When it was about becoming a relic, the charcoal-powered pressing iron is making its way back into small businesses in semi-urban and rural areas of Nigeria.
Unlike the past, when it was an essential item in most households for good dressing, it is now fashionable among tailors and launderers (dry cleaners), who are frustrated by the unavailability of electricity or constant outages from power distribution companies.
Faced with estimated bills for electricity that was never supplied or consumed, these business owners have found solace in charcoal-powered pressing irons.
You may call it archaic, time-consuming, and stressful, but these returnee users are meeting their customers’ expectations and retaining their patronage.
Some of them confirmed to LEADERSHIP that they are no longer at loggerheads with their clients as they deliver on schedule and no longer give the excuse of “we have no electricity to work.”
They ruled out the adoption of solar power and petrol due to their high costs.
One of them, who does not want his name mentioned in print, said, “If we charge our clients based on cost, we will lose them and be out of business. Charcoal is cheap, available and accessible.
“Yes, it takes longer for the device to be ready for use and difficult to control when it overheats. Unlike the electric iron, it is cost-effective. It requires careful handling to avoid burning or staining your customers’ clothes. Outside these, the charcoal pressing iron stands out,” he said
In Nigeria, charcoal-powered pressing irons gained popularity in the mid-20th Century, particularly in rural areas where electricity was scarce. Nigerians used charcoal irons for smoothing their clothes and they became a common household item.
They were valued for their ability to produce crisp, smooth results and were often used for special occasions like weddings and festivals.
By the mid-20th Century, charcoal irons had become ubiquitous in Nigerian households, with many families owning at least one. They were affordable, efficient and reliable, making them a staple in many homes.
The advent of electric irons and modern fabrics in the late 20th Century marked the beginning of the end for charcoal pressing irons in Nigeria. But the absence of electricity or poor supply is bringing it back to many homes and artisans.
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