Ironing is the use of a machine, usually a heated tool (an iron), to remove wrinkles from fabric.[1] The heating is commonly done to a temperature of 180–220 degrees Celsiuselsius (356-428 Fahrenheit), depending on the fabric.[2] Ironing works by loosening the bonds between the long-chain polymer molecules in the fibers of the material. While the molecules are hot, the fibers 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. Many modern fabrics (developed in or after the mid-twentieth century) are advertised as needing little or no ironing. Permanent press clothing was developed to reduce the ironing necessary by combining wrinkle-resistant polyester with cotton.
The first known use of heated metal to "iron" clothes is known to have occurred in China.[3] The electric iron was invented in 1882, by Henry W. Seeley. Seeley patented his "electric flatiron" on June 6, 1882 (U.S. Patent no. 259054).[4]
EquipmentEdit
IronEdit
The iron is the small appliance used to remove wrinkles from 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.[5] 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.[6] In 1892 Sarah Boone obtained a patent in the United States for improvements to the ironing board, allowing for better quality ironing for shirt sleeves.[7]
Ironing board cover sizesEdit
| Size[citation needed] | 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 hamEdit
A tailor's ham or dressmakers ham is a tightly stuffed pillow in the shape of a ham used as a mold when pressing curves such as sleeves or collars.[8]
Commercial equipmentEdit
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Commercial dry cleaning and 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.
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.
AutomatizationEdit
Different machines have been shown to automatize ironing, as Effie and Panasonic Sustainable Maintainer. Both machines individually treat clothes and then fold them onto a shelf.
Recommended ironing temperaturesEdit
| Textile | Temperature[citation needed] | Temperature[2] | Dot mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toile | 240 degrees Celsius | ||
| Triacetate ("Estron", "Silene", "Tricell") | 200 degrees Celsius | 220–250 degrees Celsius | |
| Cotton | 204 degrees Celsius / 400 degrees Fahrenheit | 180–220 degrees Celsius | * * * [9] |
| Linen (flax) | 230 degrees Celsius / 445 degrees Fahrenheit | 215–240 degrees Celsius | * * * [9] |
| Viscose/Rayon | 190 degree Celsius | 150–180 degree Celsius | * * [9] |
| Wool | 148 degrees Celsius / 300 degrees Fahrenheit | 160–170 degree Celsius | * * [10] |
| Polyester | 148 degrees Celsius / 300 degrees Fahrenheit | * [9] | |
| Silk | 148 degrees Celsius / 300 degrees Fahrenheit | 140–165 degrees Celsius | * [10] |
| SympaTex | * [9] | ||
| Acetate ("Arnel", "Celco", "Dicel") | 143 degrees Celsius | 180 degree Celsius | * [10] |
| Acrylic | 135 degrees Celsius | 180 degree Celsius | |
| Lycra/spandex | 135 degrees Celsius | ||
| Nylon-6 | 150 degree Celsius | 150 degree Celsius | * |
| Nylon-66 | 170 degree Celsius | 180–220 degrees Celsius | *** |
| Dot mark | Temperature |
|---|---|
| * | < 110 degree Celsius |
| * * | < 150 degree Celsius |
| * * * | < 200 degrees Celsius |
Another source suggests slightly higher temperatures, for example, 180-220 degrees Celsius for cotton[2]
ChemistryEdit
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When the fabric is heated, the molecules are more easily reoriented. In the case of cotton fibres, which are derivatives of cellulose, the hydroxyl groups that crosslink the cellulose polymer chains are reformed at high temperatures, and become somewhat "locked in place" upon cooling the item. In permanent press pressed clothes, chemical agents such as dimethylol ethylene urea are added as crosslinking agents.
See alsoEdit
- Domestic robot
- Hair iron
- Laundry symbol
- Mangle (machine)
- Ironing mannequin
- Self-service laundry
- Washing machine
- This list was truncated from 7 items.
ReferencesEdit
- ^ "Ironing". The Free Dictionary By Farlex. Retrieved 2012-05-24.
- ^ a b c Fritz Schultze-Gebhardt, Karl-Heinz Herlinger "Fibers, 1. Survey" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, Wily-VCH, Weinheim, 2000. doi:10.1002/14356007.a10_451
- ^ Oldandinteresting.com
- ^ Enchantedlearning.com
- ^ U.S. Patent 19390
- ^ Mario Theriault, Great Maritime Inventions 1833–1950, Goose Lane, 2001, p. 31
- ^ Mary Bellis (2011). "Sarah Boone". Inventors. About.com. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
- ^ "Tailor's ham and Seam Roll Free Pattern". Sewing Princess. Retrieved 2012-05-24.
- ^ a b c d e "Bra att veta vad man har på sig" (PDF). Ulla Popken. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-11-22. Retrieved 2010-02-04.
- ^ a b c "General care" (PDF). Lanidor. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2010-02-04.
External linksEdit
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ironing. |
- History of Ironing from oldandinteresting.com
- Theory and Technology of Ironing
- Charcoal and other antique irons from the White River Valley Museum
- Antique Irons from the Virtual Museum of Textile Arts