, 1921-04-07

ironing board are given in another bulletin of this
series, which also tells how to make a rack to
hold a portable ironing board on the wall or the
inside of a closet door. If the smaller end is
square, the board is useful for ironing shirts and
takes the place Of the old-fashioned bosom board.
An ironing board should be padded so that it has
spring, out not so that II Is like a cushion If
padded too much, the iron will sink down and
marx the garment that Is being ironed. Heavy
felt or the double-faced cotton flannel such as is
used on a dining table, makes an especially good
pad for an ironing board, but Is expensive. The
width of this material will cover the length of
the board. The pad should be wide enough to
turn over the sides, and about two inches should
be allowed on all sides for shrinkage. Two thick
nesses of the new material will be enough for a
board. but after the pad has been washed or fiat
tened by ironing three thicknesses will give better
results. Old blankets and mattress pads may be
used. but by the time they are worn enough to be
discarded for use on the bed they are usually
too matted to be Of great service on the ironing
board.
The cover on the ironing board may be made of
old sheets, but is better made of new heavy I'M
bleached sheeting go inches wide. This allows the
width OF the muslin to form the length OF the
cover. The cover should be hemmed and four
pieces Of tape firmly sewed TO each side so that
It can be easily put on and taken of. Ready-
made covers laced together through eyelets are
also convenient. There are various spring devices
for holding the cover together. but some OF them
are likely to tear II.
A sheet of asbestos placed under the iron rest
and the paper or cloth used for cleaning the iron,
protects the muslin cover from scorching. Some
boards have n piece of tin about eight inches wide
tackled across the end on which the iron Is to
stand.
If old-fashioned fatirons are used, at least three
should be provided. This allows a change of iron
often enough TO rest the hand and keep the irons
hot. Those weighing from six to eight pounds are
easier to use than lighter ones. because a heavy
iron makes It unnecessary to exert so much pres
sure. 1t Is convenient to have one lightweight
iron for thin goods and a sharp-pointed one for
rufies and gathers.
Electric, gas, gasoline and alcohol irons save the
worker from standing near q fire and from walk
Ing back and forth to change irons. They also
make II possible for her to sit while ironing plain
articles, and thus make the work easier. AT first
thought the price Of these irons may seem pro-
hibitive. but the convenience is SO great that the
initial cost and the cost Of operating may be Justi-
fable.
In buying an electric iron. choose one made by n
recognized electrical supply company. This iron
should be guaranteed for a year. The voltage of
an electric iron is marked ON the back of It and
Is, in most cases, 40. The housekeeper must
choose nm iron that corresponds I'm voltage with
the home current. because II more current is
forced through than the wires arc able to carry.
II will be burned out" The electric wires TINT
lead from the iron should be watched; IL any
break appears In the covering II can easily be
mehueu Win hunesive tape while the current is
of. These breaks should not remain uncared for
because of the danger of shock and fire.
Gas, gasoline and alcohol irons burn fuel within
the iron. Care must be used with the last two be-
cause. II the container leaks. fire viii result. With
a gas Iron the tubing connecting the gas Is likely
TO Knot and twist; therefore II is wise to choose
the so-called flexible tubing. either the kind
wound with wire, or, better still, that with a fex-
ible metal core covered with several layers OF
protective material.
A mangle or ironing machine Is Of great help;
II one cannot afford both that and a washing ma.
chine. one should get the latter first. because there
are more clothes to wash than fiat pieces TO iron.
Only sheets, plllowcases, table linen and under.
wear without buttons or RIFLES should be put
through a mangle. A mangle should be chosen
with reference TO the size OF the articles TO be
ironed. II II Is too small, folding articles many
times makes progress slow, and the repeated iron.
Ing on the folds causes much wear. Mangles may
be hand-driven or attached to a motor. ana may
be heated by gas. kerosene. gasoline, or electricity.
a cold mangle, however. may give much service;
II smooths only By pressure. giving no gloss nor
glaze, and does not stcrilize.