The Iron

An iron is a tool used to flatten clothes. It has a smooth metal bottom that gets hot. When you push it over wrinkled clothes, the wrinkles go away. Irons help make shirts, pants, and dresses look neat.

How Irons Work

Modern irons plug into the wall and heat up with electricity. Many also make steam from water inside them. The steam helps soften the cloth so wrinkles come out faster. You move the iron back and forth across the fabric. Always be careful, because irons can burn your skin if you touch them.

Old-Fashioned Irons

Before electricity, irons were made of solid metal. People heated them on a fire or stove until they were hot. Then they had to iron quickly before the metal cooled off. These old irons were called 'sad irons' because they were heavy. The first electric iron was invented in 1882.

Fun Facts

• Some irons can shoot steam straight out the front.
• Traveling irons fold up small to fit in a suitcase.
• In ancient China, people used pans filled with hot coals to iron silk.

Did You Know?

The word 'sad' in 'sad iron' comes from an old word meaning heavy or solid, not unhappy.