Are you wondering how to close an ironing board after use? If so, then you’ve landed on the right page.
From this guide, you will:
- Understand the different types of ironing boards
- Know what you need to close an ironing board
- Go through a step by step guide on how to close an ironing board
- Learn how to close an ironing board without a lever
While ironing clothes is a common practice in our daily lives, not many are aware of the best or right ways to handle an ironing board. We’re used to leaving it as we found it to make the whole ironing process easier for us. However, carefully handling these boards is essential to help them last longer.
With these few simple steps, you’ll become a pro at closing your ironing board safely.
What You Need to Know About Ironing Boards
If you have or plan to purchase an ironing board, note that they come in different shapes, sizes, and modes of operation. Therefore, you need to purchase the board that’ll suit your needs and make ironing easier.
Generally, ironing boards are divided into three categories:
- Freestanding or portable ironing boards
The portable types are among the easiest to move around different spaces. They come with extended legs, which you can easily fold when storing away or unfold when ironing. Their heights are also adjustable, making it convenient for people with different heights. It also makes it easy to iron while sitting.
- Tabletop or Compact ironing boards
From their name, these ironing boards operate while sitting on top of a counter or on a table. They are quite small and work well with people living in more confined rooms. Unfortunately, the nature of their design makes it impossible to adjust the height. Therefore, using this board would require you to adjust the item that you place it on.
- Wall-mounted ironing boards
Individuals with small spaces can also opt for these types of boards. They fold in and out of a closet and are installed to work from the situated location. Therefore, they are not portable, although they take away the hustle of thinking where to store them. They only take space when in usage, but after, you can barely notice their existence.
Unfolding an ironing board is easy to do. What can be a bit tricky is closing them up. Let’s go through the techniques needed to close different types of ironing boards.
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Supplies You’ll Need for Closing Ironing Boards
Essentially, you only need the ironing board and a place to store it safely. There are many ways to store ironing boards, and a good number do not need much space. If the lever is not working, you might need a pair of pliers to help fix it.
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How to Close an Ironing Board
There are five main steps that will help you close your ironing board correctly. These steps only work with compact and freestanding ironing boards. You can choose to do this when the board is standing or on the floor.
To fold your ironing board, follow these steps:
Step 1:
Make sure the surface you are working on is flat to make it easier to fold your board and keep it stable.
Step 2:
Tun the board upside down and fold the legs pointing upwards.
Step 3:
Find the adjustment lever usually around the legs’ anchor, close to the board’s nose. Use one hand to hold the board’s legs and the other to apply some pressure on the lever.
Step 4:
As you get adequate pressure on the lever, gently direct the board’s legs towards the board until you secure them in their locks. The locks keep the legs from popping out when trying to store your ironing board. Such sudden releases can cause harmful accidents.
Step 5:
If your ironing board has fixed legs, make sure it is cool before storage. Else, once it is folded, you can securely keep it in a cool, dry place.
Always make sure that the iron board is not near where kids play or next to the iron box’s cord. If yours comes with a fit in storage, you will find it much more comfortable and safer to store away.
How to Close an Ironing Board with a Lever
Ironing boards with levers are generally considered easier to close than their counterparts. You will easily find the lever under the board or around its edge.
Here’s how to close an ironing board with a lever:
Step 1:
Locate the lever near the board’s nose or its edge and find the lever’s press. The press often looks like a piece of metal raised slightly away from the board. Some are L-shaped, while others look like a button of which you easily press inwards. You might need to crouch a bit for this.
Step 2:
Hold the lever and gently push the board towards the surface. You can go down with it to get your balance right. Please make sure you control the speed as the board goes down; else it will crash suddenly and might hurt you in the process.
Step 3:
With the board well down to the surface, bring its legs to their locks and fit in tightly.
Step 4:
Turn the board upside down to make sure the legs fit in their locks as they should.
Step 5:
You can now close the ironing board with one hand on the adjusting lever and the other locking the legs into the perfect position. Try to push the board of the legs slightly to test if the lock is tight and secure.
If your lever is working correctly, this should be easy to accomplish. Once your board is flat and comfortable, you can put it away for storage.
How to Close an Ironing Board Without a Lever
Sometimes when you purchase an ironing board it can get to you with some faults. One of these faults includes lacking a lever that helps the ironing board open and close with ease. In case you mishandled your ironing board and ended up breaking the lever, you’ll also need to learn how to close the board properly.
If you’re in this situation, here is a simple set of steps to close the faulty ironing board.
Step 1:
Turn the ironing board upside down to access the lever area. You will see the supporting beam where the lever is usually attached. The locking mechanism is situated under this supporting beam.
Step 2:
Access the lever’s closing pin using a screwdriver, push it in, while gently moving your iron board’s legs to fold them.
If you cannot see the plug from the lever’s hole, find something firm and long (at least 30cm) to access the lock mechanism from behind the leg’s attachment area. Slowly insert the rod to fill the lever’s pin and gently push it to fold the board’s legs.
If you try these steps and you are still not able to close the ironing board, then you can remove the cover of the ironing board and search for the lever hole. Use your screwdriver to release the tension rod, and your other hand to pull the legs of the ironing board until it closes.
Depending on how damaged the lever area is, you may want to request for a replacement from your seller. Some of these problems arise when the board is old and worn out. Therefore, buying a new one becomes the better option.
Conclusion
If your ironing board comes with an ironing pad, roll it in to make a circular fold and store it in a cool and dry place. Always ensure that you are observing safety measures as outlined in the packaging box to avoid accidents and damages. When it comes to purchasing an ironing board, look at several factors such as weight, height, the frame’s sturdiness, it’s cover and features like an iron holder. Make sure you test that it works – including the lever – before taking it home.
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