Easy Washing Machine Corp, Sheet Iron
- Thread starter inquriess
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This promotional sheet was included with the literature on my mom's 1948 Easy washer/spin dryer.
Due to their size, I don't think ironers command a very high price, but perhaps an Easy would be more desirable to some people than the Ironrites that can still be found fairly frequently in thrift stores.
Due to their size, I don't think ironers command a very high price, but perhaps an Easy would be more desirable to some people than the Ironrites that can still be found fairly frequently in thrift stores.
eBay is a good place to start.
Presses like these were generally referred to as mangle irons, and they were popular for many years until a luxury tax drove them from the market. To determine a fair value, pay attention to actual selling prices on eBay, not the sometimes delusional wishing prices of the sellers. The vast majority of the machines that turn up seem to be Ironrite's, so perhaps someone will be willing to pay a little more for an Easy, but who knows.
Presses like these were generally referred to as mangle irons, and they were popular for many years until a luxury tax drove them from the market. To determine a fair value, pay attention to actual selling prices on eBay, not the sometimes delusional wishing prices of the sellers. The vast majority of the machines that turn up seem to be Ironrite's, so perhaps someone will be willing to pay a little more for an Easy, but who knows.
Luxury Tax Didn't Help
But demand for ironers began dropping as American lifestyles began to change.
Tumble dryers became more common in Amercian homes which reduced much of the need for ironing linens,shirts, etc.. This was coupled with changes in textiles and fashions such as the introduction of man made fibers (polyester)and blends that when coupled with use of special settings on washing machines (Permanent Press, Delicate, etc...) and same on tumble dryer again reduced the need for ironing.
More and more married women began working outside the home and didn't have time for ironing even aided by a machine. Also standards began to change. Cloth table linen (napkins, placemats, table cloths) if used at all were either paper or "wash and wear" fabrics that didn't require ironing.
As for the value of an ironer even an Easy, sorry to say they often don't fetch much. There are hundreds on various eBay, CL and other listings for ages without so much as a nibble. Units that do tend to sell are in or near mint condition and sought after by someone local such as a B&B, seamstress or perhaps a small laundry. Anyone wishing an ironer but not wanting to pay several thousand for a new Miele version.
Poor condition ironers sadly probably have more value as scrap metal than someone wanting to spend good money. I got my vintage Frigidare ironer for free (only had to pay shipping costs from upstate), mainly because the seller didn't want it to go to many of the scores of scrappers wanting to take the unit off his hands.
The only rotary ironers with remotely any NIB spares out there are those from Ironrite.
As for original cost,ironers were always pricey items for their day. One version cost nearly $100 around 1920's or so which was a huge sum back then. That was equal to or more than some earned for an entire month and would be over 2K today.
Other members have mentioned here in the group that towards the 1940's and 1950's appliance dealers often bundled ironer sales with washing machines. Housewives really wanted automatic washing machines but weren't always keen on the mangles, but that was a way to move units.
But demand for ironers began dropping as American lifestyles began to change.
Tumble dryers became more common in Amercian homes which reduced much of the need for ironing linens,shirts, etc.. This was coupled with changes in textiles and fashions such as the introduction of man made fibers (polyester)and blends that when coupled with use of special settings on washing machines (Permanent Press, Delicate, etc...) and same on tumble dryer again reduced the need for ironing.
More and more married women began working outside the home and didn't have time for ironing even aided by a machine. Also standards began to change. Cloth table linen (napkins, placemats, table cloths) if used at all were either paper or "wash and wear" fabrics that didn't require ironing.
As for the value of an ironer even an Easy, sorry to say they often don't fetch much. There are hundreds on various eBay, CL and other listings for ages without so much as a nibble. Units that do tend to sell are in or near mint condition and sought after by someone local such as a B&B, seamstress or perhaps a small laundry. Anyone wishing an ironer but not wanting to pay several thousand for a new Miele version.
Poor condition ironers sadly probably have more value as scrap metal than someone wanting to spend good money. I got my vintage Frigidare ironer for free (only had to pay shipping costs from upstate), mainly because the seller didn't want it to go to many of the scores of scrappers wanting to take the unit off his hands.
The only rotary ironers with remotely any NIB spares out there are those from Ironrite.
As for original cost,ironers were always pricey items for their day. One version cost nearly $100 around 1920's or so which was a huge sum back then. That was equal to or more than some earned for an entire month and would be over 2K today.
Other members have mentioned here in the group that towards the 1940's and 1950's appliance dealers often bundled ironer sales with washing machines. Housewives really wanted automatic washing machines but weren't always keen on the mangles, but that was a way to move units.
And Another Thing
Small flatwork was "eaiser" with home ironers, things such as napkins, twin and even double bed sheets; you know that sort of thing.
However large table cloths or today's queen and even king sized sheets present a huge problem. Such things must be folded to fit the width of the ironer roll and that is where the trouble starts. Often housewives ended up with "cat whiskers" and other creases giving the things to look like something the cat dragged in. Still having ironed bed linen (no matter how badly) was something to be enjoyed.
Considering the effort versus the results many housewives just as soon not have bothered. *LOL*
Small flatwork was "eaiser" with home ironers, things such as napkins, twin and even double bed sheets; you know that sort of thing.
However large table cloths or today's queen and even king sized sheets present a huge problem. Such things must be folded to fit the width of the ironer roll and that is where the trouble starts. Often housewives ended up with "cat whiskers" and other creases giving the things to look like something the cat dragged in. Still having ironed bed linen (no matter how badly) was something to be enjoyed.
Considering the effort versus the results many housewives just as soon not have bothered. *LOL*
Thanks for all the info Launderess
I saw a vintage video demonstration of an Ironrite on youtube some months ago, and the speed with which the demonstrator pressed pants, shirts, sheets, and skirts has had me wanting one ever since.
I saw a vintage video demonstration of an Ironrite on youtube some months ago, and the speed with which the demonstrator pressed pants, shirts, sheets, and skirts has had me wanting one ever since.
One major drawback (at least in my opinion) to Ironrite ironers is they offered only one speed. This means laundry has to be just right in terms of dampness for it to dry on one pass, otherwise one has to either stop the roll to press out the dampness or feed the item again (and again) until desired results are reached.
It must take ages of practice to get really good at using "small" domestic ironers for clothing, I've done shirts on both my Ironrite and Frigidare units, and whilst the results are pretty good often find can do things faster by hand.
One ironer I've lusted after and would gladly add to my collection is the large vintage "commercial" Miele ironer sold in the EU and often still found in German homes and coin laundries.
It must take ages of practice to get really good at using "small" domestic ironers for clothing, I've done shirts on both my Ironrite and Frigidare units, and whilst the results are pretty good often find can do things faster by hand.
One ironer I've lusted after and would gladly add to my collection is the large vintage "commercial" Miele ironer sold in the EU and often still found in German homes and coin laundries.
I personally would like to get my hands on an Ironrite mangle iron. Although, I shudder as to what shipping would be. I'd buy a new one if I could. (The Miele ones are about $2k here right now.)
I stopped wearing Khakis because they're a pain to iron by hand. I'd start wearing them again if I had one of these.
I think I'd probably even enjoy sitting down and spending an hour or two ironing my khaki's this way.
I could buy permanent pressed khahi's, but they tend to fetch a premium over the non-permenant pressed ones.
I stopped wearing Khakis because they're a pain to iron by hand. I'd start wearing them again if I had one of these.
I think I'd probably even enjoy sitting down and spending an hour or two ironing my khaki's this way.
I could buy permanent pressed khahi's, but they tend to fetch a premium over the non-permenant pressed ones.
If It's Only Trousers You're Mainly After Pressing
I'd go with a "press" such as those made by Elna or Singer. Or, a Corby trouser press.
Say this because neither will leave a shine on fabrics as normal ironing (even with a rotary ironer) can. For certain textiles that may take a shine regardless one can use a pressing cloth when "ironing", and that is easier with a press than rotary iron.
I'd go with a "press" such as those made by Elna or Singer. Or, a Corby trouser press.
Say this because neither will leave a shine on fabrics as normal ironing (even with a rotary ironer) can. For certain textiles that may take a shine regardless one can use a pressing cloth when "ironing", and that is easier with a press than rotary iron.
