On steam generators

It's the nature of linen. Spray it gently, roll it up and let the damp penetrate for a few minutes, then STEAM AT FULL PRESSURE AND HIGH TEMPERATURE!

Or just tumble it dry and whip it out warm and hang it, allowing it to remain gently crumpled.

I have abandoned all hope with linen. Thought it would be w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l with baby garments. How many new mamas do you know that haven't had a good night's sleep in a year or more that can be bothered with all the idiosyncrasies of linen? None. Unless they have a staff, a laundress and heaps more patience than I expect they have. When there is no choice and I have to iron linen - I spray it with water, let it marinate a while, then spray it with Niagara Non-Starch spray, let that marinate a while and press with the most steam and heat I can produce. There are some beautiful blouses here that are worthy. Not many and not very often. And, as a safety/best results question: do check the cord of your power strip and be sure that it is hefty enough to support your steam generator. It could be handicapped by insufficient power. Polly

Linen for baby clothing? Not since they've invented interlock. I don't think I had anything for DD in her first year that required any ironing. Yeah, the goode olde dayes when they had a hoard of maids for everything. Too bad if you were born as one of the maids, though...

I just don't want any additional chemicals in my clothing; I think there's enough detergent left even if I give the stuff an extra rinse. DD actually showed some signs of allergy in the past couple of very hot days: little red spots in all the places where item of clothing was closest to skin and sweat. So I do it the traditional way with linen rather wet and classic non-steam iron, or maybe I'll try Kate's method.

Ah, see! That's what I thought, too. I'll give it a try with plug directly in wall socket. Thanks for your comment.

U.

I could try that, if I want to do it all with my SG; I had a definite impression that the steam doesn't create enough humidity to soften the linen up sufficiently.

Nah, no option; I'd miss the right moment, no, I'll dead sure miss the right moment, and then the creases are even worse. And, to be honest, I like the smell of linen under the old iron. I remember, you told me why it smells so good, a bit like bread or so, but I forgot. Please, would you explain again?

U.

No, you do need tat extra dampness from the spray. We used to habve a degree of dryness referred to as 'ironing dry': still damp enough to iron the creases out! That's what we're aiming for, along with the additional shot of steam to help.

It's the fibers gently cooking! Linen is flax: it's a plant fiber. Most plant fibers smell like bread or cake when you iron them.

Maybe I'm a heretic, but I don't iron my linen. I only have a few things made of linen, but I like them washed within an inch of their lives so that the fibers are soft and drapy. Then the fabric is soft and comfortable against my skin, and I like the way it swings and drapes. No starch, no ironing. Take from the dryer and hang.

I don't know what I'm talking about. Added to that, we're crossing a continent and a big pond. With that preface - evaluating the 'power' to your steam generator - you may also want to ponder what else is drawing electricity from any outlet you use. My iron is on the circuit that supports the dining room. There's nobody in there and nothing going on so it gets whatever it needs. IF your steam generator must share with a SM, lights, and assorted other necessities (not necessarily the same outlet but still the same circuit), she still may not be at her best. Just thoughts to ponder. Assuming that any of this made any sense. Polly

Ironing makes linen less soft and absorbent, so baby linen should never be ironed. Just shake it a few times and dry it on a hanger or clothesline.

I did as my DM did when my children were small. No ironing for play clothees, just a slight press to their Church clothes. After the wash, we hung them on hangers and once-twice, we'd sort of rub them, smoothing out some of the wrinkles. It was nice when "Perma-press" and knits came out on the market. Emily