What To Look For In An Ironing Board
Mike Davidson
Ironing is one of the many household functions that people
usually find overwhelming. It is the task of removing wrinkles
from clothes (such as shirts, pants or trousers, and skirts)
with the use of a heated tool, called an "iron" (modern designs
that are available nowadays, however, are no longer made of
iron).
Another ironing tool that goes with the iron is the ironing
board. This is where most ironing is done, and it is generally
a portable, narrow-padded board with a heat resistant top and
supports that can usually be folded up.
Ironing boards are just as important in ironing as the iron. A
good ironing board can add to your convenience, making the
seemingly difficult task of ironing a bearable one. It is
therefore important that you choose an ironing board that would
best suit your needs, and the following general guidelines will
be able to help you by identifying the things that you should
look for when choosing the ironing board to buy.
1. Size. If possible, choose the widest ironing board that you
can find for a more effective ironing. A full-size ironing
board is one that is at least 4 feet long and 12 to 18 inches
wide.
2. Height. Most people prefer to do their ironing while
standing up. Standing up for a long time, however, could result
to back strain. To minimize this, it is recommended that the
ironing board should at least rise to about your hip level.
3. Mobility. Another thing to consider when choosing an ironing
board is the available space in your home.
In general, there are 2 types of ironing board - the built-in
and the portable.
-Built-in ironing boards - as the name implies, these boards
are 'built-in', usually into a drawer or a wall cabinet.
-Portable ironing boards - also called tabletop, these boards
can be set up from one place to another, allowing you to do
your ironing wherever you choose. They are also ideal for
people who have limited spaces in their homes.
4. Weight. Choose an ironing board that is lightweight - one
that not only sets up easily for use but also folds down for
storage with ease. In addition, a lightweight board also
enables you to transfer them from one place to another with
less effort.
5. Sturdiness. While a good ironing board is that which is
lightweight, it should also have a sturdy frame that is stable
enough so that it will not collapse or tip over easily as you
do your ironing. Choose the most stable ironing board, with
sturdy legs and a solid base - this will prevent accidents that
result from ironing (such as ironing boards that fall over onto
small children).
6. Adjustability. We have given the recommended ironing board
height for people who prefer to stand up while ironing.
However, there are still others who prefer to do their ironing
while sitting. Then there may also be the added 'problem' of
the varying height of the people in your household who may also
need to iron their clothes. The solution to this problem is to
choose an ironing board that can be adjusted at a height that
will be most comfortable to the person who will use it.
7. The board pad. A good ironing board pad is one that has vent
'holes' in the surface for the steam to penetrate and escape.
These 'holes', however, can make an impression on the fabric of
the clothes you are ironing, so it is equally important for your
board to have enough padding.
Ironing boards may also come with a separate board cover that
ranges from simple to the sophisticated. Modern designs feature
ironing boards that are coated with non-stick or reflective
surfaces ('non-stick' prevents clothes from sticking to the
board; 'reflective' transfers the heat back into the clothes).
8. Other features. Aside from the 'basics', modern-day ironing
boards are equipped with additional features that allows for a
more effective and convenient ironing. Some of these features
are as follows:
-'Sleeve' - attached to the ironing board; a small board (about
2 feet long and 6 to 8 inches wide) used for ironing sleeves and
small articles of clothes.
-Iron rest - built-in at the wide end of the board that expands
the usable area for ironing and prevents the iron from falling
off the board.
-Rack - for hanging clothes.
-Pedal-operated vacuum - to pull air through the board.
Follow these guidelines, and you will surely be able to find
the ironing board that is right for your needs.
About The Author: For more great ironing board information and
resources check out:
http://www.ironingboards.info
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