Bendix Home Ironer - replacement pads and covers

Ironer padding from this era was almost always a material called "knitted cotton" padding. While once easily found (it also was used to pad dining tables as a "sliencer cloth"), that is no longer the case.

KCP cannot be cut as it unravels. Usually the selvage edges are machine serged or finished with an overcast stitch to prevent this.

IIRC, the Bendix ironer's roll is about the same as the large Ironrite therefore the padding should fit (measure first). There is quite allot of Ironrite padding out there (check eBay, thrift stores, collectors, etc), so there you are.

As for the cover, again *think* your Bendix was the same as Ironrite, so the same applies.

In both cases scout eBay, thrifts, etc for generic covers and pads for whatever length roller that matches your Bendix. Ironers pretty much all had the same standard roller lengths within a class. There are the underfed units (Ironrite, Bendix, Pfaff), and the stardard over feed (Kenmore, Miele, etc). Long as the roller length matches, that is what is most important.

The owner's manual for your machine should tell you how to change the roller padding and cover.

One word of warning. Knitted cotton padding cannot be laundered! It will shrink and distort. Therefore if yours is fouled it will have to be discarded. KCP can be refreshed however by either taking it off the unit and giving it a good shaking/airing or putting it into a tumble dryer (air fluff setting), for a bit.

Should all else fail and you cannot locate knitted cotton padding, the modern alternative would be needle punched polyester felt. Also sold as ironer padding, but unlike KCP is can be cut.

To make an ironer roller cover at home is easy. Just use your current one as a pattern, purchase a length of white cotton muslin either the width required (leaving about two inches or so on each side for the drawstring casing), or a larger piece and cut/finish as above.

If you cannot find pre-packaged padding, and need to improvise, you need to find the proper thickness, using the current padding as a reference. Padding that is too thick may cause your ironer to operate improperly, and or damage.


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Post# 459132 8/25/2010 at 12:46 (4,986 days old) by pshipper ()
Checkrate/Likes Can anyone offer info on where to get replacement pads or covers for a Bendix Automatic Home Ironer? I have one at home that was temporary quarters to some mice and I think it might be best for smell and hygiene to replace the pad before using it. Cover's washable, but the batting/pad underneath doesn't seem so. Thanks for any help you can provide!!!

Post# 459134 , Reply# 1 8/25/2010 at 12:53 (4,986 days old) by whirlcool (Just North Of Houston, Texas)
Checkrate/Likes I think our Laundress has some tips for fabricating a new cover for your ironer. Paging Laundress, paging Laundress!

Post# 459151 , Reply# 2 8/25/2010 at 15:08 (4,986 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There�s a Lady on Stage)
Checkrate/Likes Ironer padding from this era was almost always a material called "knitted cotton" padding. While once easily found (it also was used to pad dining tables as a "sliencer cloth"), that is no longer the case. KCP cannot be cut as it unravels. Usually the selvage edges are machine serged or finished with an overcast stitch to prevent this. IIRC, the Bendix ironer's roll is about the same as the large Ironrite therefore the padding should fit (measure first). There is quite allot of Ironrite padding out there (check eBay, thrift stores, collectors, etc), so there you are. As for the cover, again think your Bendix was the same as Ironrite, so the same applies. In both cases scout eBay, thrifts, etc for generic covers and pads for whatever length roller that matches your Bendix. Ironers pretty much all had the same standard roller lengths within a class. There are the underfed units (Ironrite, Bendix, Pfaff), and the stardard over feed (Kenmore, Miele, etc). Long as the roller length matches, that is what is most important. The owner's manual for your machine should tell you how to change the roller padding and cover. One word of warning. Knitted cotton padding cannot be laundered! It will shrink and distort. Therefore if yours is fouled it will have to be discarded. KCP can be refreshed however by either taking it off the unit and giving it a good shaking/airing or putting it into a tumble dryer (air fluff setting), for a bit. Should all else fail and you cannot locate knitted cotton padding, the modern alternative would be needle punched polyester felt. Also sold as ironer padding, but unlike KCP is can be cut. To make an ironer roller cover at home is easy. Just use your current one as a pattern, purchase a length of white cotton muslin either the width required (leaving about two inches or so on each side for the drawstring casing), or a larger piece and cut/finish as above. If you cannot find pre-packaged padding, and need to improvise, you need to find the proper thickness, using the current padding as a reference. Padding that is too thick may cause your ironer to operate improperly, and or damage.

Post# 459217 , Reply# 3 8/25/2010 at 19:05 (4,986 days old) by jeb (Mansfield Ohiio)
Checkrate/Likes *ironer pad cover* I find a 100% linen tablecloth does an exellent job as a pad cover. It holds up well to the heat and they are easily found at garage sale and estate sales for very little money (nobody puts white tableclothes on anymore). When they do dicolor from the heat they bleach back to white very well. I just cut to fit and roll it on so it overlaps itself several times - no sewing or anything. JEB

Post# 463427 , Reply# 4 9/14/2010 at 15:53 (4,966 days old) by pshipper ()
Checkrate/Likes *Bendix Ironer Covers* Thank you all! I had hoped that the Ironrite would be an equivalent. I'll measure the roller and will watch for Ironrite pads/covers and research the DIY options. Thanks again for great and prompt info!

Post# 1113155 , Reply# 5 3/29/2021 at 18:58 (1,117 days old) by Dewal001 (Minnesota)
Checkrate/Likes *Bendix model D ironer - maintenance/ oil change* I recently acquired a Bendix Model D ironer/mangle in great shape but without the owners manual, When it was moved it was tipped on it�s back rather than kept upright. Old oil leaked out of it. I cleaned it up but now I want to know how to change or replace the oil before I start to use it. I am not having any luck finding a manual or service information. Does anyone know how to change the oil or service this wonderful vintage machine. I found a manual for the IR brand but I don�t believe this will tell me what I need to know for my machine.