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Circular 590 May 1960

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and the United States I>e11artment of Agriculture Cooperating: L. B. Dietrick, Extension Service Director, Blackshurg, Va.

PrilltPil :tnd J)istriln1t1·d in Ful'th1·r:iru·1· 1.f thj• A1·ts of ('011~T1·ss of May :"'\ :ind Jw11· ::o, l~JJ I EASIER IRONING

By Glinda J. Beck and Loui:o:e Woodruff 1

Are you "too tired to think" aftPr doing your ironing? Or are you as gay as the homemaker who did some thinking and then her ironing? She dof;Sn't get nearly as tired since she arranged a handy ironing center, adjusted her ironing board to the right height, and started using better ironing methods. When she's finished, she has plenty of time for other things. Ask yourself the following six questions to see if your ironing habits are as good as they might be.

1... Can I leave out any part of the job? • Fold sheets, towels, socks, etc., and leave unironed. • Sort underclothing, play clothes, and sleeping garments which do not need ironing. Look for this feature when buying. • Study the pieces you iron to see if some strokes and turning can be eliminated. • Guide iron only; don't bear down.

2. Can I combine parts of the job? • Sort clothes as you hang them on the line. • Straighten collars, cuffs, etc., when hanging up gar- ments. • Take clothes that do not need ironing out of dryer as soon as drying cycle is completed to avoid unneces- sary wrinkles. • Remove clothes from line or dryer and fold for iron- ing while they are still damp. • Group articles which should be ironed at same tem- perature.

3. Do I keep things within easy reach? • Place clothes to be ironed on hamper or chair to your right (left if you are left handed) near the ironing board. • Place table or clothes rack on your other side near ironing board.

1Homc Mana).!Pment SpPci:ilil-lt~. Univt•r:.:itv of Mh1Houri. ThiA circular ha~ hcPn :ulapted for Virginia from Univcrsity ol Missouri. Folder 58, through courtesy of the Missouri Extension Service. 4. Do I use both hands as much as possible? • Transfer the iron from one hand to the other. • Straighten the garment with one hand while the other is guiding the iron.

5. Do I sit to do the job? • Use an adjustable ironing board with knee room. Ad- just it so that the top clears your lap by one to three inches. Whether you sit or stand to iron, you will want b adjust the board high enough so that you can keep an upright posture, and low enough so that there is no strain on your arm or shoulder. • Choose a comfortable chair with a back and a height which will allow feet to rest on the floor. If your ironing board is not adjustable to sitting height, use a stool with a well constructed back for support and a rung for resting the feet. Posture chairs are excel- lent. Castors on chair or ironing board are helpful. 6. Do I use the best tools? • Keep iron in good condition. • Use a well padded and ventilated board. • Use a cord-minder to hold iron cord away from work. • Use an attachable b:>ard for added width. It is excel- lent for shirts and other garments opening down the front, curtains, table and bed linens, and skirts. The board should be 20 inches wide and 60 inches long and made of heavy plywood or white pine. It should be well padded and covered. Fasten four wood cleats and but- tons on the underside of the board to hold it firmly to your regular board.

BEFORE YOU IRON A SHIRT To have a shirt just right 1. Spread the shirt flat. Sprinkle for ironing, fold it properly the front and sleeves. as you sprinkle it. The amount 2. Turn the collar and yoke down of dampness depends on your over the front about one-third preference. However, too of the length of the shirt. much dampness lengthens the Sprinkle the collar. ironing period. Warm water 3. Fold the shirt again so that shortens the time required for the tail is on the underside. clothes to stand before iron- Fold lightly. Tight rolling ing. tends to deepen wrinkles.

(Por the ea.~iest 1cau to iron a shirt, see directions in center page.) THE EASIEST WA) Based on Research by

Pick up the right sleeve by the cuff 1 and shoulder and turn it pla~ket-side up. Smooth out wrinkl~s. Start ironing in center of the sleeve towurd tt.e shoulder. Shift the iron to the left hand to iron into the cuff. Shift the iron back to the right hand to iron inside of the cuff. Turn the sleeve over and repeat the process. Iron the top of the collar and the band while the shirt is in this position.

To turn the shirt over, cross the arms 2 as shown in picture 3, then flip it quickly. The left sleeve is now in position and the right one hangs free over the end of the board. Iron the left sleeve and the under side of the collar and the band.

Using another cross-arm turn, place 3 the shirt in position to iron the yoke. Fold the yoke across the back and iron. 4 Do not always fold it at the seam for constant creasing at the same place may break the fabric.

Turn the shirt to put it lengthwise on 5 the board. Iron the inside of the left side of the back and yoke. Stretch and 1 press dry the underseams of the sides to take out puckers.

llA method originated by Elaine Knc of Home Economics, and published i11 lustrations are by courtesy of the Ai York State,

TACK THIS SHEE TO USE A~ TO IRON A SHIRT Dr. Elaine K. Weaver2

Fold the unironed left front over the 6 ironed back. Smooth and iron it. Press the buttonhole band, turn it back, and press it on the wrong side. Retouch the front if needed.

Shift the shirt slightly toward the 7 back of the board. Iron the inside of the right-hand side of the back. Press out puckers along seam.

Fold the unironed left front over the 8 ironed back, smooth and iron it. Turn the button band over and press it ' g on the wrong side. Touch up the side front if necessary. Turn the collar into position by fold- ing; ironing is not necessary.

The shirt is now ready for folding. 10 Button the collar button and the third and fifth buttons. Fold with the shirt front out to keep it from being wrinkled.

wles Weaver, New York State College Cornell University Bulletin 629. 11- rrlcultural Extension Service of New

TON THE WALL ; A GUIDE TO IRON EASILY

Ironing will be easier, you can do it faster, and you will be less tired if you:

Select - Equipment that works for you. A good sized, well-padded, ironing board which can be adjust- ed to standing or sitting. A light weight electric iron with an automatic heat regula- tor. Light weight baskets or laundry cart with swivel castors b help you move your clothes from washer to line, b iron- ing center, to storage spaces. A rack for hanging ironed items. A chair that supports your back and allows you to sit with your feet flat on the floor.

Locate - Ironing equipment in a convenient place to avoid extra walk- ing, reaching, stooping. Equipment so you can sit or stand comfortably. Have every- thing within easy reach. The ironing board so the light falls directly on your work. A radio near the ironing center so you may listen to some- thing pleasant while you work.

Choose - Fabrics and garment designs that are easy to launder and require little ironing.

Plan - A flexible ironing schedule. Schedule ironing when you are fresh and rested. Don't feel you must wash and iron on the same day, or even complete a big ironing all at one time. Make yourself as comfortable as possible. Wear comfortable clothes. Sit if you can. Stand in easy shoes on rubber mat, if you must stand. A Final Reminder - The ironing is not finished until all items are folded and back rn place. Use a counter or table to hold clothing as you fold it. Lay clean folded clothes into a large basket or movable cart to carry them easily as you put them away.