Scorching & Ironing Boards.

[volvoguy87]

I would like to buy a new ironing board. My current board is nothing special from Target, circa 1999. I have replaced the cover many times (I always get thick pads and washable covers), but still get shiny scorching on my clothes in the pattern of the underlying metal mesh beneath the cover more frequently than I would like. I do wash the covers frequently.

I know there was a best ironing board thread a little while ago, but I am looking for a better top to reduce scorching in a mesh pattern, not just one that is sturdy.

I use vintage irons (right now I am using my grandmother's 1960s GE). I almost never use steam, but do use starch. I use lots of starch. I like my starch to be somewhere between heavy and oppressive. I just started a new job and starch my clothes for work every day. I do a lot of ironing.

I've seen ironing boards with an integrated sleeve board. I'd like to have a sleeve board, but would it really be useful, or would it mostly be in the way?

Experts, I beseech thee!
Dave

 

[ea56]

I have an ironing board that was given to me in 1970 and I'm pretty sure that when I got it it was at least 15 years old. When the cover gets old and worn I have just put a new cover on top of the old one and this gives better padding and makes ironing easier. But I have never kept more than 3 covers and pads on it at once. As far a new ironing boards I couldn't make a recommendation. Look for an old one at thrift stores and put more than one pad and cover on it. Back in olden days my Mom used to just attach an old white sheet to the wooden ironing board with tacks. This worked OK, but a teflon coated cover is much better as the items being ironed will slide over the cover as you do your ironing.
Eddie[this post was last edited: 3/7/2016-14:08]

 

[gredmondson]

This is a long shot, but spend a little time looking for a vacuum ironing board.
I found a vacuum ironing board at a garage sale about six years ago. I did not even know such a thing existed, but I do now. Anyway, I bought it for $10.00, and it led me to a steam generator iron, which I found on craigslist. Together, they are so cool, and they really do make ironing easier and faster,

 

[launderess]

Only time one hauls out my vacuum ironing board

Is when using my steam boiler/generator ironing systems. Have found it not really necessary when doing "dry" ironing and or using my Sussman or other commercial steam irons (not hooked up to boilers).

Scorching.....

Sadly when using starch, especially in good amounts scorching over time of the ironing cover is bound to happen. It is the excess starch that is burning....

Mind you ironing board covers will scorch on their own sooner or later. This is especially true if one is using an older iron that really gets hot.

In the old days housewives were advised to tack a clean bit of muslin over their ironing board when doing starched wash. This way that bit could be taken off if it became too scorched and or otherwise protect the main cover.

You can seek out older "scorch resistant" ironing board covers (eBay, estate sales, thrifts, etc...), but am not a fan really. Most are coated with Teflon, silicon or some other chemical one does not want to be breathing in once they are exposed to heat and moisture that creates fumes.

Also find the "silver" ironing board covers tend to cause scorching of fabrics because of the reflected heat.

While the under padding is professional thick cotton knitted stuff, I purchase vintage ironing board covers on the cheap where I find. When one becomes too badly scorched and or soiled just get rid of it and pop another on.

 

[volvoguy87]

Clothes vs. cover.

The clothes are the things getting scorched, not the cover. Well, the cover may be scorched, but I don't wear the cover to work every day Before I throw in the towel on my ironing board, I'll try replacing the cover with one that is not silver. Maybe the reflected heat, as mentioned above, is the culprit.

Dave

 

[mattl]

I've used 3 ironing boards in my life.  the first was the one my mother used for years, wood, small and short, had to be from the 40's or early 50's.  In the early 80's my brother got married and they ended up with an extra ironing board as a shower gift so we ended up with it.  It was metal with an outward bowed set of legs, I think I still see these around.  Better but still not stable and a little low for my 6'4" height.

 

Then about 8 or 10 years ago I bought what for me is the optimal ironing board.  It's Martha Stewart brand, don't know who made it for her, and it's a tailoring ironing board.  Wide, 4 strong legs adjustable to my height,  it has the iron rest at the back of the board, plus a whip to keep the cord out of the way.  I do a moderate amount of ironing and this is perfect for me.

 

I iron a shirt for work too, but do not use any starch.  I let my shirts hang dry, no dryer for them, and a quick press with a steam iron and they are good.  I did used to starch my stuff, but found it was the dryer that made them too soft.

 

Good luck on the hunt.

 

[launderess]

The clothes are the things getting scorched, not the cover

If the scorch comes out rather easily then it is the starch "burning". This can happen if the mixture is too thick, not properly applied, and or too much remains on surface. It also happens when too high temperature meets an article with any of the above starching issues. If using an older iron that gets really "hot" you might wish to try lowering the heat setting by one level (doing cottons on "wool" for instance) when doing starched or other items that seem to scorch easily.

Just removed a "silver" ironing board cover and replaced with a pure cotton. This after too many "scorch" marks even on laundry that wasn't starched. Since the whole idea behind these reflective ironing board covers is to make the process faster by allowing "both sides to be ironed at same time", figure it has to be the higher heat.

 

[polkanut]

I have an easy solution to your dilemma, send your clothes to the laundry and have them starch & press your clothing.  No more scorching issues for you at home.

 

[launderess]

Don't know how it is done elsewhere

But if you walk around NYC and peep into Chinese laundry or similar places windows and watch them iron many do not have "covers" on the surfaces. Rather folded lengths of sheet/cloth that is some how affixed to the board/surface. Some use those large black clips designed for holding sheets of paper.

When the sheet/cloth becomes dirty and or badly scorched (many of these places are heavy with the Niagara spray starch, *LOL*), it is removed and replaced. Far cheaper than buying and replacing ready made ironing board covers all the time.

 

[gansky1]

I think L is right about the starch causing the scorching, try a lower temperature setting too as most "all cotton" labeled clothing and fabrics have some poly/synthetic fiber in them or applied treatments to help keep them wrinkle free or easy iron.  It seems now that unless you're ironing a vintage hankie or dishtowel, nothing is truly 100% cotton.  Teflon or the silver reflective covers can cause a shine too, if the steam can't penetrate the cover, it will add to the heat reflected back. 

 

I use a Maid of Honor (Sears) vintage ironing board that I found never used at an estate sale.  Best I've had.  It has a metal mesh top for ventilation,  For the padding, I went to the fabric store and bought webbed cotton batting, 1/2" or more thickness.   The cover was labeled all-cotton, bought at Marshalls that I washed before using to remove any finishing treatments, etc. that serve only to make it easier to unfold.  

 

 

 

[luxflairguy]

My ironing board is a Lady Proctor from the 60's with the nose and one side being able to open to make a rectangle. It came from a family friend. For quite some time I was able to source pads and covers from a place in MA. But haven't tried lately as I have four covers. The last time I ordered pads, I was disappointed, so like Gansky, I go to Jo Ann Fabrics and buy batting and cut it to MY measurements. The covers are in great shape as I rarely use starch but since I have a Bernina steam station, I make sure to leave the board out to dry before putting away. The only thing as I get older it seems the board gets heavier to haul out of my tiny laundry room and into the kitchen. Maybe that's why my hand ironing pile grows...or maybe it my procrastination? Luckily, I have a Miele rotary iron for the sheets! Greg

 

[launderess]

Love my Proctor "flip top" ironing board.

Have used that thing to DEATH! LOL

It was one of my first eBay scores years ago when you could get things for very little money. Have amassed a good number of NOS pads and covers over the years so am good that way. However a few years ago got hold of a bolt of NOS Nomex fabric (military surplus) and ran up various ironing board covers on the Pfaff sewing machine. Made one for the Proctor ironing board that works a treat.

The beauty of the Proctor flip top ironing board is ability to make one long rectangular surface. Great for bed and table linens but especially so for shirts.

Being as all this may a few years ago nabbed a vintage Rid-Jid ironing board like the one featured here: http://ohthatsso1946.blogspot.com/2011/02/rid-jid-ironing-board.html

This thing is fantastic!

It adjusts to more heights than the Proctor from very low to quite high. In fact you only have to use the "finger-tip" control to raise or lower to whatever height wished. It was designed for ironing siting down in mind, thus loads of knee room.

 

[stan]

Dave

I'd try all that has been mentioned above..
But I'm curious as to what your using to starch?
Also.. Inproper rinsing can cause fabrics to appear scorched when a hot iron is set to them.
While working in Dry Cleaning, it was common (then) to use a laundry sour in the rinse cycle to assist in rinsing and neutralize the high PH of the detergents used. All shirt laundry was soured during laundering because shirts where all pressed damp. If the head of the press came off the fabric leaving a dark spot or streak, it was a sure sign that someone had missed using the sour, And or improperly rinsed.
Make sure to clean your iron

HTH

 

[volvoguy87]

What do you think of this one?

Here is one that looks promising.

The same board is available elsewhere for somewhat less money, but this one has a cord whip, which would be much appreciated. It's the only one I've found with a sleeve board and a cord whip.

What are your opinions?
Dave

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/fibertech-wide-top-ironing-board-with-sleeve-board/s674616

 

[launderess]

Haven't purchased a new modern ironing board in my life; all have been either vintage finds from thrifts/eBay or the ones used at home or other family member's homes back in the day. The latter by nature would have been "vintage" since this was the 1970's. *LOL*

My suggestion is to stop by any C&B store and check out the thing in person. You want to make sure the height is adjustable to suit and the thing is stable/does not wobble.

Sleeve boards are dime a dozen on eBay both modern and vintage. Unless you feel a great need to have one attached to the ironing board I'd chose a better quality one without over a lesser that does.