Best Ironing Board?

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mrb627

mrb627

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Okay. I am ready to start my research on what is new and exciting in the world of ironing boards. If you have an ironing board that you think is awesome, let's hear about it. Hate it? Post that information too!

Would like to order a Laura-Star, but the service network in the USA is almost extinct. No dealers to be had either.

Seems there is also a 'Monster' version of the LS, but seems to be much the same quandaries.

Lastly, there is a Reliable Vacuum Board C81 or C88 that interests me as well.

What are your thoughts on ironing?

Malcolm
 
My sister, who irons much more than I do, has one of these and swears by it. It's wider than a regular, inexpensive board. And yes, she sets the hot, steaming iron face down on the holder--which I think is freaky--but that's what it's made for, I guess.

I was taught, back in the 1970s, to iron shirts on the wide end of the board, which I do to this day. My board is a super-cheapie purchased at Ace Hardware. I don't know the brand and certainly wouldn't recommend it to someone wanting to step up to a better board.


frigilux++4-29-2014-13-12-40.jpg
 
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Dont buy

A new one...they are all flimsy! Mine is a 50s Proctor and I wouldnt trade it for anything..its as sturdy as a rock...my Aunt is using the Sears Maid of Honor she got when she and my Uncle married.....in August of 1947!!!
 
mine is

A 50's Mary Proctor with matching MP cord minder in aqua
also have my grandmas from the 40's but its a little to short for me
and a HEAVY old GE iron
 
 

Malcolm Lara Stars ROCKS. !

The company are there,every home show every year I attended.

Cheaper priceing when there promoting.

But one or two passes each way your done !

Shirts ,paints, huge resevior,nice looking.

Cant be Beat.

As for a hand ironing system.

That is one ironing system...

on the top of my list for me.

Good luck I hope to see what you get.

 

Darren k

[this post was last edited: 4/29/2014-20:39]
 
I've got a beefier version of the one Frigilux posted.  It's got square tubing for legs with strategic crimps to increase strength and stability.  It also has a spring mounted cord holder that lifts the cord up about 20" and I adjust the cord so the iron just reaches the tip of the board. It also has a plate to rest the iron on - the plate holds it at an angle so the steam isn't triggered.  It's wide and has a nice rack underneath to hold freshly iron items.   Had it about 10 years, it was from a Martha Stewart collection, she called it a tailor's ironing board.  Also it is adjustable in height, a real plus since I'm 6'4" and used to get a back ache ironing on a too low board.
 
Ironing Board

Malcolm, for $2K it should do the ironing for you, hang up the clothes, and put them in the closet.

I use a Rowena steam generator, the one made in Germany - not the China model. I love it! I also purchased two for the Estate I manage in Palm Beach and the housekeepers love them.

For an ironing board I use a Reliable ironing table with the extension for sheets and tablecloths. It is excellent.

Richard
 
First Question Is How Much Ironing Do You Plan On Doing

Along with what sort of items?

Mainly shirts and trousers? Linens?

If you mainly do a few things per week then I'd look for a vintage ironing board from any thrift, garage sale, Craigslist, etc... and call things a day. Lady Seymour, Mary Proctor, Magla, Rid-Jid are all good brands.

Have a vintage Mary Proctor "flip top" board that one thought for years was the bee's knees until I nabbed a Rid Jid off fleaPay. Just loveeeee dat Rid Jid.

It is heavy, stable, adjusts with finger tip control to various heights. Even is designed with room for one's knees and legs should you wish to iron sitting down.

The Mary Proctor "flip" ironing board shines because it is basically a long rectangle. Great for doing linens and you can flip one end down to create a point when doing shirts, blouses and other items. Though find such things go faster with a "square" end as it is.

Vacuum ironing boards are good if you are using steam generator or boiler ironing systems. Otherwise don't really often see the point. Since I dry iron damp linens my Hi-Steam vacuum ironing board sees very little use.
 
Ummmm.

I, too, iron using the square end for shirts. It does make things go faster and neater.

For years I worked with an enamel board purchased from Rickel's (any Jersey fans will remember them!). It finally rusted to the point where the oxydation worked its way through the pad and cover. I wash my cover every month or so.

While I was working at THD we had a sale on flow-thru grid boards one week. I bought one and it's here with me in SoFlo. It's name-unknown but I'm very happy with it.

P.S. I iron most everything. I gave up on towels and sheets a couple of years ago, but still do pillowcases. My mom's motto: If you can see it, you iron it!
 
Steam ironing

When I do iron, there is so much steam that I can only do about 6 items before I have to dry the board/pad. So a vacuum board would be preferred. The Reliable brand is probably my best choice!

Malcolm
 
I love

my Leifheit Airboard Fusion XL. It is very sturdy without being overly heavy and does not wobble or rock. It has an extra wide board, which I love for linens, skirts and sewing. The height adjusts smoothly and easily. I am fairly tall, and I like how it seems to be higher than most other boards at it's tallest setting.
 
 I guess I'm lucky that I won't ever need to buy an ironing board.  My parents house, paternal grandparents house, and mine all have ironing boards that fold up into the wall.  The only problem with ours is that at one time it was also used as a dining table.  It has a another section underneath with hinged sides that fold out to create the table.  This makes it very low to the point that I have to sit down to use it comfortably.  That bottom section does come in handy however when baking and needing extra cooling space for cookies, turkeys etc. 
 
Arvin 87T37

Here is a pix of our Arvin 87T37. 1950's vintage.
The sturdiest ironing board I've ever encountered.
Visit your local ARVIN dealer and pick one up! Easy terms available.
Also shown is the Sunbeam Shot-Of-Steam daily driver.

paulg++4-30-2014-13-31-20.jpg
 
Is Brabantia products available in your area?

I have the largest one they make and its superb I get through a cover about 2x a year but any with a drawstring works it holds the iron at a easily grabable angle and is made for steam generator irons its a over 10 years old now but still in one piece..

Austin

I believe Minky make one of a similar size too
 
Malcolm:

"I can only do about 6 items before I have to dry the board/pad."

Part of that has to do with the mega-humid climate in Georgia. I'm a heavy steam user, too, and I well remember having to stop and change cover and pad periodically.

Since moving to the Midwest, I don't have nearly the problem I used to.

I know - moving 1100 miles North was kind of a drastic solution. But it worked for me. :)
 

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