Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-11-21

In ironing there are several things to be
observed before the work is really begun
The ironing board or table should be firm
and strong and immovable while ironing
For that reason it is IA good idea where there
are stationary wash tubs to have a top cover
or lid, made expressly for an ironing board
or if one has not this convenience, a table
mortised or set in the wall in convenient
part of the room. and with two strong. firm
legs to hold the front side, is a great comfort.
The legs may be made with a fiat base so
that they can be screwed into the floor. Some
provide table with hinges on one side and
legs that can be turned up in front, so the
table can be let down when not in use, and
hang by the wall. But this can never be q
firm table, and it is of much importance
when ironing that the latter does not shake
while one is at work.
The arrangements for heating the irons
should as far as possible, be such that they
cap be kept perfectly clean, either in a pan
provided expressly for that purpose, or by a
stove to be used expressly for that purpose
If set on the stove they are in danger of be-
coming soiled by something cooking, or be-
coming rusty from some fluid boiling over on
the stove. 1t is of the greatest importance
that the smoothing iron should be kept per
fectly smooth, free from rust or burnt starch.
A paper or piece of cloth should lie on the
table with q piece of beeswax laid between
the folds. If the starch sticks [t never will
if rightly prepared) rub the iron first on some
wood ashes, or salt. and then quickly over
the wax, rub it on clean cloth, and then, if
not rusted in deeply, it will work smoothly.
In buying sad-irons be careful and select
three sizes. and all of the smoothest surface.
One size, large and heavy, for coarse gar
ments one, a medium size, for linen and
cotton, and the polishing iron for starched
clothes, rounding at the sides and ends, by
which, after a garment is half ironed with a
common iron, a polish can be secured by a
very brisk movement tipping the iron a little
on the rounded side.
For the ironing table a coarse woolen
blanket is needed, which should be stretched
double thickness on the table. and large
enough to entirely cover it. Then draw the
corners down tight and tack them folded
over the corners of the table. -Four tacks
are enough, which can easily be removed if
the table is needed for other purposes. BY
thus lacking the corners to the table and
drawing them tight over it plain, smooth
surface is secured, on which to pin cotton
sheet doubled.
A bosom board should be about eight inches
wide, and from seventeen to eighteen long
and perfectly smooth and level. Cover one
side of the board with two thicknesses of
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drawn tightly over the board and large
enough to be tackled just over the edge of the
board. Cover with two thicknesses of cotton
of the same size. The other side, also per-
fectly smooth, should have but two thick
nesses of strong cotton laid and tackled over
the edge to lap on to the cover of the other
side. This is to be used to put the last pol
ish to the bosom after it has been partially
ironed. Galvanized tacks with smooth heads
should be used, that there may be no danger
of iron rust or injury to the linen.
First, iron the shirt all over, wiring clean
cloth out of clean hot water and rub over the
bosom. Go over the bosom rapidly with a
very clean hot iron, then with a plated knife
or thin paper-cutter raise the plaits and iron
| again rapidly. Then rub the bosom again
with a damp cloth, turn the bosom board
| over, so that the hard surface with the thin
cover will come under the shirt bosom, and
iron with the polishing iron, expanding as
much strength in bearing down as possible
Rub briskly with the rounded end of the hot
iron back and forth, ironing only a small
strip at time, till the whole bosom is of a
clear polish. The polishing irons must be
wrapped up in flannel or paper, and kept
| dry and always bright.
1t is difficult to give written directions for
| ironing. Practice is the best teacher. Things
that are to be fiat when finished such as
| cuffs and collars, should be covered with a
| clean fine linen cloth towel is too coarse,
or has too large threads, and will leave their
| imprint on the article ironed. This cloth is
| to be placed on the article and the iron passed
over it once or twice until there is no mote
or starch that will adhere to the iron This
| done, remove the cloth, lay the article
smooth, pull the ends and corners straight
and even, and 60 over it firmly and briskly
with smooth, clean iron and finish with the
polishing iron.
Fine soft articles such as need no polishing.
as lace and muslins, should be ironed on a
soft ironing blanket with a soft. fine ironing
sheet All such articles, after a careful
| sprinkling, must be rolled up smoothly and
unrolled one at a time. Laces, of course.
are to be carefully brought into shape and
all the edge or purling pulled out like new.
In ironing silks cover them over with paper
or fine cotton, and use only q moderately
heated iron, taking great care that the iron
does not touch the silk at all or it will make
the silk look glossy, and show that it has
been ironed Any white article, if scorched
slightly, can be in part restored so far as
looks go, but any scorching Injuries the fab
ric, and no effort can entirely control or eoun-
teract the mischief
As far as possible iron By TIE Hread-that
is, pull the material straight and endeavor TO
move the iron in the same line with the
thread Of the cloth. Christian linton.