How to choose a good iron for your home

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

If you think that all irons are the same, you are wrong. The life hacker will explain how modern models differ and help you choose the optimal one.

Decide on the type of iron

Irons are steam and conventional, that is, without a steam function. These are outdated models, when ironing with which you need to put damp gauze on complex fabrics. There are almost no such irons on sale now.

Steam irons come with a built-in or external water tank. The latter are the so-called steam stations: steam is generated in a large free-standing container and fed into the iron through a hose.

Steam stations iron quickly and efficiently, but are expensive and require a lot of space. They are often used in tailor shops and laundries. In everyday life, a simple steam iron is quite enough. The main thing is to decide on the outsole, power and function.

Choose a sole

Design is the last thing to look for when buying an iron. It is much more important to study the ironing surface.

The soles of modern irons are made from:

• of stainless steel;
• aluminum;
• ceramics;
• teflon;
• titanium.

Each of these materials has its own pros and cons. Stainless steel - inexpensive, reliable, glides well. But during operation, especially incorrectly, a burn forms on the sole, so the iron must be cleaned regularly.

Aluminum coating is also a budget option. An iron with such a sole heats up and cools quickly, but it does not last long. Metal is easily deformed, over time, jags form on it, which can damage things made of delicate fabrics.

Ceramic soles glide perfectly on any materials, do not stick to clothes even if the temperature is violated. But they are very fragile - it is better not to drop them.

Teflon coatings are also great for smoothing things, but they are easy to scratch with buttons or zippers when ironing, as well as abrasives.

Titanium soles, or rather, steel with titanium spraying - the last word in the "ironing industry". They are good for everyone, except for a long cooling down and a high price.

There are also models with double soles, when the attachment is put on the main one for ironing delicate fabrics.

Having decided on the material of the sole, take a look at its shape.

The larger the iron area, the faster the ironing process. The sharper the nose, the easier it is to iron collars, cuffs and between buttons.

Steam irons have steam holes on the soleplate. Small ones - on the nose and heel, large - on the sides. The more, the better. It is also good if there are grooves. They help the steam to be distributed evenly.

The steam generation rate depends on the power of the iron.

Decide on the power

Irons can be divided into three groups according to their power.

1. Up to 1,500 W - travel irons. They do well with light T-shirts and dresses, with bed linen and towels you have to tinker with. Option for travel and singles.
2. 1,600–2,000 W - household irons. Such devices can handle almost any things, even slightly dry ones. An option for families where they iron several times a week.
3. More than 2,000 W - professional irons. Such power can boast of expensive models and steam stations. Option for tailor shops and dry cleaners, as well as families with a lot of ironing.

Explore the functionality

Modern irons have various options. Learn what a feature does before paying extra for it.

Function	What gives
Continuous steam	The more water is converted into steam in a minute, the easier it is to smooth thick fabrics and heavily wrinkled items. Steam speed - from 10 to 150 g / min - depends on the power of the iron. Usually 20-30 g / min is enough in everyday life.
Steam blow	By pressing a special button, you can direct a powerful jet of hot steam to a specific area of the fabric and thereby soften coarse fibers. For ordinary household needs, a steam blow at a speed of about 90 g / min is more than enough.
Spray	Some things need to be dampened to smooth them out. With this function, you do not need to use a spray bottle.
Anti-drip system	In some ironing modes, steam generation is not possible. In this case, water can flow out of the holes in the sole, and stains can form on the fabric. To avoid this, manufacturers equip irons with an anti-drip system.
Vertical steaming	Irons with this function can easily replace steamers, since they allow you to iron clothes on hangers, and curtains on cornices. Steam is supplied from the holes in the soleplate with the power of a steam boost.
Self-cleaning	This feature eliminates the need to fill only purified water or use removable anti-scale filters.
Auto power off	A function for those who, leaving the house, ask themselves the question: "Have I turned off the iron?" If the device is stationary in a horizontal position for 30 seconds or more, it will turn off. If the device is left unattended for 10-15 minutes, it will also turn off.
Automatic cord rewind	After pressing a special button, the wire is hidden inside the iron, which saves space during storage.

Consider all the nuances

Sole material and shape, power and functionality are the main criteria when choosing an iron. But there are other nuances to consider.

1. Iron weight. The optimum is 1.5 kg. A light iron will need to be pressed against the ironing board when ironing out strong creases. Heavy (about 2 kg) hands will quickly get tired.
2. Cord length. Ironing is convenient if the wire is 1.5–2 meters long. It is desirable that it be mounted on a hinge and rotated 360 degrees. There are wireless models, when the iron heats up on a special stand or runs on battery power. This increases the maneuverability of the device. But if there is a lot of ironing, you will have to constantly recharge.
3. The handle should fit into the hand like a glove. A rubberized handle is a good solution.
4. The reservoir should be transparent or translucent so that it is convenient to monitor the water level. So that the liquid does not have to be added too often, the volume of the tank should be 200-300 ml.
5. Price. The average price tag for a powerful iron with a ceramic sole and several basic functions (for example, constant steam and auto shut-off) is about 3,000 rubles. But the range of prices for irons is very large. It all depends on the brand, outsole material, power and additional features.