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Irons, which look like modern ones, people began to use in the XVII century. In particular, at this time, a compact device for removing wrinkles from tissues appeared in Russia. In 1636, a note was made to the book of records of the wife of Tsar Mikhail Fyodorovich Romanov that the blacksmith had made an iron for the tsarina.
But people came up with the first smoothing devices long before that. Stones and metal rods were used. A set, popular in the old days, is a ruble and a rolling pin, with the help of which clothes literally rolled out. Things were tightly wound on a rolling pin, and mechanical pressure was applied to the “convolution” from above by the embossed side of the ruble. The process required good physical preparation, patience and time.
How to iron things without an iron at home
The modern electric iron was patented by the American inventor Henry Seeley in 1882. The device is practical, convenient, compact and, in comparison with most previous versions, safe to operate. There are even portable battery-powered versions. However, sometimes we still have to turn to the ironing experience from the past. What methods are applicable at home?
Steaming
Features. This method allows you to iron clothes without an iron and a steamer at home and remove all creases, maximally straightening the surface. However, this will take time. Therefore, the procedure is best carried out in the evening. Above the steam, if there is no iron, you can straighten things from natural fabrics that are especially easy to wrinkle. The method is also suitable in the case when you have to iron thin linen or, for example, tulle.
Procedure
- Fill a large basin with hot, floating water. Manipulations are conveniently carried out in the bathroom.
- Pull the clothesline over the basin and hang a T-shirt, T-shirt or other wardrobe items that need to be straightened.
- After 20 minutes, the surface will smooth out, but will still contain moisture.
- Remove clothes from a rope, hang on a coat hanger and dry.
Instead of iron - Turk
Features. Here is another life hack, which was known in former times in Russia. Ironing things without an iron can be done using a metal container filled with hot water. Recommend using a mug. But in practice it turns out that it is inconvenient to keep it. It is better to take a Turk from stainless steel, a ladle or a small stewpan, where there are long, heat-resistant handles.
Procedure
- Lay out the item on the ironing board.
- Boil the water in the kettle, fill it with an iron container and iron the product like an iron. If you use a mug, then hold it with a tack so as not to burn yourself.
- Change the water periodically to hotter. Thus, you can even iron clothes made of thick fabrics, for example, jeans or a jacket.
Press power
Features. Smooth things if there is no iron, you can use tension and pressure. As a press, it is advised to use volumetric water cylinders mounted on a wooden board that is suitable in size.
Procedure
- Lay the fabric down on the floor with a clean sheet or bedspread.
- Sprinkle with water from a spray bottle.
- Flatten and tighten the edges of the product as much as possible.
- Press the product down with a voluminous, heavy object with a flat, flat bottom. Or cover the item with a wooden board, and set the weight on top.
- Keep the item under pressure from 30 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on the density of the material. For example, if it is a jacket or blouse made of light, elastic fabric, then the fabric will straighten very quickly - 20 minutes will be enough.
- If creases remain in some places, moisten them a little and repeat the procedure.
Special solution
Features. You can quickly iron clothes without an iron using a special solution based on vinegar. It must be mixed in equal proportions with water and fabric softener.
Procedure
- Lay your clothes on a flat surface.
- Using a spray gun, spray the prepared solution evenly onto the fabric.
- Straighten the fabric where necessary with your fingers.
- Hang the item on the coat hanger and dry it.
Ways to come in handy on the go
You can also iron things without using an iron with a wet hand. Wash your hands thoroughly. Put clean water in a small container and, wetting your palm in it, walk along the surface of the fabric. You do not need to rub too much, straighten clothes with light, sweeping movements. On vacation, this way of ironing clothes without an iron will be most acceptable, since it does not require any special equipment.
On the road, it’s convenient to use another simple method, how to iron clothes without using an iron. In the train or in the hotel, put the things you plan to wear in the morning under the mattress. Just be sure to use a case. While you sleep, clothes are smoothed out.
“Right” things to travel
The most wrinkled fabrics are natural. This is linen, silk, cotton. If you are preparing for the trip in advance and plan to update your wardrobe, choose clothes from mixed, semi-synthetic fabrics (except for staples, which also quickly become wrinkled). For example, a blouse can be sewn from flax with the addition of viscose and elastane. A blended cotton fabric may contain nylon and spandex. The ideal option is artificial silk, which is as flying, smooth and durable as natural, but not wrinkling at all.
To not iron - wash
How to smooth things after washing without an iron? Firstly, it makes sense to use the function of the crease-free washing machine. And secondly, light fabrics, such as tulle, just wash with a minimum spin.Then, having pulled out of the drum, immediately hang it on your shoulders (in the case of curtains, on a baguette), straighten the folds and let the remaining liquid drain. As they dry, these products will straighten out on their own. This is the easiest way to iron clothes without using an iron.