I made a new cover for my Ironrite last week. I got it on nice and tight, but have come to realize that my padding is thicker on one side of the roller than the other, and my stuff doesn't feed through straight anymore. Has anyone replaced the padding on the roller? What did you use? It looks like some sort of chopped up wool stuff. Do you think if I took it off and rewound it, it might improve?
Ironrite padding
- Thread starter karmann
- Start date
Help Support :
One can take off the padding and pop it into the dryer on "air fluff" setting for a few minutes. This is what my Ironrite manual recommends for padding that has compacted.
The type of padding used for Ironrite ironers, and indeed all rotary ironers (then and now), along with ironing board pads is called "knitted cotton". It is VERY difficult to find outside of suppliers for commercial laundry rotary ironer's. Even then it will probably come in widths greater than your Ironrite, thus would have to be cut down to fit.
You can try searching various textile suppliers for commercial laundries, and see if they have knitted padding, though many laundries have moved onto Nomex and other man made fibers instead of cotton.
There is lots of vintage NOS Ironrite padding out there, however it usually goes for dear sums on eBay and other such places, but then again you may turn up a deal at estate sales or even a member here in the group. Often persons selling on an Ironrite will have NOS packets of covers and or padding as well, however have usually found such sellers want to sell the things as a job lot.
Another option would be to purchase roller padding for the larger Miele rotary ironer, and cut it down to fit, using your current pad as a guide.
One thing to remember, NEVER launder knitted cotton padding in water. It will shrink and distort, thus will not fit your ironer properly again.
Oh yes, knitted cotton padding was also sold as "silence" under padding for dining room tables.
Launderess
The type of padding used for Ironrite ironers, and indeed all rotary ironers (then and now), along with ironing board pads is called "knitted cotton". It is VERY difficult to find outside of suppliers for commercial laundry rotary ironer's. Even then it will probably come in widths greater than your Ironrite, thus would have to be cut down to fit.
You can try searching various textile suppliers for commercial laundries, and see if they have knitted padding, though many laundries have moved onto Nomex and other man made fibers instead of cotton.
There is lots of vintage NOS Ironrite padding out there, however it usually goes for dear sums on eBay and other such places, but then again you may turn up a deal at estate sales or even a member here in the group. Often persons selling on an Ironrite will have NOS packets of covers and or padding as well, however have usually found such sellers want to sell the things as a job lot.
Another option would be to purchase roller padding for the larger Miele rotary ironer, and cut it down to fit, using your current pad as a guide.
One thing to remember, NEVER launder knitted cotton padding in water. It will shrink and distort, thus will not fit your ironer properly again.
Oh yes, knitted cotton padding was also sold as "silence" under padding for dining room tables.
Launderess
In Future
Always alternate using both sides of the ironer when doing small items such as napkins and such. This way wear is even on the roll and prevents uneven padding.
If you cannot find any of my above solutions, one can use cotton flannellete (napped on both sides flannel) in additon to or as a replacement for padding.
Flannellette is also called "outing flannel", and is used for items in baby's layette such as bunting, blankets, and burp cloths.
L.
L.
Always alternate using both sides of the ironer when doing small items such as napkins and such. This way wear is even on the roll and prevents uneven padding.
If you cannot find any of my above solutions, one can use cotton flannellete (napped on both sides flannel) in additon to or as a replacement for padding.
Flannellette is also called "outing flannel", and is used for items in baby's layette such as bunting, blankets, and burp cloths.
L.
L.
Padding
When I had my Ironrite I found a batting that is used for quilting did the job. One of the names is Warm N'Natural. Most fabric stores or quilt shops will have this.
Like Laundress says, Warm N'Natural has a texture to the batting. You will also need some new burlap. The burlap goes on the roller first, Maybe about 1/2 yard, then once that is secure you use that to start to secure the pad and then finally the cover. I used to turn the head on low when I was winding the different layers and found that helped with smoothing everthing.
When I had my Ironrite I found a batting that is used for quilting did the job. One of the names is Warm N'Natural. Most fabric stores or quilt shops will have this.
Like Laundress says, Warm N'Natural has a texture to the batting. You will also need some new burlap. The burlap goes on the roller first, Maybe about 1/2 yard, then once that is secure you use that to start to secure the pad and then finally the cover. I used to turn the head on low when I was winding the different layers and found that helped with smoothing everthing.
When making new padding, it is important not to exceed the original in terms of fullness. If the new padding is not Ironrite, or you use another rotary ironer's padding, or whatever, it must be the same thickness. If too full padding or too much padding is on the roll, the roller will not rise up as it should, and you may have problems getting items under the roll when it is raised.
Thicker padding also increases the ironing pressure and friction, which can strain the motor.
Thicker padding also increases the ironing pressure and friction, which can strain the motor.
As an eBay Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Warm N' Natural
Can be purcahsed here at Jo Anns Fabrics I have used it on the ironers here and did a very good job.. I use it on the finger rolls with no problems.. but Laundress is right, Most the pads and covers in use today are NOMEX and are VERY expensive .. I just replaced the pad and cover on one of the ironers I have and it cost almost 2000.oo
Can be purcahsed here at Jo Anns Fabrics I have used it on the ironers here and did a very good job.. I use it on the finger rolls with no problems.. but Laundress is right, Most the pads and covers in use today are NOMEX and are VERY expensive .. I just replaced the pad and cover on one of the ironers I have and it cost almost 2000.oo
Whoops!
Skip the above link,auction is for roller cover,not Ironrite padding. Sorry.
Skip the above link,auction is for roller cover,not Ironrite padding. Sorry.
Warm & Natural
Is a brand name for the textile "needle punched felt".
Needle punched felt can be made from cotton, wool or a man-made fiber, and is basically felt material that has been stablised by needle punches. If one examines the padding under some ironing boards sold today, and find a white felt looking type material under the cover, that is usually needle punched felt.
One can purchase the stuff on eBay as well as sources mentioned up thread.
Is a brand name for the textile "needle punched felt".
Needle punched felt can be made from cotton, wool or a man-made fiber, and is basically felt material that has been stablised by needle punches. If one examines the padding under some ironing boards sold today, and find a white felt looking type material under the cover, that is usually needle punched felt.
One can purchase the stuff on eBay as well as sources mentioned up thread.
As an eBay Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Purchasing Knitted Cotton Padding
Though once a common enough textile, today much if not all knitted cotton padding comes from one source in the United States. This company supplies all commercial ironer, laundry, dry cleaning, and so forth domestically. Market just isn't big enough for the thing anymore, with Nomex really taking over.
Nomex and other man-made fibers have the benefit staying fluffier longer, and resist mould and mildew, which can tell you cotton knitted padding will do if the ironer is not properly used.
It is very difficult to purchase cotton knitted padding for domestic. The fabric comes from the mills in widths for common commercial ironers, and is NOT easily cut (I've tried, a saw would have been better than scissors). Also commercial laundry suppliers are used to selling the stuff in large amounts. The most you would need is about a yard or two for the Ironrite, and that is just not worth their time.
Maytag and Bendix also had "Ironrite" type ironers, so include them in your search. One lady in upstate NY was sellng a Maytag, Ironrite clone with NOS padding and covers, but that was last year.
Though once a common enough textile, today much if not all knitted cotton padding comes from one source in the United States. This company supplies all commercial ironer, laundry, dry cleaning, and so forth domestically. Market just isn't big enough for the thing anymore, with Nomex really taking over.
Nomex and other man-made fibers have the benefit staying fluffier longer, and resist mould and mildew, which can tell you cotton knitted padding will do if the ironer is not properly used.
It is very difficult to purchase cotton knitted padding for domestic. The fabric comes from the mills in widths for common commercial ironers, and is NOT easily cut (I've tried, a saw would have been better than scissors). Also commercial laundry suppliers are used to selling the stuff in large amounts. The most you would need is about a yard or two for the Ironrite, and that is just not worth their time.
Maytag and Bendix also had "Ironrite" type ironers, so include them in your search. One lady in upstate NY was sellng a Maytag, Ironrite clone with NOS padding and covers, but that was last year.
Thanks for all the great information. I think I will try the easiest solution first-I'll try and see if I can fluff the padding up in the dryer.
I knew one side was of the padding was compacted when I first got the Ironrite, but didn't use that side because the cover was disintegrating. It got to the point that chunks of scorched cover (it was scorched when I bought it-little thermostat problem that has been corrected) were coming off while I was ironing, so I got some muslin, made a new cover and wrapped it nice and tight. Then I saw how compacted the right side of the roller really was.
I'll let you know how "fluffing" in the dryer went.
I knew one side was of the padding was compacted when I first got the Ironrite, but didn't use that side because the cover was disintegrating. It got to the point that chunks of scorched cover (it was scorched when I bought it-little thermostat problem that has been corrected) were coming off while I was ironing, so I got some muslin, made a new cover and wrapped it nice and tight. Then I saw how compacted the right side of the roller really was.
I'll let you know how "fluffing" in the dryer went.
