should be a problem. There are a lot of flat surfaces suitable for ironing around the house, be it a table, counter, or even your bed! Here is a list of flat surfaces you can iron around the house
- Floor
- Kitchen Countertop
- Table
- Bed or Sofa
Step 2: Surface covering
Now, this is where the problem lies. You need to cover the surface you are going to iron on so that it will withstand the heat and pressure of the clothes being ironed. The best material for covering surfaces while ironing is an ironing blanket. An ironing blanket is like a towel made of cotton. It’s lightweight, easy to fold and store. You can use it as padding between the iron and whatever you are ironing on; even the clothes themselves!
You can make one yourself by cutting an old heavy cotton bed sheet close to 4 times its size. Fold it in half then make small cuts along the edge of both halves. Then place the blanket over the counter and use it as you would an ironing board!
You can also make one using old towels by cutting them to 4 times their size and folding them in half before placing them on top of your flat surface. This will provide a thick layer for padding between the iron and a flat surface.
Step 3: Heat the iron
Now that you have a flat surface and a cover to withstand heat, it’s time to turn on your iron. Wait until the iron is nice and hot before placing it on top of the folded blanket. If your iron does not have an automatic shut-off feature, set a timer so you don’t forget about it and burn your house down.
Step 4: Ironing
Now that everything is in place, the last thing you need to do is iron. Remember what clothes needed ironing before, this will be easier if you lay them out accordingly on the flat surface after heating up your iron. Start with your shirts then move on to pants. Once you’re done ironing, unplug the iron and move it away from the flat surface.
Ironing Pads
Ironing pads are made to make ironing on surfaces other than an ironing board easier. Using them is as easy as using your heavy blanket or towel you’ve set up earlier.
How to Choose an Ironing Board.
The first thing you want to consider when choosing an ironing board is what you are going for. You can choose from a variety of different boards that have different features that would be useful depending on your needs. Check ironing boards for these features before purchasing them.
- Sturdiness: An ironing board with a sturdy base will provide an even surface that won’t wobble as you press down on it.
2. Height: A taller standing board can be difficult to deal with especially if you are short. A shorter standing board provides less space but is easier to store and use. Get an ironing board that has height adjustment so you can adjust the height of your board to suit your ironing positing. set ironing board to hip your hip level when you want to iron while standing.
3. Length: The length of your board can determine how large the items you will be ironing on is. Longer boards provide more space to work with and are useful for different types of clothing such as pants or large shirts.
4. Folding: This is very useful if you need your board to be stored away. Look for a board that can fold flat and has clamps to hold it in place. This also makes the board portable so you can bring it with you on vacations or camping trips!
In conclusion, there is a lot more to ironing than meets the eye. Having the right tools handy makes it more manageable and easy, you wouldn’t even need to waste your time watching YouTube videos on how to iron if you had an ironing board and an iron! Make sure that you will use these items often before purchasing them; this way you’re only wasting money on something that you will use, not just buy because you think you might need it. Making the most out of what you have makes ironing easier and less frustrating which means more time for other activities!