A History of Irons

• A clothes iron is a small appliance used to remove the wrinkles from fabric. A iron consists of a heated plate that has a handle and is pressed onto fabric. The first irons were made of iron (hence, the name) and were heated on a stove or over coals. Some versions were even hollow, which allowed them to be filled with heated coals. These early irons had several clear disadvantages, the least of which is the inability to control the temperature. Today irons are heated electrically and have temperatures that vary, which allows them to be used on a variety of fabrics.
  
  

How Irons Work

• Irons work by heating the molecules within the fabric so they become loose. The weight of the pressure exerted on the iron flattens the fabric. When the fabric cools, it retains the new flat shape and will be wrinkle-free. Certain fabrics (like cottons) have molecular bonds that are more difficult to alter and are more difficult to iron. These fabrics require high temperatures and more pressure than a fabric like silk, which has relatively weak molecular bonds.
  
  

Iron Extras

• There are several extras found on irons that are available. Irons now have variable temperatures so nearly any fabric type can be ironed with the same iron. Steam irons give you the opportunity to fill them with water and create steam while ironing. This loosens the bonds in the fabric more effectively (especially on difficult-to-iron fabrics) and will make the fabric much easier to iron. Many irons are lightweight, but a good iron might have a little more weight to it so as to remove wrinkles without having to press down as hard on the iron. Irons today have automatic shut-off switches in case you forget to unplug your iron or turn it off. Many irons also come with Teflon coating on them to allow for the iron to glide smoothly over the fabric. This coating also makes the iron easier to clean if something inadvertently melts onto the surface.