A manual of home-making

The ironing-machine, or, as it is often called, the mangle, is another device for making laundiy work easier. It may suc- cessfully take the place of the Imnd iron for a larger part of the family ironing. There are tw^o types of ironing-machines on the market: (I) cold-roll ironing-machint/s, in which the jxtllers be- tween wliich the garment passes are made of wood and are un- 278 A MANUAL OF HOME-MAKING 4 heated, depending on their weight and pressure to remove wrinkles; (2) hot -roll ironing-machines, in which one roll is cold and is covered with a blanket and cloth, just as for an ironing-hoard, and the other roll or concave plate is made of smooth iron and is heatecL The cold roll revolves against the heated metal plate. This is the more economical and satisfac- tory ironing-machine, although its original cost is greater. The Fia. 55, — A method uf folding oiK^tdressefl and abirta. hot-roll machine may be heated by gas, or gasoline by a slight change involving a small expense. If power is available, the machine may be run by power. The use of one of these macliines reduces greatly the time required to iron in the usual way. Garments with gathers and sleeves cannot be thus ironed to look perfectly smooth and well shaped, l>ut all bed and t^Ie lineo, towels, handken^iiefs, stockings, such underwear as may not require perfect smoothness, kitchen aprons and the like, may be done successfully and satisfactorily. Irons, A number of irons are now on the market for summer use when it is not desirable to have suflicieat fire in the raugje to I I THE LAUNDRY heat the irons. Some of these are electric irons, gas irons, and deiiatiired-alcohol irons. For general laundry porposcs, one size of the ordinary sadiron is sufficient, hut it is advisable to put scverai irons into a well- equipped laondiy, to use for the various kinds of work to be done. Among them should be hea\y, mediiun heiiv>% and small-pointeil irons, the last for ironing ruffles and laces. A frequent cause of poor ironing is the condition of the irons. They must be kept clean and free from rust to do good work. New irons should be heated thoroughly and rubbed with w^ax or grease before using. If irons are to be put away for any length of time, they should be covered with a thin coating of vaseline, clean grease, or paraffin, or wrapped in waxed paper. If starch cooks on, it should be removed immediately with a dull knife. If irons become dirty from careless use, or from being left on the stove during the preparation of the meals, they should be thoroughly washed with soap and water and care- fully dried. To keep irons smooth while using them, they should be rubbed with w^ax or paraffin and wiped immediately with a clean cloth. They improve with wear, if they have good treatment. _^ Tubs. ' Although a w^ashing-machine may be used, there should be one or more tubs in a laundrj^ Stationary tubs are best, even though running water is not available, for some simple method ^ of draining them can be devised. The tubs are b^t made of ■ porcelain, enamelcHi iron, or alberine stone. White tubs are a good backgroimd for bluing clothes. WomleJi tuba may l>e more cheaply constructed; but there is danger of the wooden tub becoming unsanitarj'' from careless handling.