Of all the types of pressing iron, steam irons eliminate cloth wrinkles the fastest and neatly press your wears. However, a peculiar problem arises during shopping due to the large array of products available. We have found and analyzed some outstanding products in this article to make things easier for you.
Clothes iron buying guide
When your clothes are wrinkled or you want to look extra sharp, a good iron is your best friend. However, if you have an inferior model, then ironing becomes a painful burden that no one wants to do. We are here to help you find the right iron to make this daily chore more enjoyable.
Why do you need an iron?
Even if you are careful, once clothes dry they will inevitably have creases and wrinkles that need to be smoothed out. If you want to look your best, an iron is a must. Paying for cleaners to get those creases just right can be expensive, and we are here to say that you can get that perfect look at home with the right steam iron.
Cordless vs. corded irons
Another consideration to make is whether you want a corded or cordless iron. At this point, we would opt for a corded iron every time because despite the convenience of having no cord, heating up water and metal takes a lot of energy, and the battery life of cordless irons just isn't impressive enough at this stage to make the purchase worth it.
What features should you look for?
Controls
Most irons will come with generally the same controls. Some are mechanical while others are electric. We look for easy-to-read and operate buttons and dials, and a make-or-break feature is a button for steam bursts. Many irons have uncomfortable buttons that are hard to press and can actually cause pain after long ironing sessions. We recommend looking for an iron with buttons that are clearly labelled and comfortable to use.
Anti-scale or anti-calc
Scale or calcium deposits happen naturally with any device that boils water. When the water is turned into steam, the trace minerals in the water are left behind, and this leads to scaling. Most modern irons have an automatic anti-scale feature that collects these deposits and allows you to remove them easily without much mess. Older or cheaper irons may not have such a feature meaning you should only use distilled water or deal with cleaning the scale which can be a challenging and annoying process.
Automatic shut-off
Most irons will have an auto-off feature which will shut the iron off after it has not been used in a while. We love this feature because it saves you from the fear of having left the iron on.
Cord length
One feature you might not think about is the cord length. With most appliances, the length of the cord is not that important, but for an iron, you want to make sure that there is enough slack in the cord to allow you to reach your ironing table and maneuver around without having the cord get caught or stuck. Usually, 2-meter cords are standard, but you can find irons with even longer cords. Consider your space and length requirements before you make your purchase.
Some irons also come with retractable cords that have a tension feature to keep them hidden when not in use. This is a nice feature to have, but it is not necessary.
Anti-drip
In the old days, steam irons were notorious for dripping water onto clothes when they were not hot enough to produce steam. Luckily, new innovations can let the iron detect when there is or is not steam and keep the cold water from dripping on your clothes. This is a nice feature to have on any iron.
Soleplate
The most important part of your iron is the soleplate. This is the flat surface that actually does the work of flattening the iron. As you make your choice there are some specific things to consider:
Material
In the old days, irons were literally made out of iron, which is how they got their name. But iron is not an ideal material because it rusts.
Stainless steel
Today, irons are mostly made of stainless steel which is great because it stays clean and corrosion free. It glides over fabrics smoothly and is easy to clean and maintain
Ceramic and nonstick coatings
Some irons have ceramic-coated soleplates with nonstick surfaces. These may eliminate static while ironing and can reach higher temperatures than stainless steel. However, the coating will eventually wear off, and it may not move as smoothly as stainless steel.
Number of holes
The basic rule of thumb is that the more holes there are, the better. The steam pours out of these holes when you are ironing, so more holes mean that the steam is more evenly distributed. The quality of the machining is also important to give you even distribution.
Size and weight
Remember that the point of a good iron is that it should do the work for you. You may be tempted to buy a lighter iron thinking that it will be easier to use, but then you will find yourself having to press harder and do more work. A good iron should have some heft to it and feel solid in your hand. The weight of the iron, combined with the heat and steam, will give you crisp flat creases without a lot of effort from you.
Shape
While most irons have the traditional shape with the point in front for tight spaces and between buttons, and a straight back, there are some other shapes you might consider. There are multi-directional irons which are pointed at both ends and u-shaped irons with curved backsides. Look for a shape that will best suit your personal needs.
Easy-fill tank
As we said before, one often overlooked feature is the tank capacity and how easy it is to fill. Some irons require the use of a funnel or special cup in order to pour water into the tiny hole. We don't like this. Other irons may leak or be difficult to reach. The ideal tank is of decent size, and has an easy access point. Some irons even allow you to fill them directly from the tap. This is a nice convenience that will save time and frustration.
Comfortable handle
The handle of your iron is something you will be touching again and again. Make sure that the iron you choose has an ergonomic handle shape that does not have any sharp edges or uncomfortable zones. If you have larger hands, check to see that there is enough knuckle clearance between the handle and the top of the iron. You want to be able to grip firmly for long sessions, so it is very important to find one that fits your hand properly.
Self-cleaning
Some irons come with a self-cleaning mode which you use every few weeks to ensure that the soleplate is fresh and clean each time you use it. You can keep your iron clean manually, but this is a nice feature to look for if you want a hassle-free cleaning experience.