If in your wardrobe besides synthetic things that do not practically require care, there are also clothes made of natural fabrics, you need to choose an iron for the house in order to properly and safely care for them, and always look neat. About what moments need to be considered when choosing an iron, what characteristics to pay attention to, which manufacturers to give preference to, it will be discussed below.
- Types of stainless steel irons
- soleplate
- soleplate of aluminum
- Tips for Choosing
- Dimensions and weight
- Power
- Length of cord
- hose length for steam
- Useful functions irons
- Automatic shutdown
- Steam
- steam generator
- Vertical steam stripping
- Deepening in sole for buttons and zippers
- Moistening of fabric
- Anti-drip system
- Self-cleaning
- Descaling
- WirelessOperation
- Ball attachment and automatic winding
- Foldable handle
- Optional accessories
- Manufacturers of irons for the house
Kinds of irons
The main feature that is the hallmark of all irons on the market is the outsole material. For the manufacture of soles used:
- stainless steel;
- aluminum.
Iron sole from
The most commonly used material for the manufacture of soles of iron. Due to the special polishing of such soles, an excellent gliding index is provided. Stainless steel is very difficult to scratch or cause other mechanical damage.
Advantages:
- affordable price;
- strength;
- durability.
Disadvantage:
insufficient functionality in the absence of a special coating of ceramic or Teflon.
Aluminum sole is made of aluminum
Aluminum is a material that heats up very quickly, which is why it is used in the manufacture of irons by some companies. But this material is much inferior to stainless steel for performance characteristics - it is not so durable and reliable, with active use on aluminum soles, there are often scratches that can damage delicate fabrics.
Advantages:
- high thermal conductivity;
- low weight;
- low cost.
Disadvantages:
- susceptibility to mechanical damage;
- fragility;
- impossibility to use for ironing very delicate fabrics( to avoid damage).
To significantly improve the performance of irons with aluminum or stainless soles, modern materials are available that are applied to the surface of the sole with a thin layer. These materials include:
- ceramics and cermets;
- titanium;
- Teflon.
Such coatings are effective protection of things from mechanical and thermal damage, increase the slip, make the care of the iron less burdensome.
to table of contents ^Tips for choosing
to table of contents ^Overall dimensions and weight
Irons are divided into standard and road. All standard devices have approximately the same overall dimensions, the weight depends on which material the sole is made of. As for road irons, for the convenience of their transportation, manufacturers significantly reduce their weight and size. For everyday intensive use, road irons are not suitable because they have too little power.
to contents ^Power
One of the most important parameters when choosing an iron. The higher the power, the less time is spent on ironing things. All irons are divided into:
- low-power - up to 1.5 kW( road and intended for rooms with weak wiring);
- medium power - 1.6-1.9 kW( suitable for small families);
- powerful - from 2.2 kW( suitable for large families).
Cord length
The models on the market have a length of one meter to four meters. Optimal length - at least 2 meters.
to contents ^Hose length for steam
Hose length can be from 1.5 to 4 meters. The optimum length in each case is individual, and depends on the features of the use of the device.
to contents ^Useful functions of
irons to contents ^Automatic shutdown
The iron switches off automatically if it is in a horizontal position motionless for more than thirty seconds, or in an upright position for more than ten minutes. Automatic shutdown improves the safety of the device. Some models provide a signal for automatic shutdown. The signal can be sound, light or combined.
to contents ^Steam supply
Almost all modern irons have a function of supplying steam, which, as a rule, is carried out continuously. Steam greatly simplifies the process of ironing things, especially those that are overdried or made from very creased fabrics. The supply of steam is carried out through the holes in the sole( efficiency largely depends on the number of holes, and on the order of their location).When choosing an iron, pay attention to the steam flow rate at its constant supply( the higher this index, the more efficient the iron will be), as well as the maximum vapor pressure. Of great importance is the volume of the water tank - the bigger it is, the less often you have to add water.
Convenient is the ability to adjust the intensity of steam supply, to select the optimal speed of steam supply you can by turning the regulator in front of the iron handle.
Some models of irons have the function of steam impact - steam is supplied at a time under very high pressure. This helps to cope with even the most difficult for ironing tissues.
to contents ^Steam generator
Models of irons with steam generators( or steam stations) are the most expensive variations of irons. The steam generator is a separate unit with a heater, steam is generated in this unit. The steam generator is connected to the iron with a special hose. High pressure allows the device to quickly generate steam and continuously feed it. Models with a steam generator are optimal in conditions of large volumes of ironing. The only drawback is that the steam generator takes up a lot of space.
Vertical steam stripping
This function allows you to care for things without removing them from the hanger. Used for ironing coats, jackets and suits, clothes from thin fabrics. The steam feed rate with the vertical position of the iron is equal to the speed of the steam impact.
to the table of contents ^Deepening in the sole for buttons and "lightning"
The presence of such a groove makes it possible to smoothly smooth things with "zippers" and buttons, without damaging the surface of the soleplate of the iron.
to the table of contents ^Moisturizing the fabric
The fabric is moistened by the spray nozzle built into the iron spout. The atomizer is simply necessary, if you often iron things from fabrics, for ironing which the use of steam is undesirable.
to contents ^Anti-drip system
If ironing is carried out at low temperature using steam, steam may not have time to form, and water will flow out of the holes of the sole in the form of droplets. The presence of an anti-drip system avoids this and prevents the appearance of ugly divorces on thin tissues.
to contents ^Self-cleaning
Self-cleaning involves clearing the chamber for steam from dirt and scale. The function is activated by a separate button or in some cases by a steam kick button.
to contents ^Descaling
Models of irons from medium and high price categories are equipped with special filters that purify water and prevent the formation of scale. Filters can be permanent or interchangeable. If your iron does not have this function, and also does not have a self-cleaning function, it is better to pour filtered or even boiled water into the water tank. This will significantly extend the life of the device.
to contents ^Wireless operation
Some models of irons include a special stand that is connected to the network. To use it you need exactly the same as the stand for electric kettles - when the iron is standing on it, its sole is heated, after it has heated to the desired temperature, the iron can be used as comfortably as the wires will not impede movements. Models with the possibility of wireless use have a higher cost compared to models that operate exclusively from the network.
to contents ^Ball attachment and automatic winding
The ball mount improves the ease of use of the iron, as it prevents the cord from twisting at the base - the cord rotates 360 degrees.
Automatic winding involves pulling the cord into the iron body when pressing a special button.
to contents ^Foldable handle
Folding handle, as a rule, equipped with road models of irons, this design greatly simplifies the transportation and storage of the device. In the folded form, this handle fits snugly against the iron body, significantly reducing its overall dimensions.
to the table of contents ^Additional accessories
Complete with irons, the following accessories can be delivered:
- nozzle for delicate fabrics( suitable for ironing extremely thin fabrics, preventing spoilage);
- measuring cup( has a pointed spout, which greatly simplifies the filling of the reservoir with water);
- carrying case for storing and storing iron( usually supplied with road models of irons).
Manufacturers of irons for the house
If you want to buy a high-quality iron that will not fail to serve you for many years, pay attention to the products of the following manufacturers:
- Bosch;
- Braun;
- Philips;
- Rowenta;
- Tefal.
Choose an iron from the middle price range with the necessary set of functions, then its operation will be comfortable, and your things will always look perfect.