The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-04-14

ironing board are given in another bulletin of this
series, which also tells how TO make rack to
hold portable ironing board the wall or the
inside of closet door. If the smaller end is
takes the place of the od-fashioned bosom board.
An ironing board should be padded so thatit has
spring, but not so that it is like cushion;
padded too much, the iron will sink down and
mark the garment that is being ironed. Heavy
felt or the dOube-faced cotton flannel such as Is
used on dining table, makes 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 material will be enough for
board, but after the pad has been washed or fiat
tened by ironing three thlcknesSes will give better
results Old blankets and mattress pads may be
used, but by the time they are worn enough TO be
discarded for the bed they 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 60 inches wide. This allows the
width of the muslin to form the length of the
cover The should be hemmed and four
pieces of tape firmly sewed TO each side so that
it can be easily put on and taken OFF. Ready
made covers laced together through eyelets
also convenient. There various spring devices
for holding the together, but some of them
likely TO tear it.
A sheet OF asbestos placed under the iron rest
and the paper cloth used for cleaning the iron.
protects the muslin cover from scorching. Some
boards have piece of tin about eight inches wide
lacked across the end on which the iron is to
stand.
If old-fashioned fatirons used, at least three
should be provided. This allows change of iron
often enough TO rest the hand and keep the irons
hot Those weighing from six TO eight pounds
easier TO use than lighter ones, because a heavy
iron makes 1t unnecessary to exert much pres
sure. 1t is convenient to have one lightweight
iron for thin goods and q sharp-peinted one for
ruffles and gathers.
Electric gas gasoline and alcohol irons save the
worker from standing near fire and from walk
ing back and forth to change irons They also
make it 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 just
fable.
In buying an electric iron, choose one made by a
recognized electrical supply company. This iron
should be guaranteed for a year. The voltage of
electric iron is marked on the back OF it and
is in most cases, no. The housekeeper must
choose an iron that corresponds in voltage with
the home current because if more current is
forced through than the wires able to carry,
it will be burned out" The electric wires that
lead from the iron should be watched; if any
break appears in the covering it can easily be
mended with adhesive tape while the current is
off. These breaks should not remain uncared for,
because of the danger of shock and fire.
Gas, gasoline and clcOhol irons burn fuel within
the iron. Care De used with the last two be-
cause If the contaner leaks fire will result. With
a gas iron the tubing connecting the gas is likely
to knot and twist; therefore it is wise to choose
the so-caled flexible tubing either the kind
wound with wire, or, better STILL that with hex-
ible metal core covered with several layers OF
protective material.
A mangle or ironing machine is of great help
if one cannot afford both that and a washing ma.
chine should get the latter first, because there
more clothes TO wash than fiat pieces to iron.
Only sheets, pillowcases, table linen and under
without buttons ruf1es should be put
through a mangle. A mangle should be chosen
with reference to the size of the articles TO be
ironed. If it 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 attached to a motor, and may
be heated by gas, kerosene gasoline or electricity
cold mangle, however, may give much service:
it smOoths only by pressure, giving no gloss nor
glaze. and does not sterilize.