Pressing News
Ironing was one of my assigned chores when I was growing up. My mother started me with pillowcases and dresser scarves. When I had pressed them to her satisfaction, I was promoted to ironing my brother's shirts. I liked to see the row of hangers on the top door frame, displaying the crisply, pressed shirts. It was essential to dampen the fabric to aid in the process. I remember using a bowl of warm water, dipping my fingers in it, and then flicking the water off of my fingers onto the fabric.
Mom also had the cork device with holes in the top that was placed a top a soda pop bottle. I preferred the finger-flicking method to the bottle topper. One by one, the pillow cases, scarves, and shirts were dampened and rolled and placed at the end of the ironing board. By the time all of the items were dampened, the first items were ready to press. To me, the smell of that damp fabric being pressed with a hot iron was heavenly: it smelled of the sunshine because all the laundry was sun-dried. Now, of course clothing can be pulled out of the dryer before too many wrinkles set in, but ironing is still necessary for 100% cotton items. The spritzer bottle has replaced finger-flicking. Yet, with all the modern conveniences it is hard to obtain a nice pressed finish. At least, it was until I discovered Mary Ellen's Best Press.
I love this product! I haven't had such nicely pressed pillow cases in years. It is easy to use and makes ironing effortless. My iron just glides over the fabric and even deep-set wrinkles disappear quickly. In my opinion, Mary Ellen is a genius. If you have vintage linens that need pressing, I recommend this product. If you want to add a light touch of starch to your favorite cotton shirt, try Best Press. I don't think you will be disappointed.
Thanks for the tip. I may order some. I don't like to use aerosol starch. The nozzle is usually clogged the second time I want to use it. I didn't iron when I was a child, but I find it relaxing as an adult. I even ironed my jeans when I was in college!
ReplyDeleteMy mother had that same sprinkler top! We use to iron most everything. I loved to hang out clothes but I always dreaded getting them in in the summer time because wasps would hide inside the clothes and I would sometimes get stung. By the way, I love your kitty pillowcase.Hope your weekend is good - Sarita in Texas
ReplyDeleteWe used to have that sprinkler top too! Yesterday as I ironed my husband's shirts I wished I still had one. This iron just doesn't do the job. Maybe not hot enough? But I'll try your product. Where do I find it?
ReplyDeleteHi Nancy... You know... I just love reading your notes... you seem to always bring a smile to my face and a pleasant jog to my memories. Thank you for being such an interesting friend! JeannieTX
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that tip, Nancy! I occasionally iron my adult son's shirts for him (he pays me!). I got so aggravated the other day with the way the spray starch kept leaving crusty flakes on the fabric. Worse yet, the can had some rust at the top that sprayed onto one of the shirts I was ironing! The Best Press looks very impressive to me!
ReplyDeleteI also learned to iron on pillowcases and dresser scarves, as well as my dad's hankerchiefs. I then progressed onto my older stepbrother's shirts. I charged them a quarter a shirt. ;-)