How to Restore an Antique Electric Clothes Iron
Antique electric clothes irons are often found in resale shops, thrift stores and vintage goods stores. No matter how good or bad the outside looks, it's important to inspect, test and sometimes restore them before use. Old electrical irons often had cloth-covered cords rather than the rubber or plastic coatings found on modern electrical items. Over years of use, these cloth cords are bound to fray or come loose from their connective posts within the iron. With basic electrical repair knowledge and a few tools, you can restore the iron to functionality. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Steel wool
- Damp cloth
- Flat head screwdriver
- Replacement electrical cord
Instructions
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1
Examine the iron and its cable closely for any obvious issues such as a frayed cord or broken parts. If the iron has switches or levers, such as a heat selection lever, wiggle them back and forth to ensure they move freely. Keep working them until they move easily.
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2
Check the flat surface of the iron for any gunk or residue that doesn't belong. Run your hand along the surface to feel for imperfections. If you find residue that can’t be removed with your fingernail, gently rub steel wool over the area. Once the ironing surface feels smooth, wipe it and the rest of the iron with a damp cloth.
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3
Inspect the area where the cord connects to the iron for problems such as a loose connection or bare wires. If the wire is loose, unscrew the head of the post using a flat head screwdriver. Rewrap the wire tightly around the post, and then tighten the post down with the flat head screwdriver. If the cord is frayed or has bare spots, replace it with a new cord from a cord kit. Pay attention to the way the old wire wraps around the connection posts and attach the new wire ends in the same manner. Tighten the posts securely with the screwdriver to ensure the wires don't come loose.
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4
Plug the iron in to see if it heats up. If not, adjust the heat lever settings until the iron starts to warm. If the iron still doesn't heat up, unplug it and then disassemble it by removing all the screws holding it together. Inspect the inside of the iron, ensuring the inner wiring has no loose connections. Tighten any loose screws and wiring connections using the flat head screwdriver. Wipe away any dust or residue using a damp cloth and then dry with another cloth. Reassemble the iron.
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Plug the iron in again and place your hand near the heat plate; it should get hot.
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Tips & Warnings
Replacement vintage-style cloth electrical cords are available from specialty shops.
Cord kits come with the plug end already attached to the cord, making it easier for novices to do electrical repairs. These kits are available in hardware and home improvement stores.
Do not use antique electric irons -- or any other antique electric devices -- with badly frayed cords or cords that look chewed or have bare wire showing. These could be a fire hazard.
Do not leave vintage irons plugged in unattended. Vintage irons do not have automatic shut-off features found on many modern irons.
Be sure the bare wire connections where the wire meets the iron are not touching one another, as this will cause a short. Use a small piece of heat shrink tubing or electrical tape if the bare wire area is too large; this will insulate the wire.
Do not touch the heat plate on the iron when it's plugged in. You can test whether it's working by simply placing your hand near the plate rather than on it.
References
Resources
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