Vintage Ironing Primer: Tip Sheet

Here’s a sweet old booklet I have from 1946 called “The Betty Crocker Ironing Primer”.

I scooped many of the tips into one handy sheet and also included a few quaint pictures and notes.

First Things Come First

In doing a big ironing, begin with the fabrics needing low temperatures (rayons) and work up the dial to those needing higher temperatures (cottons and linens).

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!

The dial is set at the right temperature; you’re ready to iron. Let the special shape of the ironing surface work for you!

1. Iron with the weave of the fabric–back and forth or across–not on the bias.
2. Use long sweeping strokes for cottons and linens–not short choppy ones. For rayons, a light stroke with an up and down pressing motion saves on shine and wear. Let those tapered ends spare you by making one stroke cover as much ground as possible. Use the pointed end for gathers, darts, etc.
3. Let heat take out the wrinkles. Don’t press down hard on your work.

When It’s A Pressing Matter

You’ll often have pieces which need pressing only, especially woolens. To save time and effort, do these after your regular ironing. Use the iron with a light deft stroke and little pressure.

Tip: A pressing cloth helps prevent shine and wear and gives more professional results.

The End Of A Perfect Ironing Day

It is a good idea to turn off your iron before you’re quite through and use the stored heat for odd pieces which need little heat.

It’s The Little Things That Count

Incidentals are important in every homemaking job. In ironing, they can make the difference between drudgery and delight! So take a look at these practical ironing hints and add them to your routine for an easier, shorter ironing day!

Tools Of The Trade

Your best tool, next to your iron, is a good ironing board. It should be sturdy and firm, and its height is important. One that’s too high or too low is very tiring. A board that may be adjusted for sitting or standing is ideal. The padding should be firm, of medium, even thickness, and springy. Cover your padding snugly with clean, strong, lint-free unbleached muslin, easily removed for laundering.

Ironing Incidentals

The fewer the wrinkles the quicker and easier the ironing. So as you take the clothes off the line, fold them neatly and place in the basket.

Keep together all pieces which need the same fabric temperature and stack them in the basket in the order they’re to be ironed–linens on the bottom, then cottons, and rayons on top.

Roll Along The Assembly Line

For assembly-line efficiency, set up your workshop like this:

• Set your clothes basket to the left of your ironing board, on a small table, if possible, to eliminate stooping. Put finished work to the right, on a table, chairs or a rack, using coat hangers for blouses and dresses. Then when your ironing’s done, fold and put it away all at one time.
• Pick your spot for ironing where it’s airy and light. If you enjoy the radio, have it close by. Save your feet by standing on a piece of linoleum or a small rug. Have a stool handy, and sit down to iron as much as you can. Spread newspapers or wrapping paper on the floor under the board to keep long pieces from touch the floor.

A Rag, A Bone, And A Hank Of Hair

That need never be you, even, in the midst of a big ironing. To avoid it, try this:

1. Look attractive, in a fresh pretty house dress and comfortable shoes.
2. Use your head. Ironing requires no deep concentration. So make it a time for ideas. Plan the rest of your day–think up an unusual menu for dinner–redecorate the living room–think of the letters you’ll write–the book you’ve been reading. Above all, keep cheerful–that’s the best fatigue fighter there is.
3. Learn to relax before you get tired. Take time out every so often. Plump down into an easy chair, with your feet up on a stool–wiggle your toes–then close your eyes and go limp for a few minutes. Or try walking on tiptoes around the room, holding your arms up above your head and waving them in circles. That gets the kinks out of your back and shoulders. Then, after ironing, giver yourself a five-minute beauty treatment–lie down with your feet on a chair or couch two feet higher than your head. We call it the “inversion-relaxer”.

An Ounce Of Prevention – A Stitch In Time Saves Your Iron

For care and cleaning, follow these rules:

1. Be careful not to drop iron.
2. To save scratching or marring of ironing surface, iron around buttons, snaps, buckles, or zippers. Always remove pins before ironing.
3. Protect ironing cord by setting up ironing board so the cord never drags across it or a counter.
4. Never put iron in water.
5. Keep iron dusted. Wipe occasionally when cool with a damp cloth.
6. Remove starch spots only when the iron is cool. Rub the sole plate with a cloth dampened with soap and water.

Remember: Save tags or labels attached to new garments. They often tell what type of fabric the garment is made of and they usually have valuable laundering and ironing instructions.

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I couldn’t resist including the suggestions for dressing pretty for the chore and taking beauty exercise breaks…they’re so indicative of the time this booklet was published. Ironing was quite the big chore and they had stacks of ironing to do back in the day, how lucky are we!

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