Mangles

A mangle is a mechanical laundry aid, consisting of two rollers connected by cogs that are used to press linens flat.  The original version was intended as a rinsing device, to wring out as much water as possible, but before long this use was replaced by the ironing one we know today.   Mangles for pressing gained in popularity with built in cloths or mangling cloths that would protect the items being mangled and help avoid them getting tangled on the rollers. The pictures below will give you an idea of what old mangles look like.  

 Most household linens had to be ironed in the days before permanent press processes.  Linen especially is not as soft and pleasant to the touch unless it has been ironed.  Mangles were essential aids in the days of all-linen households.  The mangles were either owned by the family or the laundry was taken to the old version of a laundromat, where one could rent a mangle or have items mangled.  Linen can be heated more than any other fiber, so most often the mangling cloths are made of linen (flax).

The old mangle cloths, especially the ones from Germany, are especially popular today.  They are used for tablecloths (think French provincial banquet cloths), curtains (2 mangle cloths with an edge folded over to form a sleeve), upholstery, and many other purposes.  Generally a German mangle cloth will be between 32 and 36 inches wide, and between 110 and 120 inches long.  They often have a stripe on the side, usually red, but sometimes blue, yellow or even purple.  The stripes were a guide for inserting the cloth into the machine.

Older mangle cloths get a sheen and a silky weight and drape to them that new ones cannot hope to replace.  However, new mangle cloths, still being made today, will eventually get the same sheen with repeated use and laundering.  They also can be sturdier than old ones.

Related linens

• In German, Rolltuch is a synonym for a mangling cloth and literally means a rolling cloth.    Rollen is the ironing process since items were basically 'rolled' in a machine. 

• Basket covers were used because not everyone had a mangling machine, and so linens were taken to the 'laundromat'.  To protect intimate garments from onlookers, a basket cover was placed on the linens.  These are usually red or blue and often embroidered with the words 'Linen' (Wasche) or 'Clean linens' (Frische Wasche).                                                                     

• Once they went through the mangle, often bigger pieces would be rolled rather than folded (this protects creases from wear and is better for the fabric).    They were sometimes tied with a band, embroidered with the words 'Rolle fein' (roll finely) or something similar

• Rolle Glatt means 'Ironed smooth' and is also seen on some mangles or ties.

• Collectible mangle cloths are the old linen damaks ones that have a design in the center.  Most often the design shows a lady washing or hanging up the laundry on a line.  Often you will see a child, dog or rooster in the same area.  The border will have a woven design of a mangling machine, clothespins, or text.  These cloths are highly sought after and not often found!

Touch of Europe's great selection of flax linen mangles