An assortment of antique irons, many dating back to the 1800s, is the focal point of the front window display at A&A Curtain Cleaners on Main Street in Santa Ana.
The collection consists of at least 100 irons, some that had to be heated over a hot stove and others containing a chamber where hot coals were placed to maintain heat.
A collection of vintage irons is on display in the front windows at A&A Curtain Cleaning in Santa Ana on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
There are travel irons, early plug-in models and decades-old miniature irons used for pressing small and delicate garments.
The irons have been displayed throughout the business and served as conversation pieces for 50 years.
Maureen and Raymond Telles, owners of A&A Curtain Cleaners since 1993, are planning to sell the business and retire in about a year, but rather than sell the collection they inherited along with the business, the couple said they would rather see them displayed for the public to enjoy, providing a history lesson on how garments were pressed, long before temperature control dials and other features were added, making the task of ironing a breeze.
MaureenTelles, owner of A&A Curtain Cleaning in Santa Ana on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025 is pictured with two of the vintage irons she has. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)