Steam Press

[jaxsunst]

I got a Steam Press for Christmas. It didn't come with any instructions other than how to turn it on and store it. I have attempted to use it, and let's just say the results were not that good.

Does anyone know of a website, or somewhere I can go for instructions on how to press items?

 

[launderess]

Have two, and owened up to four of various vintages. Currently have an ElnaPress and a vintage Hurley press. What did you wish to know?

Launderess

 

[launderess]

Here Are Some Instructions

From Elna on using one of their presses,which is similar to mine from the same vendor.

Personally do not like "steam" presses and both of my presses are "dry"; that is one must either press barely damp laundry, and or lightly spray mist items before they are "ironed". I say this because unlike commercial steam presses that have heated "bucks" (the surface where one lays items to be pressed), and vacuum to pull steam down, the ironing surface and padding will become quickly damp which gives poor results.
Also do not like steam presses as just as with steam irons, if the steam chambers are not kept very clean, you will get spitting and or nasty rust marks.

Thing to remember about using presses is that one has to learn the proper series and sequences of lays (moving the item about the press buck), to press one area without messing up areas already ironed.

http://dev.elnapress.com/en/pages/opal_how_it_works/

 

[whirlcool]

I think he may need the Ironrite demonstration video. Laundress has a link to it I believe.

 

[launderess]

Oh yes, there is this as well.

Remember pressing and ironing are not the same thing, though often confused as such. Some items are better off ironed, while others respond well to pressing.

Ironing is smoothing fabric by moving an iron back and forth over an area. Pressing is just that, flattening fibers by pressing down a heated surface. Woolens, silks and other items one does not wish to create a shine upon or strech out of shape, respond well to pressing. Some linen and cotton items look better ironed.

L.

 

[jaxsunst]

thanks Launderess

That website was exactly what I was looking for. I see what I was doing wrong. You mentioned that you liked the dry better. I noticed that the items I did do correctly (pants) do better without the steam.

Thanks again.
Jackson

 

[launderess]

For Woolens Including Pants

You're Welcome!

Try using a press cloth, easily found in sewing stores, or on Fleabay. In a pinch one can make one from clean heavy muslin.

One places the press cloth over the area being pressed, then mists water over the press cloth, followed by pressing with iron or press. This prevents too much moisture from reaching the wool (very bad), and also protects fabrics.

When pressing wool and woolens, always remember not to lower the press head all the way down, but stopping just shy of reaching the surface (half pressure). Some presses have a location marked/explain how one does this. For delicates, woolens and such you don't want full pressure, but allow the steam/moisture to do the work.

Steam Presses:

Again, unless they are the commercial variety as mentioned above, are rarely worth the effort. Remember also commercial laundries/press shops get their steam from boilers that produce 50psi and above, which is pretty dry steam. The moist steam from home ironing appliances is going to create a soggy mess usually, causing you more problems than solving.

L.

 

[tomturbomatic]

I will admit to very poor coordination and a severe lack of patience, but I never liked ironing shirts with the Ironrite. I could never manage to get the sleeves through in the manner they pictured without ironing in a horrible wrinkle resulting from some extra bit of material on the underside not being arranged right or pulled tight by me before it passed over the shoe. I keep a large spray bottle handy for dampening things and erasing wrinkles and cat faces. I always wondered if that little Thor Gladiron with the roll small enough to slip inside a sleeve would make that part of the job easier. Other than sleeves and sometimes pants legs, once the ironer was set up, the TV tuned to something interesting and food and beverages conveniently placed, I did not mind feeding flatwork through it. I love the knee controls, the shiny black Bakelite forming board and the beautiful smooth chrome over cast iron shoe. If the lighting is not too bright and you know where to look, you can sometimes see the glowing orange heating coils under the shoe. There are just many more things that are a lot more fun to do when I have time to play.