Ironing clothes is not on the list of preferred chores for many people but it is definitely an important one. Ironing if done right can make your clothes look almost like they were brand new again. However, ironing is really not that tough and you can actually iron most pieces of clothing without too much effort or hassle.
Many people while ironing their clothes end up with major creases all over them and this is because they do not iron their clothes properly.
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History of Ironing Clothes
Ironing clothes was being done as far back as 5000 years ago. Ancient China used a metal pan filled with hot coals to smooth out rumpled cloths. The iron that is most popular nowadays was invented in 1882 by Henry Seely who also used electricity to iron clothes.
Features to Look For When Choosing A Pressing Iron.
Not all irons have the same features. Some irons are better and have more features than others. Below is a rundown of the feature to look for when trying to purchase the best iron.
Steam Function
Irons with steam function would either release steam vertically or horizontally. The one that releases steam vertically comes with a nozzle at the top and this gives you more control of where you direct the steam. Many irons nowadays come with this feature and it really does make ironing easier as compared to those that do not have this feature.
So an iron with this feature delivers hot steam which is released while ironing clothes and this helps in removing creases from the clothes. The iron itself has a soleplate that is made of iron and heats up very fast.
Water Tank
Steam irons always come with a water tank that holds the water that turns into steam. This tank has to be filled every time ironing and ideally, you should fill it up when ironing light fabrics like shirts and blouses. While ironing heavier fabrics like jeans and pants, iron them while the water tank is dry and then reload the iron with water for the next piece of clothing to be ironed.
Iron Weight
The weight of iron can be very significant especially if you iron frequently. Irons that are too light tend to move or slide all over the place when ironing clothes. This can be very frustrating and you can end up ironing your clothes wrongly just because of this problem. So, look for an iron that sits well on the ironing board and has some weight to it but is not too heavy so that ironing becomes easier.
Variable Ironing Temperatures
Iron manufacturers have come up with technology that allows the iron to change its ironing temperature based on what you are ironing. This is very convenient as it means that all you need do is iron your clothes and let the iron decide whether it needs more or less heat. So an iron with this feature can be very handy and you would not have to worry about ruining your clothes by ironing them at too high or low of a temperature.
Automatic Shut-Off Feature
This is a safety feature that is found in many irons these days. The iron automatically shuts off after a certain amount of time has passed, usually 8 minutes, if it is not being used. This prevents the iron from overheating and potentially causing a fire.
Pilot Light
A pilot light is an indicator that shows whether the iron is on or off. This is a very handy feature to have as you would not have to guess whether the iron is on or not.
Cord Wrap
This is a convenient feature that allows you to wrap the cord around the iron when you are not using it. This keeps the cord from tangling and also makes it easier to store the iron.
How to Iron Clothes Properly
Now that we know what features to look for in an iron, let’s take a look at how to iron clothes properly.
- Plugin the iron and wait for it to heat up to the desired temperature. If your iron has a variable ironing temperature, then set it to the correct setting for the fabric you are ironing.
- Check the water tank and fill it up with water if necessary. Make sure that you do not fill it up too much as this can cause water to leak out when ironing.
- Place the clothing on the ironing board and start ironing. Start from the top and work your way down. Be sure to iron both sides of the fabric.
- If your iron has a steam function, you can use it to remove stubborn creases from the fabric. Simply direct the steam at the crease and iron it until it is gone.
- When you are finished ironing, unplug the iron and wrap the cord around it. Place the iron back on its stand or in its storage case.
And that’s how you iron clothes properly! With a little practice, you’ll be ironing like a pro in no time.
