Removing wrinkles from clothing is a practice that has been observed all over the world for a thousand years already and various objects have been used to accomplish this. From simple objects made of metal to contemporary flat irons, ironing of clothes is a tradition that has already been ingrained in our culture. As such, it is interesting to learn the history of this device as well as the proper way of using one.
A clothes iron, commonly referred to as a flat iron, is a household appliance used to press the wrinkles and creases out of clothes by moving it over an item of clothing in an ironing board. Wrinkles and creases are removed from items of clothing through the combination of heat and pressure. It was believed that the earliest form of clothes iron was first used in 400 BC by the Ancient Greeks. They then used a rolling-pin like round bar that was heated before use to create pleats on linen robes. On the other hand, a flat metal paddle or mallet called a hand mangle was used by the empire-era Romans to remove wrinkles from their clothing. Ancient Chinese used pan irons, while 10th Century AD Vikings from Scandinavia used linen smoothers to iron pleats.
A number of improvements and transformations have been on flat irons throughout the years. The invention of the electric flat iron is probably on of the most important transformation the flat iron has undergone. Henry W. Seely invented the first electric flat iron in 1882 which was heated using a detachable wire. This inventions problem is that it takes a long time to heat up while it takes faster to cool down making ironing longer. Despite the initial problem, many researches and studies has been made in order to improve the performance of the electric flat iron. By the year 1926, The Eldec Company introduces the steam irons which revolutionized the clothes ironing business and made ironing easier and faster.
Many still not enjoy clothes ironing despite all the improvements already made on the appliance. The reason for this is mainly due to the lack of proper knowledge on ironing properly. It is therefore necessary that one knows how to iron properly in order that he/she will enjoy clothes ironing. The first thing to be done when ironing is to plug the device and set it on the right temperature depending on the type of fabric and ironing requirements you will be able to find form the garments tags. Do not also forget to pre-heat the machine before using for easier ironing. Once pre-heated, ironing can begin with the reminder to avoid stopping the iron at any one point as this may cause burning of the fabric or clothing.
Choosing the best flat iron suitable for your needs despite the many "wash and wear" clothes available today that you can buy. When choosing a flat iron, the recommended type is always the non-stick coated finish or those with or stainless steel soleplate to help the iron glide easily and not stick as well as protect the fabric and makes ironing quicker. Flat irons with variable heat and fabric settings are also a must as this will help you iron various types of fabrics using the correct amount of heat.
Creating a good first impression can be easily done by wearing wrinkle free clothes. Thus, no matter if there are already many "wash and wear" clothes in the market, choosing and having the best flat iron is still important and essential.
A clothes iron, commonly referred to as a flat iron, is a household appliance used to press the wrinkles and creases out of clothes by moving it over an item of clothing in an ironing board. Wrinkles and creases are removed from items of clothing through the combination of heat and pressure. It was believed that the earliest form of clothes iron was first used in 400 BC by the Ancient Greeks. They then used a rolling-pin like round bar that was heated before use to create pleats on linen robes. On the other hand, a flat metal paddle or mallet called a hand mangle was used by the empire-era Romans to remove wrinkles from their clothing. Ancient Chinese used pan irons, while 10th Century AD Vikings from Scandinavia used linen smoothers to iron pleats.
A number of improvements and transformations have been on flat irons throughout the years. The invention of the electric flat iron is probably on of the most important transformation the flat iron has undergone. Henry W. Seely invented the first electric flat iron in 1882 which was heated using a detachable wire. This inventions problem is that it takes a long time to heat up while it takes faster to cool down making ironing longer. Despite the initial problem, many researches and studies has been made in order to improve the performance of the electric flat iron. By the year 1926, The Eldec Company introduces the steam irons which revolutionized the clothes ironing business and made ironing easier and faster.
Many still not enjoy clothes ironing despite all the improvements already made on the appliance. The reason for this is mainly due to the lack of proper knowledge on ironing properly. It is therefore necessary that one knows how to iron properly in order that he/she will enjoy clothes ironing. The first thing to be done when ironing is to plug the device and set it on the right temperature depending on the type of fabric and ironing requirements you will be able to find form the garments tags. Do not also forget to pre-heat the machine before using for easier ironing. Once pre-heated, ironing can begin with the reminder to avoid stopping the iron at any one point as this may cause burning of the fabric or clothing.
Choosing the best flat iron suitable for your needs despite the many "wash and wear" clothes available today that you can buy. When choosing a flat iron, the recommended type is always the non-stick coated finish or those with or stainless steel soleplate to help the iron glide easily and not stick as well as protect the fabric and makes ironing quicker. Flat irons with variable heat and fabric settings are also a must as this will help you iron various types of fabrics using the correct amount of heat.
Creating a good first impression can be easily done by wearing wrinkle free clothes. Thus, no matter if there are already many "wash and wear" clothes in the market, choosing and having the best flat iron is still important and essential.
About the Author:
Micah Pearson is a stay home mum from Nashville. With her husband and 2 kids going to work and school everyday, Micah ensures that her family's clothes are always wrinkle free using her Rowenta DZ 5020 Dampfbuegeleisen Buegelstation.