Process of removing wrinkles from fabric For other uses, see Ironing (disambiguation). Ironing a shirt
Ironing is the use of an iron, usually heated, to remove wrinkles and unwanted creases from fabric.[1] The heating is commonly done to a temperature of 180–220 °C (360–430 °F), depending on the fabric.[2] Ironing works by loosening the bonds between the long-chain polymer molecules in 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. 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.[3]
The first known use of heated metal to "iron" clothes is known to have occurred in China.[4] The electric iron was invented in 1882, by Henry W. Seely. Seely patented his "electric flatiron" on June 6, 1882 (U.S. Patent no. 259,054).[5]
Equipment
[edit]
Iron
[edit] Main article: Clothes iron
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.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8]
Ironing board cover sizes
[edit]
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 ham
[edit]
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.[9]
Commercial equipment
[edit]
This section possibly contains original research. Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations. Statements consisting only of original research should be removed.(September 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.(September 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
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.
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
[edit]Woman ironing a shirt (Köln, Germany 1953)A man ironing clothes using a charcoal iron box
Textile
Temperature[citation needed]
Temperature[2]
Dot mark
Toile
240 °C
Triacetate ("Estron", "Silene", "Tricell")
200 °C
220–250 °C
Cotton
204 °C / 400 °F
180–220 °C
* * * [10]
Linen (flax)
230 °C / 445 °F
215–240 °C
* * * [10]
Viscose/Rayon
190 °C
150–180 °C
* * [10]
Wool
148 °C / 300 °F
160–170 °C
* * [11]
Polyester
148 °C / 300 °F
* [10]
Silk
148 °C / 300 °F
140–165 °C
* [11]
SympaTex
* [10]
Acetate ("Arnel", "Celco", "Dicel")
143 °C
180 °C
* [11]
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.[2]
Chemistry
[edit]
This section possibly contains original research. Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations. Statements consisting only of original research should be removed.(September 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.(September 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
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 also
[edit]
Domestic robot
Extreme ironing
Hair iron
Laundry symbol
Mangle (machine)
Self-service laundry
Washing machine
References
[edit]
^"Ironing". The Free Dictionary By Farlex. Retrieved 2012-05-24.
^ abcFritz 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
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ironing. 
Clothing portal