Clothes iron

An iron or flat iron is a device for smoothing (ironing, ironing North German ) and in-mold Bring especially of clothing, table and bed linen. Pressure, heat and moisture are sometimes used for this operation.

Nature

Each iron consists of a handle and a heating plate, which comes into contact with the so-called soleplate with the fabric to be ironed.

The heating of the iron is carried out almost exclusively by electrical heating elements. The suitable temperature for each substance can in this case be set via a selector switch. Usually, on the regulator scale three stages are identified that match the fabric care symbols for ironing temperature. The temperature of the soleplate is doing when set to a point about 110 ° C, two points about 150 ° C and at three points approximately 220 ° C. To avoid overheating, and for temperature control thermostat with a bimetallic strip serves.

There are also irons that generate heat with the help of chemicals.

Modern steam irons have a water tank. The effluent of the sole of the steam iron makes ironing easier. A further development is the steam ironing station. Therefore steam from a separate steam generator is passed ( on the table or under the ironing board ) through a hose to the iron.

Large textiles such as bed linen and tablecloths can also be smoothed with ironing machines. The large industrial ironing machines, so-called rotary ironers with a pass in the width of linens were formerly placed in commonly -owned enterprises, self -service basis.

Use

An iron takes a few minutes to reach operating temperature. Then the flat designed textiles are repeatedly painted over with the hot iron to flatten them. It should be noted that different materials are iron at different temperatures. This will help the textile care symbols. Prints and applications must be handled with particular care. The ironing is made easier if the laundry is still slightly damp. The use of laundry starch facilitates the smoothing of the laundry.

Steam iron

For damp laundry can be even more easily than dry ones. A steam iron steam is generated in the device, during ironing of the soleplate into the piece of laundry. The amount of steam and the pressure generated are not very large, because the iron would otherwise unwieldy.

Steam ironing stations

When steam irons and steam generator water tank are separated from the iron and the steam is passed through a hose to the iron. There are steam irons, the water tank is parked on a ironing board. Larger models that can generate more steam and more pressure, are integrated into the ironing board. Often such Ironing boards are also equipped with a fan which makes it easier to spread the smooth pieces of laundry before ironing. Commercial Ironing Stations are designed for continuous operation, often have a height adjustable work surface and facilities to derive condensation, so it does not wet the ironed linen.

History

The first iron are known from the 15th century. They consisted of a solid metal plate with a handle that had to be heated on a hot stove plate. From the late 17th and 18th century hollow Plätteisen ( also Box iron, in Austria Stagleisen ) are obtained, which usually consisted of brass. From the rear side is closed by a flap in a fire -iron plate was heated (or Stagl ) introduced into the cavity to heat the sole. Such iron were used until the 19th century.

• A further development in the later 19th century was the ox tongue: Here is a piece of iron - according to its form often referred to as " ox tongue " - inserted into the back of the iron and closed with a flap.
• In the late 19th century stepped next to the coal - iron, in its enlarged cavity hot coals or briquettes were filled.
• Furthermore, there were so-called change handle iron. For them, the handle of the cooled iron was removed and latched on to a second, heated on the stove iron, cold iron on the hot furnace is switched off, etc. ( see Figure Schneider oven ).
• Also, gas irons were in the 19-20. Century in use. Some were connected to the gas line directly via tubes and were used mainly in strap bars; However, they brought with it the risk that the supply hose was leaking due to the mechanical strap Movement. Others are heated by a gas burner.
• There were also iron, which could be fueled by small alcohol burner.

With the electrification of the household and the iron was heated electrically. The electric irons have a thermostat with rotary wheel. For the housing Bakelite was used until the 1960s, then ABS plastic. The handle of the device was previously open front, first open the Acosta version from the 1970s at the back. A further development is the steam iron, the water industry here has mostly a viewing window for the level.

Charcoal iron, hinged lid, side openings to allow air intake

Pin or box iron ( Austria: Stageisen )

Old electric travel iron, even without thermostat

Modern electric steam iron with thermostat

Travel Steam Iron, about 1990

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