- Iron Selection Criteria
- Iron Selection for Power
- What should I choose the soleplate of an iron?
- How to choose an iron for functionality?
- Additional selection criteria
Everyone loves things, but it is impossible to pick up all clothes for the wardrobe solely from non-running materials, and even bed linens and other household items will still have to be straightened after washing. Therefore, the question of how to choose the right iron is always relevant, because every year manufacturers of household appliances are releasing more and more new and more sophisticated models. Which one to give preference?
to the table of contents ↑Criteria for choosing an iron
Before you go shopping, try to define your requirements more or less clearly. Think about how long this iron should last for you - do you plan to buy a new one in the next couple of years or do you want it to work properly for at least a decade? What functions do you often use, do you need steam? Where is your ironing board, how far from the outlet? Correct answers to these questions will allow you to significantly narrow the number of models offered by helpful sellers and to quickly determine the device you need.
The main technical criteria for choosing an iron are:
- Power.
- Functionality.
- Protection level.
- Sole material.
- Ease of use.
- Durability.
Important! Before choosing an iron, it is not superfluous to get acquainted with reviews about the products of a particular manufacturer. This way you will protect yourself from buying defective, non-conforming devices with low operating parameters. And, of course, do not forget about the price of the issue, because it sometimes becomes more of a determining factor.
to the contents ↑Choice of power iron
The question of how to choose the iron is first of all decided by determining the appropriate power level for your purposes. Scatter indicators in different models to date is between 1000 and 3000 watts. To understand which iron to choose for you, consider the following rules and recommendations of specialists:
- The power range from 1000 to 1500 W will allow servicing only irregular ironing at a level suitable for road use.
- Devices with values from 1500 to 1900 W are considered the best choice for permanent home use. With their help you can smooth fabrics of any density, type.
- Apparatus from 2000 W - it's already professional appliances, which in everyday life you are unlikely to be useful. Therefore, overpay, choosing a more powerful iron, is not worth it.
What to choose the sole of the iron?
The material of the sole influences in many respects the quality and convenience of the process of smoothing clothes, linen, and also on the durability of the entire device. Therefore, the question of how to properly choose an iron by the type of sole, it is necessary to solve competently. To do this, familiarize yourself with the characteristics of each material and give preference to the best option for you.
Aluminum
Irons with aluminum base will be light enough and quickly heated. But such material has a number of drawbacks:
- on trousers and jackets after ironing are whitish stains and shiny, shiny spots;
- material quickly cracked and microcracks are created on the webs of tightening.
Important! The main advantage of aluminum soles in their low price, so if you budget is modest enough and you tend to give preference to this option, choose that iron in which the stainless steel or Teflon linings will additionally be attached.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel soleplate is a solution to the problem of how to choose the right iron for those who set such requirements for the device:
- reliability;
- strength;
- durability;
- optimum quality of sliding;
- good heating rate.
Indeed, such household appliances do not lose their relevance, despite the emergence of more interesting, modern models. Although the sole made of stainless steel causes an impressive enough weight for the whole product - this must be taken into account.
Important! Note that the stainless steel sole gets dirty very quickly, but, in principle, it is very easy to clean even with a conventional pencil. And if you take a model with sapphire spraying, then most likely it will still serve your grandchildren.
Metal Ceramics and Teflon
Metal Ceramics and Teflon are 2 modern solutions to the question of how to choose the right iron. Both these materials of the sole guarantee a sufficiently long service life and ease of use. Distinctive additional characteristics of each can also be distinguished such features:
- Teflon - has absolute non-stick properties, but does not slip very well.
- Metal ceramics - the ideal slip on the fabric, never leaves creases and unnecessary folds, it is easy and fast to clean, and dirt on it almost does not stick. A very important disadvantage is the relative fragility: even with a slight cleavage, the remaining material begins to peel off and it becomes simply impossible to use such a device.
Important! Having carefully read all the pros and cons of each material, you probably already made a conclusion for yourself how to choose the right iron in your case.
to the contents ↑How to choose an iron for functionality?
The functionality of irons is usually enhanced by the possibility of different ways of stripping. Those models that are equipped with different options are called steam generators, they often do not use the standard regular ironing function. How to choose the right steam generator or iron with steaming, we read further.
General rules for the choice of iron with steam:
- Large area for drawing holes for steam - ideally they should be on the entire sole or at least on its half, and not just on the nozzle.
- Number of holes - not less than 100, but small.
- The intensity of the steam supply is not less and not more than 30 g / min.
- Sufficient volume of the tank - it should suffice to the maximum for ironing all things for 1-2 filling. If you often use this function and you have to fill the tank with water every 5 minutes or after each thing, in the end it will cause you irritation and dissatisfaction with the chosen model. So, with the task of how to choose the iron you did not quite manage.
steam supply functions There are several different steam supply options that will provide some sort of smoothing efficiency. To properly choose an iron with this function, consider the following features of each mode:
- A turboprop or steam stroke is an enhanced steam supply at a time. This function is perfectly suited to straighten even the most rumpled and overdried things from dense fabrics - flax, jeans.
- Vertical steaming is a very convenient option for smoothing large and large items. If you choose the right steamer with vertical steaming, you will no longer have questions about how quickly to smooth curtains, outer clothing or a suit. All this is easily solved in a matter of seconds. And you can refresh with such a device soft furniture and other interior items. It is enough to just pass the desired object with a stream of steam and remove the dirt that appeared on the surface with a rag.
- Spray or spraying - in this case a purposeful, thin stream of steam is supplied by their spout or evenly sprayed on the product by water, which makes it convenient to straighten out the most difficult places.
Important! To properly choose an iron with a steam generator, do not forget to ask about the presence of a drip system. It prevents water from leaking from the reservoir if steam has not yet formed. So - on the fabric will not remain a divorce.
Safety of the iron
The correctly selected iron is the one that is safe. This indicator is determined by 2 factors:
- level of its protection against fire;
- quality of protection against scale.
Descaling
Protection against scale can be performed as:
- anti-lime rods;
- self-cleaning function;
- built-in filter to reduce water hardness.
Fire protection
Fire protection is an automatic shutdown function if the device is connected to a network but remains unattended. The trip time is as follows:
- 8 minutes - for vertical position;
- 30 seconds - for horizontal.
Important! Both these protective functions are very useful and necessary. Therefore, to really choose the right iron, do not try to save on them. With the presence of such protection, the device will cost only 10-15% more expensive.
to the contents ↑Additional selection criteria for
All of the above rules are the basic requirements that must be adhered to when buying a device that is so necessary in everyday life. But in order to be completely sure that you have chosen the right iron, take into account the additional recommendations:
Availability of a set of replaceable soles
A model of this type is an excellent option. They will allow you not to worry about the serviceability of the device and significantly reduce the risk of damage to any item in your wardrobe. To properly pat this or that thing, it will be enough just to choose the most suitable sole - and the whole process will go much easier.
Temperature tolerance of the
Many irons sin that the actual degree of heating does not correspond to the temperature. This threatens poor-quality ironing of dense materials or the formation of scorching on delicate tissues. To a greater extent, the accuracy and consistency of temperature depends on the reliability of the brand.
Popularity of the manufacturer
Among the wide range of modern brands on the market, the greatest number of positive customer testimonials and trust were won by such manufacturers as:
- Tefal;
- Bosch;
- Moulinex;
- Rowenta;
- Philips.
To be confident in the durability of the equipment, its safety and it is convenient to further iron its things, try to take into account such results of public opinion polls.
Cord length
It's unlikely that you'll want to pull out and connect several extensions from the nearest outlet to the ironing board each time. Therefore, in advance, calculate the optimal length of the cord, note that you should be comfortable to drive the sole of the device on clothes, and then the question of how to choose the iron according to this criterion will not present any difficulties for you. Standard recommendations of specialists converge on the optimum cord length from 2 meters.
Important! You can consider the option of more expensive, wireless models, but keep in mind that they literally a minute after the lack of access to power are cooling down.
Convenience of the handle
On how comfortable the handle is, depends on your comfort during the process of smoothing the laundry. Therefore, note that it should be wide enough, made of non-slip material or have rubber lining.
Important! To make sure that you choose the right iron, hold it in your hands, hold it, try to make several smoothing movements and evaluate how comfortable it is for you.
Weight of iron
Despite the conventional wisdom to choose the right iron, do not take a very light device at all. A certain feeling of heaviness in the hand must be present, otherwise - you will make more efforts when processing things, especially large ones, from dense fabrics. So - you will get tired more, and this nobody wants. Optimum weight according to experts - 1.5 kg.
Spout's spiciness
This is perhaps the last nuance that should be paid attention to when deciding how to choose the right iron. From the sharpness of the spout depends on the fact how fast, convenient and high-quality you will manage to straighten ruches, corners creases on collars, sleeves, iron places near the buttons, etc.
But, if you prefer stroking with quick, short movements, then choose a modelwith a blunt nose - this you will prevent the permanent formation of unnecessary folds and creases.
Now you know all the secrets of how to choose the right iron or steam generator. Be sure to adhere to such a sequence of selection of a set of suitable characteristics to you and then, it is likely that ironing will become one of your favorite home games!