Choosing a good iron: important points and steps. Let's buy right!

Steaming capability and related functions

There are several types of this technique.

Standard iron

The device is intended for ironing synthetic and mixed lightweight materials. They have a pump-action sprinkler, but it is not present in all models. The main advantage of this type is its low cost.

Advice! If you choose a standard device, it is better to give preference to a heavier unit.

With steam generator

The most common device, presented in different price categories. In great demand. According to the principle of operation, it differs from conventional devices in one function - the presence of a steaming effect. Steam can be supplied independently if the soleplate is positioned vertically, or under pressure (steam boost). Copes with ironing any fabrics, including delicate materials and decorated items placed directly on the hanger.

However, this functional iron has its drawbacks. If you pour untreated water into the device, the steam channels on the surface of the sole quickly become clogged.

Steaming effect is a popular option among consumers

Advice! After using the device, any remaining liquid from the reservoir must be drained. By following this rule, you can easily extend the life of your equipment.

Travel iron

Compact equipment will help you effectively cope with ironing on the go. It practically does not differ in functionality from conventional devices. Most copies have a steaming function.

Main features:

• removable handle;
• small dimensions;
• special case for convenient transportation.

You can comfortably iron small wardrobe items and difficult areas.

Compact travel option

The disadvantage is the limited temperature range.

Wireless

In terms of external parameters, cordless irons do not differ from conventional irons, but heating occurs due to installation on a docking station - it accumulates heat. When a sound alert sounds or the indicator lights up indicating that it is ready for use, remove the device from the stand and begin ironing. The process is continued until the sole cools down (cooling occurs after 25-50 seconds, and heating occurs after 4-6 seconds).

The advantages of such a device include:

• fast heating speed;
• a light weight;
• functionality (steam blow, drop-stop, self-cleaning).

Functional wireless device

The disadvantages include:

• short period of battery life;
• average intensity of steam treatment.

Steam station

An effective technique consisting of a powerful device connected via a hose device to an external unit with a steam generator. A reservoir of at least 2 liters is filled with liquid, which allows it to be used for two hours continuously. The box is used as a stand. Used in professional areas - studios, laundries, clothing production.

The advantages are:

• the intensity of steam supply and temperature conditions are conveniently adjusted for different types of materials;
• ECO mode, which reduces power consumption.

Efficient steam station

The disadvantages of such a station include:

• high cost of the unit;
• strict requirements for the quality of water being poured;
• hose that limits the work process.

Basic criteria for choosing an iron for the home

There is a large selection of modern equipment in stores. If you want to purchase a high-quality, durable device, you should pay attention to the main characteristics.

Working surface

The main element is the work surface. The quality of ironing and the lifespan of the product depend on it. In order for the device to meet all requirements, you need to study the important parameters of the sole.

Material of manufacture

1. Aluminum. Lightweight and inexpensive material that heats up and cools down quickly. A big drawback in such specimens is considered to be low resistance to overheating and mechanical damage. The operating time of the aluminum sole is reduced to a minimum;
2. Stainless steel. It is one of the most durable materials; the working surface can only be damaged by falls or strong impacts. Models with a steel surface have average slip performance on fabrics and an optimal cost. They are easy to care for, but quite heavy. A significant disadvantage is that it takes a long time to heat up and cool down;
3. Teflon. The Teflon coating effectively smoothes any product, glides well, and is inexpensive. Disadvantages include the rapid thinning of the sole, the appearance of chips upon impact, and the ease of scratching on buttons and zippers;
4. Titanium. The durable titanium coating is easy to maintain, has high strength, and glides perfectly over the material. The titanium working surface takes longer to heat up. The downside is the high price.

Aluminum sole Titanium sole Stainless steel sole Teflon sole

Form

1. Spout shape. Rounded wide noses do not allow the surface to iron hard-to-reach areas on clothing. It is necessary to pay attention to the sharp spout of the device. This model makes it easier to iron collars and cuffs. In some specimens there is a depression in the area of ​​the cape, and at the junction of the sole and body there is a narrow groove. These benefits are designed to smooth out gaps among buttons;
2. Surface area. Considering the dimensions of the surface, it is necessary to remember that small narrow devices are good for their maneuverability, but ironing requires more time, especially when processing long large sheets and curtains.

Holes

Another criterion by which a working surface is selected is holes. They are used to release steam. Their number depends on the manufacturer. Using holes increases the efficiency of the device. Their number and size may vary significantly on different samples. But the most important rule is the uniform placement of the eyes around the entire perimeter.

The holes should be evenly spaced

Healthy! When choosing a high-quality device, you need to pay attention not only to the material of the working surface, but also to its shape, the number of steam holes and their location. The presence of additional Teflon and non-stick coatings will extend the service life and have a positive effect on the further performance of the equipment.

Power

The rate of heating and the time for leveling the clothes depend on this indicator. Powerful equipment consumes a lot of electricity:

• 1000-1500 W. The low power of the unit is suitable for ironing T-shirts, dresses and clothes made from lightweight materials. It takes a lot of effort to straighten towels and bed linen. Convenient to use when traveling;
• 1500-2000 W. Household devices in this range can handle all types of fabrics, even dry clothes. The best option for a family where ironing occurs several times a week.

Modes

Modern standard irons operate at a minimum of 3-4 heat levels. The modes are indicated on the controller by a different number of dot images or by generally accepted definitions of materials:

1. Delicate fabrics (silk);
2. Cotton;
3. Wool;
4. Linen.

Steam supply system

1. Constant steam (20-80 g/min). Converting more water into steam per minute is necessary for smoothing thick fabrics and heavily wrinkled clothes. The steam supply speed directly depends on the power indicators. For everyday use, 20-30 g/min is sufficient;
2. Steam boost (over 150 g/min). By pressing a button, a jet of steam is directed to the desired area of ​​​​the fabric to soften coarse fibers. Thus, the material is quickly smoothed out, and the need to make additional efforts disappears;
3. Vertical steaming. A convenient function in a home iron that completely replaces a steamer. This mode allows you to iron any type of clothing on hangers, as well as curtains, without removing them from the curtains. Steam is supplied through the holes in the sole with the force of a steam boost.

Vertical steaming is an important and convenient function

Design

When purchasing an iron, it is important to pay attention to the design itself. Comfortable location of the regulators, a comfortable handle with rubberized inserts and a stylish appearance - modern technology combines many criteria.

Do not forget that the original design can be much more expensive than a model with the same functionality, but with a classic case.

Weight

A very light device will not cope well with creases on clothes made of thick fabric, and a heavy one will tire your hand during the ironing process. You need to focus on averages.

Important! The main requirement for travel irons is light weight. It won't take up much space in your luggage and will help deal with wrinkled fabrics.

Power cord

The optimal length of the power cord is 2.5-3.5 m. These parameters allow you to easily maneuver the device. The winding consists of heat-resistant fabric. Some models have an automatic wire rewind option.

The optimal cord length is from 2.5 to 3.5 meters

What to look for when choosing an iron

Power Just remember that the more electricity the iron consumes, the more powerful it is, and at the same time, the more efficient the ironing process is. Optimal power 1600-2300 W. By the way, if you have an old electrical network, do not choose an iron that is too powerful, so as not to knock out the plugs.

The sole is one of the most important elements of the iron / How to Clean Things

Sole coating This is perhaps the most important point that you need to pay attention to when choosing an iron. Firstly, the sole should not harm your clothes. Secondly, it does not stick during ironing. Thirdly, it should heat up evenly. What types of iron soles are there?

• ceramic (glides perfectly over clothes, is easy to clean, but is fragile);
• aluminum (heats up and cools down quickly, but leaves a shine on the fabric);
• stainless (glides easily, is durable, but makes the iron heavy);
• Teflon (non-stick coating and easy to slide, but easily scratched);
• titanium (glides perfectly, strong and durable).

These are the main types of soles. And, as a rule, most manufacturers use them as a base, adding special coatings and coatings that make their iron unique and recognizable.

A vertical steamer will refresh your clothes / Garment Steamer Reviews

Steam boost Nowadays you won’t surprise anyone with an iron with steaming. And manufacturers are doing everything possible to maximize the steam boost (this will allow you to use an iron instead of a vertical steamer). By the way, do not confuse permanent steam and steam boost. The latter is activated using a button in order to smooth out wrinkles on thick fabric or iron clothes that should not be leaned against with an iron. For everyday use, an iron with a steam boost of 70-110 g/min is sufficient. If you devote more time to this process, take a more powerful model to save time. Additional functions A good iron should have the following functions: dry ironing of clothes (drip stop), self-cleaning, auto shut-off, and the ability to vertically steam clothes.

The steam generator is suitable for a large family / Tefal Blog

Dry ironing means your outfit won't be caught in the drips that form during pairing. This will allow you to avoid waiting for the outfit to dry after ironing.

There are types of irons that do not need to adjust the temperature / Womens Magazine

Self-cleaning is necessary for those who will use regular water while ironing. This function will remove scale from the iron. Auto shut-off is an important feature for those who constantly worry about whether they have turned off the iron. This function turns off the iron after 30 seconds (depending on the manufacturer) in a horizontal position if it has not been used, and also after 10 minutes in a vertical position. Vertical steaming is suitable for those who want to use an iron instead of a steamer. This way you can save money on buying two devices.

Additional selection criteria

Modern technology is endowed with sufficient functionality. When choosing an iron for use at home, you need to pay special attention to additional options:

• safety system. Some modernized models have a huge advantage - a security system. Such a device automatically turns off if it is inactive for some time. This function will help to avoid a fire if you forgot to turn off the iron;
• scale protection. Nowadays, almost all devices are equipped with this system, even inexpensive devices are designed with a built-in self-cleaning function. The descaling process occurs by pressing a special button. Thanks to this, you can fill with ordinary tap water;

  
  Anti-scale protection allows you to pour water from the tap

• water container. Standard container volumes for liquid are 200-250 ml. However, the higher this parameter, the longer you can steam clothes;
• anti-drip system. This program prevents heated liquid from leaking out of the container during ironing. This protects against burns and excessive water consumption.

Healthy! When buying a household iron, you need to choose a device that is comfortable to hold in your hand. A functional device can have many options, be comfortable and at the same time be quite inexpensive.

Continuous steam function

The sole of almost all modern irons has many holes through which a stream of hot steam is supplied to the fabric, thanks to which even the most unruly wrinkles on your linen or clothes are instantly smoothed out. The greater the number of holes, the faster the fabric is moistened, i.e. it steams and levels out faster. At the same time, the location of the holes on the sole is also important, so each manufacturing company has its own patented technologies and innovations in terms of the appearance and design of the sole of the irons they produce. The classic arrangement is considered to be small holes on the toe and heel of the sole, and large holes along its edge. The technical characteristic of the steam supply function is the speed of its supply to the surface of the fabric. The speed can range from 10 to 150 g/min depending on the power of the electric iron. In order to smooth out wrinkles on ordinary fabrics, 25-30 grams per minute is enough.

The higher this indicator of an electrical device, the easier and faster it can smooth out difficult folds on thick and “complex” fabrics. It should be understood that the higher the steam supply rate, the greater the water consumption. This should be taken into account when choosing an iron: if you want a higher steam speed, buy a device with a spacious water tank. However, at the same time, your iron will become more massive and heavier, which not all housewives like.

Rating of the best manufacturers of irons for the home

Budget models

Middle price segment

Premium models

How to choose an iron?

Do you know how to choose the right iron? Very simple! Read the article, make a cheat sheet and go to the store to the consultants. In this article, we will look at the main characteristics that you should pay attention to when choosing an iron: power, soleplate, type of steam supply, spray and steam, anti-drip system, cords, handles and weight. Irons are simple, steam and with a steam generator. Irons of the first type are almost never produced, since there is practically no demand for them. The main model range of many well-known manufacturers is represented mainly by conventional steam irons that are used in everyday life. Irons with a steam generator cost about five times more than regular steam irons. Their use is beneficial for large volumes of work (ateliers, salons, workshops, laundries, etc.). Let's focus on ordinary steam irons that we need in everyday life. The sole is the most important element of the iron. The purpose of scientific research into the development and creation of soles is to reduce friction during the ironing process and protect the sole from damage that is inevitable in the process of ironing items with buttons, snaps and zippers. In addition, the soleplate of the iron should distribute heat evenly. To cover the soleplate of the iron, manufacturers use various materials: stainless or chrome-plated steel, aluminum or aluminum with Teflon or Ceralon non-stick coating, metal ceramics. Stainless steel. Irons with stainless steel soles are offered by companies - BOSCH, SIEMENS, MOULINEX, ROWENTA. This material is durable (though not as durable as ceramics), does not scratch, heats up and cools well, glides quite easily over fabric, and is easy to clean. However, such irons may be somewhat heavy, and heating and cooling take a little longer than irons with aluminum soles. ROWENTA makes special recesses on its soles; when steam enters there, an air cushion is formed, thanks to which the iron glides more easily over the fabric (INOX sole). Other companies are trying to make their soles extra durable. BRAUN, for example, treats stainless steel with sapphire powder ("Sapfir" soles) so that the soles are resistant to metal buttons and zippers on clothing. MOULINEX uses chrome plating, which increases the anti-corrosion properties of the sole. Aluminum. Aluminum for soles is used by PHILIPS, ROWENTA, MOULINEX. Irons with such soles heat up and cool down very quickly (faster than those with steel soles), they are often cheaper than models with steel soles, but aluminum can be damaged quite easily. Ceramics. BOSCH, TEFAL and PHILIPS use ceramic coating. TEFAL uses cermet coating (Supergliss Actif sole). Its advantages are that the iron glides easily over fabrics, does not wrinkle the fabric when ironing, and can be cleaned with a damp cloth. TEFAL's latest development is the unique Durilium material (Ultragliss Actif series), which provides unrivaled ease of gliding, high scratch resistance and ease of cleaning. TEFAL irons also have a rounded back part of the sole, which allows you to avoid pinching the fabric when moving the iron backwards. The Teflon coating does not allow fabric fibers to burn, but it constantly deteriorates when in contact with zippers and definitely iron fasteners, and it doesn’t glide well. Also, some models are available with additional soles, for example, with a thermal protective sole, which allows you to remove the iron immediately after use, or with attachments to protect delicate fabrics. Power. The efficiency of ironing largely depends on the power of the iron. During normal operation, the optimal power is 1600 W. Depending on the iron model, the power varies from 1200 W to 2200 W. If your life moves at a fast pace, then, of course, you need a powerful iron that heats up quickly. Temperature conditions. A good iron accurately maintains the set temperature. This is especially important when ironing synthetic and silk fabrics, which are very sensitive to even slight excesses of 120°C. "Steam" characteristics of irons. Steam boost (turbo steam) - a one-time increased supply of steam (about twice as much). A very convenient function for smoothing dry or thick fabrics (jeans, linen). Vertical steaming - steam is supplied by the iron in a vertical position. This allows you to iron a coat, jacket, etc. without removing it from the hanger. splashing (spray) - when you press the button during ironing, the iron sprays water in front of itself - convenient for smoothing out wrinkles around cuffs, etc. BRAUN irons not only spray water, but also emit a steam jet from the spout - very convenient for smoothing out wrinkles. Storage tank. The larger the water tank, the longer the iron can work in “autonomous” mode. Anti-drip (dripstop) system. During ironing at a low temperature, steam does not have time to form in the iron, and water can simply flow out of the holes; the dripstop system allows you to avoid this. Fire protection. Modern irons, if you forget to turn it off or simply don’t use it for 8-15 minutes (don’t move it), automatically disconnect from the network, which completely eliminates the possibility of a fire. The ease of using the iron largely depends on the length and softness of the cord. The maneuverability of its fastening is also important. In most cases, the cord can move “forward-backward” and “right-left”. But it’s much better when it can be rotated 360° - this greatly reduces the likelihood of rubbing the winding. A good iron has a groove for buttons, i.e. The edge of the sole is so thin that when ironing even the most elegant blouses, you can easily move the iron under the button and iron the fabric underneath. The number of holes on the soleplate of the iron affects the quality and comfort of ironing. Good irons have 50-110. Anti-scale protection. The scale that forms in the iron significantly impedes the formation of steam. Modern irons are equipped with removable anti-scale rods (sometimes ceramic models are made to provide the best protection against scale), and also have self-cleaning functions that allow tap water to be poured into the iron. However, built-in anti-scale systems that provide preliminary water purification are recognized as the best. So which iron should you choose? First, you need to decide what features you need. If you don't like walking around in a wrinkled coat, then you definitely need a vertical steam iron. If you like, often wear and wash jeans and other things made of cotton, linen, then it would be useful to have a “turbo steam” function in your iron, etc. Also pay attention to the power of the iron. We recommend using irons with ceramic soles. These irons are slightly more expensive than irons with regular metal soleplates, but this pays off in the durability and ease of care of these irons. The best irons with such soles are offered by TEFAL (ULTRAGLISS series) and PHILIPS (AZUR 4000, MISTRAL 2000 series). If you are interested in cheap irons, but would really like to have many functions in your model, then you should pay attention to the irons of the Austrian company VITEK.

We wish you a good choice!

Tips for choosing

1. Household steam irons make the ironing process faster and more comfortable. The list of materials and products that can be ironed with such a unit is unlimited;
2. Before purchasing, you need to determine the required purposes of the device. There is no need to overpay for design and parameters if you can purchase a cheaper copy with approximately the same options;
3. For families, a medium-power device with standard functionality is suitable. It consumes little electricity and does not overload the network;
4. For single people, the ideal solution would be to purchase a household item with minimal power;
5. If you choose an option for traveling, you should opt for a road version. It will take up minimal space in your luggage and is lighter in weight;
6. The durable titanium coating is easy to maintain, has high strength, and glides well over fabric, but you will have to spend a lot of money to purchase such a device;
7. Holes for steam supply should be located along the entire perimeter of the sole. The dimensions of the working surface should be of average parameters;
8. When purchasing, you need to pay attention not only to the technical parameters, but also to take into account the comfort of use, so that during a long work process your hand does not get tired from the weight.

Watch a video on how to choose the right iron