What did the Chinese iron their clothes in the old days?

The modern housewife, including a light iron with a thermostat and steamer, does not even think that the thing so familiar to her has a very long history - almost as long as the clothes. Since ancient times, people have sought to look beautiful and wear things as long as possible, so they invented a variety of ways of processing fabrics. Especially inventive were residents of eastern countries. The article will cover what the Chinese ironed clothes in the old days.

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And why iron clothes at all?

Modern manufacturers of clothes constantly come up with new materials, including those that do not need ironing at all. Nevertheless, most things need ironing, and it's not just about appearance.

A hot iron or steam generator disinfects the fabric and makes it softer. This is actual and now, but what about those times when there was no microfiber, not even lavsan fibers?

In ancient times people sewed clothes only from natural materials:

• wool;
• flax;
• of cotton;
• silk:
• nettle;
• of bamboo.

Any hostess who has dealt with such materials once in her life knows that the products become stiff after washing. In addition, the water, of course, will cope with some part of the bacteria, but here with the louse she can not do anything. And the diseases that this insect carries are a real scourge of ancient civilizations.

Important! In countries with a cold climate, there was another way to combat the louse-clothes were dried over a fire or blotted out.

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How did the ancient people iron?

In China, long before our era, developed civilization. It is difficult even to list what exactly the ancient inhabitants of this country presented to the world. Many of their inventions we use so far. In ancient China, there were porcelain, gunpowder, paper and much more. Therefore, hardly anyone will be surprised if the question of how the Chinese ironed clothes, he hears the answer - of course, iron.

Yes, the first iron was actually invented in ancient China. However, until this point, people used for ironing what was at their fingertips:

• bones of large animals;
• large stones;
• pieces of solid wood;
• metal objects.

Bones and stones

Bones and stones were pre-treated - their surface should be as smooth as possible. Of course, in order to perfectly polish the cobblestone, it took a very long time.

Important! This method of ironing had several significant drawbacks:

• to iron the fabric without the handle was extremely inconvenient;
• process took a very long time;
• managed to get rid of wrinkles and soften the material, but getting rid of bacteria did not always work.

Metal

It became a little easier to iron, when metal objects appeared in everyday life. Metal has several undoubted advantages:

• one can cast an object of any shape from them;
• this object can have a perfectly flat bottom;
• metal can be heated.

Before the first iron was invented, people tried to iron with a hot brazier or just a metal sheet. It was much more effective than a stone. However, there was one problem - the sheet metal is quickly heated, but quickly and cools. How to maintain the desired temperature? It was to this question that an unknown inventor from Ancient China answered.

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What was the first iron?

The first iron was invented in the fourth century BC.In form, it was very little like an aggregate with a sharp spout, to which we are accustomed. However, the principle of the device, which the Chinese ironed clothes in the old days, up to the middle of the last century, is similar.

The immediate predecessor of the iron was a frying pan. Almost the same as you have on the stove, only heavier and made of ordinary iron. An unknown Chinese master once realized that if a frying pan is filled with something hot, it will keep the heat much longer than the empty one.

I could only think of how to move it around the fabric, but it was already a matter of technique - first the round iron was pushed with sticks, then I came up with a pen.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Chinese iron

The ancient ironing process looked like this:

1. Coal or sand was heated.
2. Frying pan was filled.
3. Put it on the cloth.
4. Gradually moved.

Compared to ironing with stones or mammoth bones, this method was certainly more effective: the

• fabric was softened and smoothed much better;
• clothes are disinfected.

However, if we compare this method to the modern one, the shortcomings will immediately become obvious:

• the iron was too heavy - it should weigh no less than 10 kg;
• clothes were easy to burn, or even do a fire;
• sand had to be constantly heated.
• the form did not allow to smooth out small creases.

Despite the shortcomings, people used such units for a very long time. The shape changed, the dimensions decreased, but even now, somewhere in the grandmother's shed or in the antique store, you can find a heavy iron, inside which coal is poured. And they can still be used, because there is simply nothing to break down in such a device.

Important! Irons of modern shape appeared in the Baroque era, when it was already necessary to smooth out all kinds of folds and frills.

Coal iron as a versatile object

Coal iron not only ironed. Already in later times it was used in a variety of ways:

• pricked nuts;
• clogged the nails;
• was put as oppression in a barrel of cabbage;
• was turned into a mousetrap.

Important! If in the first three cases the iron was used simply as a heavy object, then the mousetrap could only be made of coal, which had a lid and a cavity inside.

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What ironed clothes in the old days in other countries?

The Chinese were not the only ones who cares how to preserve the look and quality of clothes after washing. A similar adaptation was to the ancient Greeks. In ancient Rome there was a way - clothes were taped with a hammer. In this way, the tissue was smoothed, but there was no talk of disinfection.

In Eastern Europe, including in Russia, another method was used. To smooth the laundry there were such items:

• waelk;
• ruble.

Valk and rubel - the difference in the action

The wax, or roller, was a round or square stick. He successfully replaced the rolling pin. The product was wound on it.

The clothes were rolled with a log, which also had a second name - the pralik.

It was a rippled board, wooden or metal. On one side, scars were cut, the other - remained smooth, but sometimes it was decorated with carvings.

Important! In the middle of the last century, this way they washed and ironed clothes not only in the villages, but also in the cities. True, the board was already made of stainless steel.

This method had a great advantage - the laundry was perfectly bleached.

Shirts were sewn mainly from flax, so this ancient way to iron clothes was quite good. After the "rolling", even a poorly washed clothes became perfectly clean, and it was from here that the saying went "not by washing, so by rolling."If to speak about disadvantages, the main were such:

• work was very heavy;
• the laundry did not turn out perfectly smoothed.

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Other ways to smooth clothes

The ancient methods of ironing can be used in our time. Of course, it is unlikely that anyone will come to mind ironing a dress with a frying pan with coals - well, unless the landlady is seriously involved in historical reconstruction and believes that if we are to use the ancient technologies, then in full.

But other ancient and modern methods are extremely simple. You can use:

• pan;
• mattress;
• vinegar;
• wet towel;
• shower;
• hair straightener.

Pan

In essence, ironing with a pan is no different from the ancient Chinese way. Only you do not need to lay coal - you can be satisfied with hot water or simply heat a stainless steel pan.

Important! For this method is not suitable aluminum dishes - it can leave dark traces.

Mattress

Smoothing with a mattress is an ideal way for a lazy person:

1. A mattress is placed under the mattress( or nothing is placed if the bed is flat).
2. The garment is exactly laid down, which needs to be smoothed out.
3. From above all this is covered with a mattress.
4. You cover the mattress.
5. For the night the thing will be smoothed out.

Important! Of course, if you need to iron the frills, this way will not work.

Vinegar

Food vinegar is truly a universal remedy. It will cope with the crushed fabrics:

1. Make a solution at the rate of 1 part 3% vinegar in 3 parts water.
2. Spread the thing on the table.
3. Spray with water.
4. Dry product in the open air.

Shower, kettle, hairdryer

In the role of iron( more precisely, the steam cleaner) there can be the most ordinary shower - if, of course, you like to take a hot one:

1. Hang it on a hanger above the bathroom.
2. Close the door.
3. Take a hot shower.
4. Move the product to another location to make it dry.

Important! The way is just perfect for those who often have to stay in hotels and there is no habit of always carrying an iron with them.

Similarly, you can smooth folds and with a kettle - it will be even better, because the temperature is higher. In fact, the teapot plays the role of a steam generator. Dress enough to hang over the kettle and wait.

But the hair dryer works a little differently, although it can also serve as an iron:

1. Slightly wet the thing( to be wet, not wet).
2. Set on the hair dryer high temperature.
3. Direct the jet to the product.

The folds are smoothed out - and there is absolutely no risk that tan marks will appear.

In this article, we told you how the Chinese ironed clothes in the old days, and also in a few simple ways than patting clothes if there is no iron at hand. We hope that this information was useful to you and interesting for you.