Using an Ironrite mangle to iron tablecloths

[marciakc]

I love my Ironrite mangle for napkins! But as a newbie with this, I am having difficulty with ironing tablecloths with my mangle. Once they go through the roller they fold themselves into soft pleats. The tablecloth I ironed became a series of horizontal creases that I can't get out. I have tried using a flat iron and they won't budge. The material is a synthetic. I set the heat on low. I have not tried it yet on one of my linen tablecloths, but am concerned about how you avoid wrinkles when removing the fabric from the mangle to reposition it for the next run. Thank you for any advice you have for me! I am a newbie at this.

 

[launderess]

If not careful one can iron creases into synthetic fabrics that simply will never come totally out. Such materials are normally thermoplastic meaning high heat can cause all sorts of issues including at extreme end actually melting.

Ironing large pieces on any rotary ironer (we don't like use of word "mangle", *LOL*) is an art. At best even with natural fabrics one is going to iron in a few cat whiskers.

See period video for tips:



Quite honestly find my Ironrite and similar rotary irons with small width rollers better suited for things such as napkins, pillow slips and other small items. For larger things prefer larger Miele type ironer.



Keep in mind due to size of Irornite roller for anything but smaller width table cloths or bed sheets you will be ironing in creases. There just isn't any other way than folding things twice, thrice or more to fit. Thing is once you start folding things it creates layers which do not always feed into machine evenly. When they don't that is what causes creases. Due to great pressure rotary ironers exert any creases created often are difficult to remove save rewashing entire item.

 

[marciakc]

Thank you

That was very helpful.

 

[friscosudz]

I have the Miele rotary iron, and typically do large table cloths by folding them in half lengthwise. First, leave unfolded and run the center section of the cloth through the ironer to get the middle ironed without leaving a crease. Then fold in half, and run through again, leaving the folded edge hanging over the edge of the roller by a couple of inches so that it doesn’t wind up with a hard crease. Flip over and repeat if needed (dry the double thickness of cloth). Yes, you’ll get some minor soft wrinkles because of the folding of the fabric as it exits the ironer, but I find that once you’ve done final pass through the ironer if you finish folding for airing or storage, you can easily smooth those soft fold marks away by hand.