The sole of the iron steamglide - what is it?

One of the most important criteria for choosing an iron is its sole. A modern range of ironing appliances meets consumers with unfamiliar names. Eloxal, Saphir, steam iron sole - what is it? In this article you will find useful information about the types of ironing surfaces of the iron and you can easily choose a new device that suits your requirements.

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A bit of history

A century ago the mistresses successfully coped with ironing with a heavy iron iron, which was heated on coals. This device was constantly improved in the course of technical progress, its soles were first made from aluminum, and a little later - from stainless steel. To date, many types of products from a wide variety of materials already surprise no one. The consumer can choose both the usual aluminum, and innovative titanium. What is better and how is the sole of the iron steamglide from its earlier counterparts? Is it worth it to trust novelties or to choose your choice on the material checked out for years?

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What does the soleplate of the iron affect?

• On the type of the surface of the ironing device, the quality of the device will smooth the fabric to a large extent.
• The material of the ironing surface of the unit affects the ease of sliding, the probability of sticking the iron to the fabric and leaving glossy tracks on it.
• On the type of ironing surface depends largely on the life of the most household appliances, because the damaged coating leads to the device unusable.

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What is the ironing surface?

With what coating to choose the device, that it was practical and served longer?

Ceramics

It should be understood immediately that the sole is not made entirely of ceramic, but only covered with ceramic enamel. It can be made of steel or aluminum.

Ceramics has a number of advantages, so small household appliances for ironing with ceramic coating has taken a firm place in the rating of popular home appliances:

• The iron quickly heats up and remains warm for a long time.
• Excellent glides on fabrics of any type, whether it's lightweight fabric or dense.
• The material is easy to clean.

Important! A significant disadvantage of this sole is the fragility of the material. With these devices you need to handle carefully, protect them from bumps and falls, otherwise - the ceramic can split or crack.

Teflon

This material is often used in the manufacture of kitchen utensils and household appliances. Therefore, a large number of women, without hesitation, buy irons with such a coating, as they have heard and to some extent are familiar with it.

What are they characterized by?- The most important properties are as follows:

• The material does not stick to the clothes, does not leave any damage to the fabric during ironing.
• Compared with other analogs, gliding on the Teflon fabric is not as easy as we would like, although it is definitely better than cast iron and aluminum.
• There may be scratches from the decorative elements on the clothes on the ironing surface.
• Teflon coating after some time of regular use of the unit is erased.

Stainless steel

Irons with a sole made of stainless steel have been in great demand for a long time. There are several reasons for this:

• The cost of the material is inexpensive, so the devices have an acceptable price.
• Stainless steel resistant to mechanical damage, resistant to rust.
• Easily slides on any fabric, thanks to various special sputtering.

Aluminum

This material is no less popular than stainless steel. It began to be used for a long time for this purpose, replacing cast iron:

• Aluminum is light and smooth, which allows the iron to quickly slide over the surface of the fabric.
• Since the metal is very soft, scratches and bruises on the surface appear quickly enough.

Important! To eliminate this effect, manufacturers have stopped using pure aluminum, replacing it with innovative alloys that retain the advantages of metal and neutralize its shortcomings. A similar innovation was the sole steamglide, Saphir and Eloxal. On the first type of surface we will dwell in more detail.

Sole steamglide what is it?

Such ironing surface in the iron was first proposed by the famous Dutch manufacturer "Phillips".Its main advantage is high wear resistance, resistance to scratching and ease of sliding on the fabric.

What is the secret of such characteristics of the soleplate steam iron?

• A great role is played by covering the sole, the main material of which is cermet or glass-ceramics( depending on the model of the device).
• Unique properties have the profile of the sole. Its entire surface has densely set holes of various diameters, which provides an incredibly easy glide over the surface of the fabric by creating a kind of "steam cushion".
• The iron does not touch the fabric, passing, in fact, a few fractions of a millimeter from it. Due to the intensive steam supply, the fabric, even in the most stubborn areas, is quickly smoothed and steamed.

Important! An improved version of the steamglide sole is the soleplate of the iron steamglide plus.

What are its advantages over a seemingly perfect ironing surface?

Steamglide plus - what is it?

This surface has all the properties of the soles of steamglide. Plus, these devices combine the tension zone of the fabric during ironing and sliding. The improved version of the sole of the iron, thanks to the even distribution of steam, allows ironing many times faster.

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Result of

Knowing the basic types of surfaces of the ironing device, you can choose the model that will be useful for you:

• If ironing is done only for acute need and very rarely, then do not spend money on the latest models andoverpay for innovation. In this case, a regular steam iron with a stainless sole will be an excellent option.
• If you carry out ironing on a daily basis, then the technique for this should be not only high-quality, but also as convenient and functional as possible and quickly perform its work. Then we recommend to pay attention to the models of the manufacturer "Phillips" with the soleplate steamglide or steamglide plus. This purchase does not disappoint you.