Ironing

For other uses, seeIroning (disambiguation).

Ironingis the use of aniron,usually heated, to remove wrinkles and unwanted creases fromfabric.The heating is commonly done to a temperature of 180–220 °C (360–430 °F), depending on the fabric.Ironing works by loosening the bonds between the long-chainpolymermoleculesin the fibres of the material. While the molecules are hot, the fibres are straightened by the weight of the iron, and they hold their new shape as they cool. Some fabrics, such as cotton, require the addition of water to loosen the intermolecular bonds. Manymodern fabrics(developed in or after the mid-twentieth century) are advertised as needing little or no ironing.Permanent pressclothing was developed to reduce the ironing necessary by combiningwrinkle-resistantpolyesterwithcotton.

Ironing a shirt

The first known use of heated metal to "iron" clothes is known to have occurred in China.The electric iron was invented in 1882, byHenry Seely White.Seely patented his "electric flatiron" on June 6, 1882 (U.S. Patent no. 259,054).

Equipment

Iron

Main article:Clothes iron

The iron is thesmall applianceused to removewrinklesfrom fabric. It is also known as a clothes iron, steam iron, flat iron, smoothing iron or iron box.

On 15 February 1858 W. Vandenburg and J. Harvey patented an ironing table that facilitated pressing sleeves and pant legs.A truly portable folding ironing board was first patented in Canada in 1875 by John B. Porter. The invention also included a removable press board used for sleeves.In 1892Sarah Booneobtained a patent in the United States for improvements to the ironing board, allowing for better quality ironing for shirt sleeves.

Ironing board cover sizes

Size	Inches	Centimeters
A	43 × 12	110 × 30
B	49 × 15	124 × 38
C	49 × 18	124 × 45
D	53 × 18	135 × 45
E	53 × 19	135 × 49

Tailor's ham

Atailor's hamordressmakers hamis a tightly stuffed pillow in the shape of a ham used as a mold when pressing curves such as sleeves or collars.

Commercial equipment

Commercialdry cleaningand full-service laundry providers usually use a large appliance called a steam press to do most of the work of ironing clothes. Alternatively, a rotary iron may be used.

A tailor's stove

Historically, larger tailors' shops included a tailor's stove, used to quickly and efficiently heat multiple irons. In many developing countries a cluster of solid irons, heated alternatively from a single heating source, are used for pressing clothes at small commercial outlets.

Recommended ironing temperatures

Woman ironing a shirt (Köln,Germany1953)

A man ironing clothes using a charcoal iron box

Textile	Temperature	Temperature	Dot mark
Toile	240 °C
Triacetate( "Estron", "Silene", "Tricell" )	200 °C	220–250 °C
Cotton	204 °C / 400 °F	180–220 °C	* * *
Linen(flax)	230 °C / 445 °F	215–240 °C	* * *
Viscose/Rayon	190 °C	150–180 °C	* *
Wool	148 °C / 300 °F	160–170 °C	* *
Polyester	148 °C / 300 °F		*
Silk	148 °C / 300 °F	140–165 °C	*
SympaTex			*
Acetate( "Arnel", "Celco", "Dicel" )	143 °C	180 °C	*
Acrylic	135 °C	180 °C
Lycra/spandex	135 °C
Nylon-6	150 °C	150 °C	*
Nylon-66	170 °C	180–220 °C	***

Dot mark	Temperature
*	< 110 °C
* *	< 150 °C
* * *	< 200 °C

Another source suggests slightly higher temperatures, for example, 180-220 °C for cotton

Chemistry

When the fabric is heated, the molecules are more easily reoriented. In the case of cotton fibres, which are derivatives ofcellulose,thehydroxyl groupsthatcrosslinkthe cellulose polymer chains are reformed at high temperatures and become somewhat "locked in place" upon cooling the item. Inpermanent presspressed clothes, chemical agents such asdimethylol ethylene ureaare added as crosslinking agents.

See also

• Domestic robot
• Extreme ironing
• Hair iron
• Laundry symbol
• Mangle (machine)
• Self-service laundry
• Washing machine

External links

• History of Ironingfrom oldandinteresting.com
• Theory and Technology of Ironing
• Antique Ironsfrom the Virtual Museum of Textile Arts