The iron was made of heavy cast iron and required great physical strength, skill, and speed to use.

At its front end, on the upper part, there was a handle (sometimes shaped like a rooster or another bird), which could be lifted to open the iron and insert hot coals inside.

Once the coals were placed inside, the bottom of the iron would become red-hot, and it was necessary to work quickly to press as many clothes as possible before the coals cooled down.

To ensure the garment came out perfectly smooth, it had to be slightly dampened with water — much like using a modern steam iron.

For this purpose, people used a “spritzer” — a small plastic bottle with holes in the cap, through which they sprinkled water on the fabric before immediately passing the iron over it.

Often, the garment would get stained by a bit of coal or even scorched by the heat of the iron.