Riyadh: Charcoal irons were once a common household tool in village homes over six decades ago, serving as the only way to iron clothes before they gradually fell out of use and now survive mainly as museum artifacts.
According to Saudi Press Agency, several elders recalled that charcoal irons were widely used, with women relying on them for daily ironing. Neighbors often lent or exchanged irons when needed, highlighting their importance and scarcity, and making them an integral part of village social life.
The charcoal iron worked similarly to a modern steam iron but required preparation where charcoal had to be burned to embers, placed inside the iron to heat the base, and water had to be manually sprayed to create steam for ironing.
The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) documented several charcoal irons preserved at a heritage museum in Rafha Governorate, Northern Borders Region. Licensed by the Heritage Commission, the museum illustrates the history of traditional household tools in the past.