Clothes iron

A clothes iron is a small household appliance used to smooth fabrics.

It removes wrinkles and unwanted creases by applying heat and pressure. People also call it a flatiron, a smoothing iron, or simply an iron. The name comes from the metal used to make early versions of the tool. Ironing is usually the final step in the process of laundering clothes. Modern domestic irons generally operate within a specific range of temperatures.

To understand how an iron works, we must look at the science of molecules. Fabrics are often made of polymer fiber materials. These materials consist of very long chains of molecules. In a wrinkled cloth, there are ties, or intermolecular bonds, between these chains. When you press a hot iron against the fabric, the heat helps loosen these bonds. The weight of the iron's plate then stretches the fibers into a flat position. Once the fabric cools down, it maintains this new, smooth shape.

Some materials, such as cotton, require the addition of water to help loosen these molecular ties.

Before electricity was common, people used many different methods to heat their irons. In China, during the 1st century BC, people used metal pans filled with hot coals. Later, a design emerged using an iron box filled with burning substances. These boxes required periodic aeration using a bellows to keep the coals burning. In Kerala, India, people traditionally used burning coconut shells as a heat source. This method is still used as a backup today during frequent power outages.

Other historical designs included sadirons, which were thick, triangular slabs of cast iron. These were heated directly on a stove or in a fire.

Many different types of irons have existed throughout history. A box iron, also called a charcoal iron, is a container for hot coals. Some of these used an "ox-tongue slug," which was a specific shape of metal insert. There were also "goose" irons, named for the curve in their necks. Tailors often used a specific version called a tailor's goose. Another obsolete type was the goffering iron. This device used a horizontal metal cylinder on a stand to iron ruffs and collars.

The transition to electric power changed everything for laundry. Henry W. Seely of New York City invented the electric flatiron. He received a patent for his device on June 6, 1882. His early model weighed almost two pounds and required a long time to heat up. While some reports suggest a carbon arc iron appeared in France in 1880, this is considered doubtful. The first thermostatically controlled electric iron did not appear until the 1920s.

Later, Max Skolnik of Chicago patented an electric steam iron in 1934. His Steam-O-Matic brand became very popular during the 1940s and 1950s.

Modern electric irons are much more sophisticated and safe. The heated part of the iron is called the sole plate. It is usually made of polished aluminum or stainless steel. Some plates have a low-friction, heat-resistant plastic coating to help them glide. A thermostat controls the heating element by switching the electric current on and off.

This ensures the iron maintains the specific temperature selected by the user. Many irons also feature a water reservoir for generating steam. This steam can be released as a constant stream or a quick burst.

Advanced features have made ironing faster and safer for everyone. Many irons include an anti-burn control that shuts the device off if left flat. Some also have energy-saving controls that turn the iron off after 10 or 15 minutes of inactivity. You can even find cordless irons that use thermal mass to stay hot for a short time. For very large jobs, people use an ironing center. This consists of an iron connected to a separate, large steam-generating tank. This setup generates more steam than a standard iron, making the process much faster.