Not many people enjoy the idea of ironing clothes. This chore probably ranks right
up there on the list of much disliked chores, but it is a must unless you want to
look like you just rolled out of bed. Why not make the task a little easier by choosing
an iron that can get the job done quickly?
The iron is probably one of the most purchased small home appliances. It is true
that almost any model will iron a shirt with little trouble, but whoever said we
just wanted our iron to get the wrinkles out? No, we expect them to be able to easily
press a variety of materials without scorching, steam away unwanted wrinkles both
horizontally and vertically, spray a light mist or burst of steam for when those
stubborn wrinkles refuse to budge, and clean itself so that we avoid that nasty
habit of clogging up and depositing residue on our clean shirts. Luckily, manufacturers
produce a wide array of models that can do all these things and more.
Considerations when selecting an iron
There are three basic types of household irons. One is the steam iron. The majority
of irons sold today are steam irons. Another is a dry iron which does not require
water nor does it produce steam. Some delicate fabrics are better suited to dry
ironing. The third option, a steam/dry iron, is a combination iron that covers all
the bases. For the most part, it functions as a steam iron, but it also has the
ability to switch to a dry iron if needed.
Irons differ in a number of ways including the material used on the soleplate, the
size, weight and features offered. Other things you should consider when shopping
for an iron are:
Durability
Irons that are more durable in nature are able to supply a full measure of steam
and heat after many hours of use. The life span of irons that are not durable are
cut short by scaling. Scaling is when the soleplate gets clogged from mineral deposits
in the water. When that happens, it becomes difficult to fix -- if it can be fixed
at all.
The material of the soleplate lends to the iron's durability. Iron soleplates are
made out of either stainless steel, aluminum or some type of non-stick material.
Aluminum and stainless steel are generally cheaper and more hard wearing. Non-stick
soleplates make it easier to glide the iron over the fabric and are easier to clean.
Unfortunately, nonstick surfaces require extra care because they can scratch more
readily. This, in turn, increases your odds of having the iron stick to and/or scorch
your clothes.
Usage
Is the majority of the clothes you iron made out of a particular type of fiber?
Different fibers respond differently to an iron. For example, if you iron mostly
natural fiber clothes such as linens and jeans, you are going to want to use lots
of steam to get the wrinkles out. Bursts of steam and spray features to smooth out
wrinkles are helpful with natural fiber products. On the other hand, most synthetic
fabrics and blends do best with a less powerful steamer.
Feel
Irons are one of those items that you need to test drive. Some iron handles do not
work well with large hands and some are particularly heavy when filled with water.
You need to make sure that the iron feels comfortable in your hand and that you
are able to lift it without difficulty.
Controls
Check the iron's controls. There are a variety of models that offer slide, dial
and even digital control options. How easy are they for you to use? Can you see
them clearly and access them easily without knocking over the iron or potentially
fumbling with or burning yourself when operating it?
Features
As we mentioned, today's models offer a multitude of features. Some are "must haves"
while others are now considered standard features on most irons.
- Steam Control - Allows
you to adjust the level of steam needed.
- Anti-Drip - Prevents leaks
when you use the steam feature on a lower temperature setting.
- Burst of Steam - Push button
feature for extra steam blasts.
- Fabric Guide - an easy
to see and use guide for setting the correct temperature by fabric.
- Temperature Control - A clearly
marked and accessible control for setting and changing the temperature to suit the
fabric.
- Indicator Light - Lets
you know if the iron is on/off.
- Automatic Shut Off - A
30 to 60 second shut off feature is a safety must. Three way shut off are available
on some irons which allow the iron to shut off automatically when tipped on its
side.
- Water Reservoirs - Reservoirs
can vary in size from 4 to 15 ounces, and can have a hinged or sliding cover on
the water-fill hole, or be a stand-alone removable tank.
- Self-Cleaning - This feature
is a useful routine maintenance feature that allows the iron to flush the mineral
deposits from its vents.
- Retractable Cord or Cordless
- Retractables keep your cords from becoming knotted and twisted and provide for
easy storage. While cordless irons also eliminate these problems, they may not maintain
heat readily. You may find yourself having to reheat the iron every few minutes.
Be sure to check the manufacturer specifications for how long the cordless can go
before having to be reheated in its stand.
Top Selling Brands, Types & Styles
Steam Irons
Although a rather heavy iron, the
Rowenta Advancer has several notable features including vertical steam (which
allows you to steam curtains or hanging garments), burst of steam, variable steam,
anti-calcium control (to prevent buildup) and auto shut-off. Its Microsteam soleplate
produces a solid stream of steam and heat distribution for the most effective ironing.
More than 400 microsteam holes ensure even and optimal steam distribution from the
tip of the soleplate to the rounded rear.
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Another great Rowenta iron is the
Professional DM890 that works well for both home and commercial use. This
iron has a soft touch handle thumb rest for professional control while ironing and
the ability to produce extra long bursts of steam for those set in wrinkles. This
iron can also be used in an upright position to remove wrinkles from hanging garments
or drapes. The DM890 has a self cleaning system, an extra large (12.5 oz) water
tank, and a 3 way shut-off feature.
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The Black & Decker Digital Advantage D2030 is another great steam iron that performs well. The
editors of Good Housekeeping and Consumer Reports gave this iron high
marks for getting out wrinkles. It has vertical steam, burst of steam and a 10-minute
motion-sensitive auto shut-off. It also has LCD display settings and reminders to
run the self-cleaning cycle. The
Hamilton Beach Professional 14970 also received high marks from Consumer Reports.
This heavy-duty stainless steel soleplated iron has Press Free™ steaming, fine-mist
spraying, anti-drip technology, and automatic shut off with reset. |
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Also highly rated, but affordable, is the
Sunbeam 4238 Professional Iron. This steam iron features a non-stick soleplate
and can spray, burst and vertically spray steam. It claims to be drip free even
at low temperature settings and offers digital electronic controls for easy reading
and access.
If you are thinking of going cordless, consider the
Smartek ST2000 Cord/Cordless Steam Iron. With this iron, only the docking
cradle is plugged in allowing you to remain free of the tangle of cords while ironing.
However, with the simple flip of the switch you can choose to use it as a conventional
iron with cord. This cord/cordless iron gives you powerful steam and features temperature
control and variable steam control, so you can adjust them for fabrics. It also
has a built-in water mister for stubborn wrinkles. Other features include vertical
steam for curtains and hanging garments and steam burst for tougher wrinkles. The
Panasonic NIL45NR Cordless Steam Iron is another light weight affordable
cordless option. While not loaded with a variety of features, it does a good job
at removing wrinkles quickly. Features do include a Titanium coated soleplate, a
removable water tank, fabric chart and electronic temps.
Dry Irons
The
Continental CE23001 Iron Dry Classic is a good old fashion style iron that heats
up fast and does a good job without leaving the marks from steam holes. It has adjustable
temperature control, cool touch handle, and a polished soleplate. It is a true classic.
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Steam/Dry Irons
The
Steam Fast SF747 comes packed with the features of a professional steam
iron. Its patented SteamJet technology quickly delivers strong, penetrating bursts
of steam while the dry effect can be achieved just as quickly and easily. You can
also use it horizontally like a conventional iron, or vertically like a professional
garment steamer.
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The
Black and Decker Classic Metal Steam and Dry Iron has a durable 3.25 pound metal
body designed for tough ironing jobs. The polished aluminum soleplate has 25 steam
vents for complete steaming performance from delicates and silks to heavy denim,
cotton and linen. The handy fabric temperature guide makes it easy to select just
the right amount of heat for the job at hand.
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The
Panasonic NIH24NR Stream Dry Iron with Spray offers many convenient features
such as an automatic retractable cord, adjustable steam controls, spray mist non-stick
coating, 3 way auto shut-off, and an easy pushbutton steam/dry selector. Panasonic's
NIR71NR 3-Way Auto Shut-off Steam/Dry Iron also has a 3-way auto shut-off
that shuts the unit off when no movement is detected. The detachable water tank
easily snaps on and off the main unit for water filling and the automatic cord reel
retracts into the reel house at the touch of the button.
Price Range
How much you are willing to pay for an iron will probably have a lot to do with
how often you use it. If you occasionally pull out the odd outfit to press the wrinkles
out of it, then a basic model should meet your needs. However, if you frequently
use an iron, and prefer to do your own ironing instead of paying the dry cleaner
to do it, a more durable iron with several features may be more useful and provide
a better return on your investment over the long run.
Most consumers can expect to find a basic model for around $25. Top-of-the-line
models can cost $130 and more. The higher priced irons which can run from $60 to
$100 may seem a little pricey, but they are a good investment. Many models in this
price range share several common features including longer durability, heavier in
weight, greater steam control, variable steam settings, glide surfaces, a drip stop
system for steam vents and are self cleaning.
Top Manufacturers