Sarah Boone was a 19th century African American dressmaker who was awarded a patent for her improved ironing board.

Heavy Duty Ironing Boards The legs and frame will be made of steel and they are usually further supported with triangular stays. There are not a lot of these on the UK market as many users simply find them to heavy.

Hello – thank you for your question. A nice old wooden ironing board (+/- 100 years) such as that pictured, in very good/ excellent condition all around, would have an estimated value in the range of $300-$400.

Before about the 10th century, cloth was ironed with smooth wooden or glass pieces and a pounding stick. Heat was not used until the 16th century in Europe. By then, pressing irons were metal pans with long handles. A piece of charcoal was put in the pan to heat the bottom, and the heated pan was rubbed over the cloth.

Sad irons were originally invented in ancient China, because of course, and they were in popular use in Europe and America from the 17th century through the late 1800s. In more rural parts of the US where electricity arrived late, they persisted into the early 1900s.

Sad irons of the 19th century were so named because of the weight — five to nine pounds — needed to press wrinkled clothes and sheets. They were made of solid metal, including the handle. When the iron was heated, this meant that the handle would also heat up.

The ancient Chinese used a scoop that was heated with hot coal or sand and would rub it over clothing to smooth wrinkles. What modern customers would identify as an iron first appeared in Europe in the 1300s. The flatiron, as it was called, was simply a smooth piece of metal affixed to a handle.

They are called sad irons because “sad” is an obsolete term meaning heavy and solid. (Household irons weighed five to nine pounds each. Tailors’ models weighed more.) Johnsen still remembers the adrenaline rush she felt the day she bought her rare fluter (crimping) iron for $85, now worth more than $400.

To clean cast iron furniture blemished by a dusting of light rust, rub the affected areas with sandpaper, wiping it down afterward with a dry cloth to eliminate residual particles. Next, scrub the furniture with a solution of water and gentle detergent. Thoroughly dry the piece once it’s clean.

Irons from this period that are unused and retain their original box and cord are also sought after. Irons of the streamlined period, 1932-1952, are of limited value unless they are unused and come with their original box that is in excellent condition. Common irons are of little or no value, rare ones of some value.

The value of antique cast iron skillets can start at similar to new prices, but a super rare Wagner or Griswold can fetch up to $1,500 apiece. A mint condition, super rare “spider skillet” made in the 1890s by Griswold is worth up to $8,000.

Where do you find vintage cast iron? You’ll find vintage cast iron pretty much anywhere you would look for other antique items. Check out flea markets, garage, and estate sales, antique stores, thrift stores, eBay, even Craigslist.

Plain metal irons were heated by a fire or on a stove. Some were made of stone, like these soapstone irons from Italy. Earthenware and terracotta were also used, from the Middle East to France and the Netherlands. Flat irons were also called sad irons or smoothing irons.

Turpentine & Boiled Linseed Oil (50/50 mix) Used for cleaning irons. Wipe on and use soft brush (such as an old tooth brush) to get into crevices. Then wipe with a soft dry cloth.

How to Restore Cast Iron

1. Place pan upside-down in sink and sprinkle with baking soda.
2. Add a few squirts of dishwashing liquid.
3. Use a scrub brush to remove rust and debris.
4. Turn pan over a clean using more baking soda and a scrub pad.
5. Rinse and dry thoroughly.

Wrought Iron Restoration Process

1. Firstly take a dry wire brush and scrub the wrought iron to remove any flaking or rust that is loose.
2. Take a dry paintbrush and do over the wrought iron so tiny flakes of rust or dirt are removed.
3. Use sandpaper to remove rust further as well as any loose paint or flaking.

Tin is a relatively soft metal that is easily scratched and tarnished. Always wash it with a soft cloth and non-abrasive cleaner immediately after use. Remember to soak away any caked-on food or dirt. Dry the tin immediately after washing to prevent rust.

You can readily restore rusty tin to its natural luster.

1. Rub the rust with super-fine steel wool.
2. Rub the rust with a peeled potato dipped in baking soda or salt.
3. Soak the tin in container containing a cola drink.
4. Rub rusty tools with a soap-filled steel wool pad dipped in kerosene or turpentine.