Ironing/ pressing clothes...
By rogen_andrei
@rogen_andrei (638)
Philippines
March 12, 2007 3:05pm CST
How do you iron or press your clothes? I mean, do you use an electric iron or the old fashioned charcoal iron?
I remember my mom ages back, like I was still a little boy, when she pressed our clothes she'd use the old fashioned charcoal iron as it saves a lot of energy. That did cut our electric bill as she was telling us. And that went on maybe until I was high school...but lately, I seldom see my mom or our maid use the old fashioned charcoal iron... does electric iron totally taken it's place nowadays? or there are still some people you know who are using the traditional charcoal iron?
7 people like this
38 responses
@Alexandria37 (5717)
• Ireland
12 Mar 07
When I was growing up my mum used a gas iron. It was connected to the gas supply and the we had to light it with a gas lighter. It was very efficient and we turned the heat up or down with the use of a little knob just the same as any gal appliance. To-day I use a steam iron and it is not half as efficient as our old gas iron.
3 people like this
@rogen_andrei (638)
• Philippines
12 Mar 07
thanks for the response, alexandria... I never knew about these gas iron and steam iron...all i knew was the electric and the charcoal...am thinking how left behind I was when it comes to technology...lol but thanks for this added info...:P
2 people like this
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
14 Mar 07
Wow, I never knew about those.. or the charcoal irons either! Just the old, heat on the woodstove or oil burner, etc, irons..
:))
1 person likes this
@lpipe0240 (1161)
• United States
12 Mar 07
When I was growing, my mom used the electric iron. She would iron almost all of our clothes. Now my wife and I hardly iron at all. We have found that if you pull the clothes out of the dryer, hang them up soon after, the warmth from the dryer allows them to stay wrinkle free. However, if you ball them up, put them in the basket and wait to put them away or fold them, then you have wrinkles. This might help save more energy and also work on your part.
2 people like this
@lpipe0240 (1161)
• United States
12 Mar 07
Hey with the extra time your maid saves can you send the maid my way? hehehehehe
2 people like this
@rogen_andrei (638)
• Philippines
13 Mar 07
LOL if you get her a plane ticket, why not?... :P
1 person likes this
@rogen_andrei (638)
• Philippines
12 Mar 07
that's one great saving tip..thanks for that, lpipe...I'd suggest this one to our maid.. :P
2 people like this
@caribe (2465)
• United States
13 Mar 07
I have never seen a charcoal iron. I use an electric iron when I press clothes. Actually, I usually hire someone to press the clothes. Most of my clothes don't need pressing but my husband's jeans and shirts sometimes need pressing. I prefer to use a steam iron. If the electricity is off, we just wait for it come back on to do that chore.
2 people like this
@AdamMax (260)
• United States
13 Mar 07
I use the electric iron. I can't see how it would save that much money in electricity by using a charcoal one. Turn off your TV or computer instead,..or turn down the heat and air. Or you could just wear wrinkly clothes like my neighbor across the street.
@LululemonFreak (6)
• Canada
13 Mar 07
Hi,
Well I will show my age here. Even when I was little, charcoal irons were still old fashioned. We have always used an electric iron.
However, I have found that if I take the clothes right out of the dryer as soon as it finished and just shaked them and hang...generally I never have to iron!
2 people like this
@magikrose (5429)
• United States
13 Mar 07
With being a stay home mom you wouldthink that I would have the time to iron my clotes. Think again. With doing dishes and laundry, not to mentone caring for 2 birds and 2 cats. If I have clothes that may require ironing I will removethem from the dryer assoon as it stops and hang them up that way I donthae to worry about it.
2 people like this
@greengal (4286)
• United States
13 Mar 07
Back where I come from, the charcoal irons are still used. The charcoal iron presses the clothes a lot better I feel.But at home we use the electric iron. It is easier and much safer. Moreover the charcoal iron is very heavy and you should know how to use it otherwise we'll land up burning the clothes.
2 people like this
@raijin (10345)
• Philippines
13 Mar 07
When I was young, I exprienced using that charcoal iron also. But I was not that good in pressing clothes before, because of my younger age.
I missed that charcoal iron, I am always fond of energy saving appliances and also I like to use things as almost nature-friendly. Makes me feel more as a 'naturalist' also.
I would definitely look for that charcoal iron again, as I also like to cook 'tuyo' in it!;) LoL
2 people like this
@sechsey (1831)
• Canada
13 Mar 07
Its been a long time since i saw an old fashion coal iron. Nowadays we find only electric ones which i also use.:) Nothing special about the one i used but i rarely iron my clothes anyway. I make sure they stay hanged when drying and folding so they will stay all neat and no wrinkles. Saves energy and electricity.:)
2 people like this
@slickcut (8141)
• United States
13 Mar 07
I don't iron much these days but if i do iron i use an electric iron....That is the only kind i know of...I think the electric iron has taken the place of the old fashioned charcoal iron,I cannot imagine seeing a modern day woman even to think of using the old fashioned kind now days...I think women these days would be to lazy to go to all that trouble,I know i am...
2 people like this
@jengrin (944)
• Philippines
13 Mar 07
I still remember our maids using charcoal iron when I was still little. But now they use electric iron. I also use electric iron because it saves time and you don't need to make extra effort to prepare and I can control the heat unlike the old fashioned one I remember my school uniform get dirty and burn by that hot charcoaled iron. I still prefer electric iron and it's not that heavy like the charcoaled one.
2 people like this
@gvnath2007 (84)
•
13 Mar 07
Ironing cloths with charcoal iron is still prevailing in many areas where charcoal is available.practically the charcoal irons are made up of Brass bottom,whichmake the heat constant.secondly the traditional charcoal irons are heavy in weight whne compared with electrical irons. No manual pressure is necesary for charcoal irons, but for electrical irons, manual pressure is essential. In several towns an villages in Andhra prdeh still depend on charcoal irons which is cheaper when compared with electrical irons(ofcoure power tarrif is high)
2 people like this
@vishalsaran (8)
• India
13 Mar 07
well friends,i always use an electric iron for ironing clothes,because there is no problem of putting coal in it and then pumping air to burn it(practically choking your self to some extent),and also electric iron is fast in starting,the crease which i am able to maintain with this light weighted iron is fabulous,my clothes always looks as if i have dry cleaned them,so,hip hip hurray for electric iron
2 people like this
@Bee1955 (3882)
• United States
13 Mar 07
I haven't seen a charcoal iron since my great-grandmothers was used as a doorstop in my grandmother's house. I guess we Americans have always been spolied by having electricity and electrical appliances since the electric light was invented in the 19th century.
1 person likes this
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
13 Mar 07
I have always used an electric steam iron. Recently I bought a stand up garment steamer and I really like that. It works great for quick touch ups and for items that one is afraid to iron due to delicacy. I will confess that ironing is my LEAST favorite of chores. I detest it!
1 person likes this
@Rexy_leigh (1189)
• Philippines
14 Mar 07
I saw my mom using the charcoal iron when she pressed our clothes ages back, when I was yet growing up... I also tried using this kind of iron myself..I don't really like coz it's a bit heavy and I often mess the clothes am ironing because of the ashes of the burnt charcoal inside.. :P
but when I was like high school, we shifted to the more convenient electric iron..and am happy I succeeded in convincing my mom to get one..lol it makes ironing and pressing clothes a lot easier. :P
1 person likes this
@maryannemax (12156)
• Sweden
13 Mar 07
that is so funny wakeup. but it's true. nowadays, it's better to buy clothes which does not need much ironing when using it. i do love buying clothes that won't easily get crumpled. it's better, lesser electricity bill and less stress in ironing.
1 person likes this
@smartgirl826 (106)
• India
13 Mar 07
i hate ironing clothes. i dont know why. may be i am afraid of doing so.yes there are still some people who are using the traditional charcoal iron. but i still recommend to use electric iron only as it is more easy one.
1 person likes this
