Ironing Board Site

Ironing Board Cabinet

The task of ironing can be quite daunting; however, for most of us ironing is still a necessary evil. It is unthinkable to leave the house wearing wrinkled clothing. Most Americans are mindful that people's first impression is lasting and it is difficult to be erased once the picture is painted in their minds. That is why we painstakingly run the iron across our clothes making every effort to get those wrinkles out before getting dressed. You definitely do not want to go on a job interview or to meet your date's parents for the first time wearing wrinkled clothes

Besides owning a good iron, an ironing board is also essential. The history of the ironing board dates back to the 9th century and was created by the Vikings. The first ironing board was constructed of flat pieces of whalebone. The Viking women pressed their clothes using heated rocks. The Europeans ironed clothes on the kitchen table or a flat piece of board resting between two chairs and this practice was soon adopted in North America. Several versions of the ironing board quickly appeared on the market and there is still some controversy as to who actually invented the ironing board.

Patents for the ironing board are linked to W. Vandenburg, Isaac Ronnie Bord and Sarah Boone. In 1858, W. Vandenburg patented what he labeled the ironing table and approximately three years later Isaac Ronnie Bord of Georgetown, Delaware took out a patent for an adjustable flat horizontal surface for the pressing of undergarments, garments and bed linen. Sarah Boon, an African American woman, owns the patent for improvements to the ironing board in 1892. Sarah Boone's design took into consideration that sleeves and bodies of ladies' garments required an ironing board that was very narrow and curved.

Although these three individuals contributed greatly to the ironing board, by 1940, manufacturers were producing all-metal collapsible ironing boards with tubular legs and the basic design of ironing boards has changed little since then. Today, there are three types of ironing boards on the market: portable, table top and wall mounted. Some features to consider when purchasing an ironing board are size, height, mobility, weight and sturdiness.

The portable ironing board is the one most commonly used in American households. The advantage of using this type of ironing board is that you can iron anywhere in the house and it can be easily stowed away in a closet when not in use. Additionally, the adjustable height makes it comfortable for anyone to use without putting a strain on the back. The table-top ironing board is preferred by those users with little or no storage space. One disadvantage of the table top ironing board is that it limits the user to the types of garment that can be ironed on the small board. Another option when space is an issue is a wall mounted ironing board. These are mounted on the wall and cannot be moved from room to room. So it important to mount it in a location that is convenient and easy to get to.

Americans are known for making improvements on an existing product or idea, and the ironing board cabinet is no exception. The ironing board cabinet was created to de-clutter the area used for ironing. If you are someone who is not afraid of do-it-yourself projects, there are websites on line that provide instructions on how to build a wall mounted ironing board cabinet. And if you are not so handy with the tools, an affordable ready-made ironing board cabinet is out there waiting for you.

The cabinet is a convenient storage compartment that keeps the ironing board out of sight. Most also have built-in storage shelves for spray starch and other items, an appliance outlet, an on/off illuminated rocker switch, and, of course, a built in ironing board. The ironing board cabinet does not have to be an eye sore in your home. It can be made to look like an attractive piece of furniture and it does not have to be confined to the laundry room. Ironing board cabinets have a swivel or non-swivel design and the door versions include a full-length piano hinge. They are often constructed from oak board and oak plywood but can be stained to match any decor.

In summary, the ironing board is one of those products that will last for a good ten years requiring only the occasionally replacement of the cover and padding. So, open the door to your handy-dandy ironing board cabinet, lower the board, turn on the iron, and iron away for a wrinkle-free day. And please don't forget to unplug the iron before closing the cabinet door.