Who Still Irons?

[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>

 

[jmm63]

Oh my,  I iron almost every day.  I do my own dress shirts for work,  lots of starch.  Sometimes if I'm in the mood, I'll do  weeks worth of shirts at a time and it does save time in the morning.  I did get away from doing it in the winter because I wear a v-neck Merino wool sweater over the shirt every day (so cold at work) 

 

Sometimes I'll iron and starch the pillow cases.  Nothing like putting your head down on a crisp pillow case. 

 

[lordkenmore]

Lord Kenmore does not pump iron

either at the gym, or the ironing board. At least most of the time. I seldom iron anything--I may use an iron a few times a year at most. Not that I hate ironing--I don't exactly--but I don't love it, either, and there is only so much time...

Since my last post on this thread--back in 2012--I have changed irons. I can't remember all the whys and wherefores. There are days I have trouble remembering who I am... But I replaced the presumably older (but probably not very vintage) GE with a fairly new Black and Decker. The new iron is, sad to say, one made in China. Although, while I whine about modern appliances, I do have to admit it seems acceptable for my needs. My only complaint is that it sometimes drips water (presumably through steam vents). That is annoying, but I suppose things could be worse. The iron gets wrinkles out, and was at Goodwill for $1.29 on clearance day. On a plus side, it seems to heat up fast--probably because it's a newer iron, and there is less metal to heat up. I also surprisingly like aspects of the lighter weight. Yes, it's probably lighter because it's more cheaply made than irons of 30 years ago. And it's probably not as good ultimately as those older irons. But...it's easier to use when one is a ten pound weakling.

 

[artcurus]

dress shirts with spray starch for work. so much cheaper than taking to cleaners

 

[askolover]

Nah...

I just hang up my uniforms as soon as the dryer stops!

 

[chachp]

Speaking of Ironing.......

 

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Who remembers?</span>

 

[vacerator]

I actually

ironed yesterday for the first time in years. My step sons graduation gown for tomorrow from university. He was scared he'd burn it. he's domestically challenged. Otherwise, never.
Champaign wishes and caviar dreams!
He's got a great first job. Now I get my car back. Whats left of it.

 

[michaelman2]

I iron almost everything.   I line dry most items (excluding; towels, underwear, socks), so the item(s) is prime for ironing.   Little or no starch needed.   I used to use boxed or bottled starch on shirts, but really now I will spray starch a shirt and at times roll it up, place it in the freezer and then iron as needed.    Bed linens cannot be better when ironed.

 

No fabric softner, ever (on anything) for me.   I want crisp clean linens and absorbant towels.    I use my grandmother's GE Iron and have several other vintage steam irons.  Also have a Rowenta with a seperate water tank, but always go back to the vintage GE.  It gets HOT.

 

For the bed linens I use my granmother's Ironrite ironer.   Ironing is like immediate gratification.   My former partner loved yard work and specifically cutting the grass, for that exact reason, he saw immediate results.   Ironing you see immediate results and the garment/ironed item, is exponentially better in appearance.  

[this post was last edited: 5/6/2016-16:00]

 

[ea56]

I seldom have the need to iron anymore since I retired. But when I do need to iron I use our Proctor Silex steam iron that I bought about 5 years ago at Goodwill for $3.00. I has a label on the heel of the iron that indicates the warranty expires in Jult 1974, so this iron is probably about 43 yrs old. It still looks like new has a cloth covered cord and this iron is serious business, it gets HOT and makes ironing a pleasure. These new irons are for the most part useless. They just don't get hot enough for cotton or linen. I also use an ironing board that is about 60 years old, is heavy and again much better that what you can purchase new.
Eddie

 

[circlew]

I see that I replied to this back in '12. I still haven't ironed anything!

I guess those of you that iron work clothes must have sit-down jobs.