Who Still Irons?

[lordkenmore]

I'll also put in a vote for older irons. I have heard too many people who iron a lot say how much better things got when they bought vintage.

I'm not sure how old my iron is. It's a GE, US made. But it's new enough not to have the cloth-style cord. What I can for certain: it's heavier and more solid feeling than any modern iron I've used. I got it on clearance at Goodwill just to play with, having heard about how good vintage irons were. One use, I was sold. The Rowenta I'd been using (and which had been better than many modern irons) went out the door.

 

[ptcruiser51]

I do! I do!

Just about everything except sheets, towels sox and underoos.  Fire up the Proctor-Silex "Steam Master" with distilled water (or at this time of the year, water from the dehumidifier).  Set up the ironing board (vented) in the dining room facing the TV, tune in the Mets game and go to town.  To me, it's one of the most relaxing things I do all week.  A little shot of Niagara Spray Starch here and there and I'm good to go.  Done in about an hour. 

 

I know, I know.  "Mfr. says use tap water".  Let me tell you, this is my third iron in 30+ years, the first two had the cord short-out.  It beats having lime/calcium scale build up on the sole plate and leave deposits on my white shirts.

 

[mixfinder]

Laundry Buffet

I iron anything cotton, linen and silk and touch up most permanent press and some knits.  I am lucky enough to have an upstairs laundry next to the master with cabinets, closet, room to leave the ironing board and iron up and also room for a clothes rack to dry special items.  I love doing laundry and iron almost everything.  It helps to pull items from the dryer just a few moments before done and press them while still damp.  I have a newer Rowenta and a Sunbeam Shot of Steam from the 70's.  Both irons have been 100% dependable but the Rowenta has a slightly larger foot print.

[this post was last edited: 5/27/2012-00:03]

 

[dynaflow]

older is better

love all my old vintage steam irons Ge being one of my favs and also the 60's presto

 

[chuffle]

As for irons...

...I would be lost without my GE. I bought it at a thrift store in the late 1990s, new in the box, and it has been doing my weekly ironing ever since. Every once in a while, I use my old mid-1950s Westinghouse steamer - like it lots, too.

I like the weight of these old irons, which helps in pressing out the wrinkles. I also like the fact that they steam on the permanent press setting, for I have a couple of shirts, that while they look acceptable right out of the dryer, pressing them off makes me feel better.

One last thing - I only use distilled water in my iron.

Joe

 

[ozzie908]

I'm in the same boat as Hoovermatic

I have to admit I enjoy ironing and as my other half wears a white shirt to work most days then they need doing.
Plus I do like the way clothes look when ironed I even go so far as to starch shirts and table linen it looks so much better. I too have a Rowenta steam generator and I use a vented board thats extra wide and long. I have an ironing room with racks in front the board and a wall to wall rail for all hangers.

Austin

 

[launderess]

Word About Distilled Water And Irons

If your modern iron's owner's manual states to use tap water, then distilled can cause problems. Many new and some vintage irons have systems to deal with all but the hardest water and actually *need* the mineral content.

Use distilled water in my commercial pump and steam boiler irons, also in my vintage Presto "vapo steam" irons. Everything else gets tap.

 

[frigilux]

I only iron dress shirts when I first purchase them. I wash before wearing, and even with the dryer's steam cycle, they'll usually need a once-over with the iron. After that, the steam option leaves them looking good. Can't say I miss ironing.

 

[autowasherfreak]

I didn't mind ironing my curtains, it was actually kind of fun. My cat sat at the foot of my bed watching me with this "what the hell are you doing" kind of look.

 

[abcomatic]

Ironing

NO, I don't like it at all. I only iron if i must and that is leaning towards the never idea. Gary

 

[petek]

I'm with Gary above. Seldom if ever iron anymore. I do have one of those clothes steamer things which I will use occasionally, works pretty good

 

[omono]

what is this "ironing" you speak of ?

 

[oldskool]

Some Things

I prefer all shirts for work be ironed; just a more professional appearance. Slacks occasionally when needed; usually fine from dryer.

I recently bought a "mangle" Ironrite for $40 in great shape but don't have a clue as to how to use the thing. Any instructions or tips would be appreciated.
John

 

[mathewhebailey0]

Don't iron clothes,but film

I don't iron clothes but film depending on the damage to a a trailer (short films) or the reel of a movie. I normally use the low heat setting for polyester or acetate film & don't iron the emulsion side so that I don't scratch or damage the image or sound area. For safety's sake,don't try to iron nitrate or other flammable types of film. I don't use water or steam.

 

[amateursarto]

Everyday. I make dress shirts, suits, vests, trousers, ties, bore ties, etc. I'm an amateur tailor (my username*). I joined this discussion forum because I've got a old dry cleaners iron, Sussman Aquamatic II, that has been giving me fits. But, I still do iron and I like it sometimes.

Pete

 

[launderess]

Sussman Aquamatic II

Are great irons and system, have several myself. What is giving you "fits"?

 

[liamy1]

Ironing,

Pretty much everything, depending on how I am feeling.

Would never normally iron Tea (dish) towels, bathroom towels or socks.

However, everything else is fair game.

Sometimes when I am feeling lazy, I won't iron bed sheets (stuff that wouldn't be seen by anyone except Mrs and I).

However, if I am going out of the house for ANY reason (work, errands, groceries etc). Then the only time I would not iron is if it clearly (and I mean clearly) does not need ironing. If there is the slightest hint of the crumpled look, then it is getting ironed.

I iron as I go, as we simply have way way too many clothes to iron in batched before putting away, they would get creased in storage.

 

[thomasortega]

I use my iron every day to iron my dress shirts, and i also use 2 cans of spray starch per month.

My shirts are not starched, they are "plastered"
If i fold the sleeve and it doesn't sound like a piece of wood breaking, then i know i need a little bit more starch (maybe other 10 layers) LOL

 

[maytagmike]

1970's GE steam iron

I still have my 1971 GE steam iron in Avocado. She's packed back up in her original box. Haven't ironed clothes in years, wouldn't give it up for nothing.

 

[chachp]

Shirts and Cloth napkins....

 

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">For Clothing I only iron shirts.  One per day usually.  I hang them to dry right from the washer.  Since I don't machine dry them they usually need a quick press of the iron.  Years ago when we had to where suits and ties everyday I had mine done because I could never master spray starch and I wanted that crispness.  We abandoned shirts and ties years ago and now are casual.  Jeans and even shorts in the summer.  Such a change but I like not having to worry about that dress shirt everyday.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">We use cloth napkins and most I don't iron except some crisp white ones that I use from time to time usually for guests.  Never for JUST US.  The white ones get ironed and folded into some fun shape.  In a former life my other half was a waiter and he worked in some fancy restaurant where they folded napkins into all kinds of shapes so he usually has some fun with them.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Oh and for me.....it's Rowenta all the way.  Love those irons!!</span>