How to choose a steam iron
Steam irons are very popular among consumers. They offer quick and easy ironing at an affordable price.
Frequently asked questions when choosing an iron
What are the main advantages of steam ironing?
Steam ironing makes the ironing process considerably easier. Steam makes the laundry pliable, so you get better results in half the time. Additionally, steam irons are gentler with the more delicate materials. On the downside, steam irons require more care and maintenance compared to dry irons, especially when it comes to descaling.
Why is it good to have an iron with a descaling system?
This feature solves the limescale build-up issue in irons. With this feature, you no longer have to fill the tank with distilled water as recommended by the manufacturers. If your water is particularly hard (has very high mineral content), you should fill the water tank with distilled water and tap water in a 1:1 ratio. Descaling can be either chemical (water softening and mechanical (removal of limescale residue). After pressing the calc release button, the impurities are then flushed out through the holes in the soleplate.
What is Anti-Drip?
The anti-drip feature is designed to prevent water leakage from the soleplate when you steam at lower temperatures. It stops steam generation, preventing the iron from leaking water from the soleplate.
Steam irons
Important Parameters
Steam output
Steam output indicates how much steam is generated per minute. Usually ranges between 0-40 g. Steam irons can also have a one-time steam output increase, i.e. steam burst (ideally 200 g/min or more).
Soleplate material
The soleplate material affects not only how well the iron glides, but also its scratch resistance. A damaged soleplate surface burns, which reduces its gliding properties and destroys textile fibres.
Aluminium and stainless steel are regarded as low-resistance materials. Conversely, ceramic and sapphire are highly resistant. Some manufacturers give their highly resistant surfaces their own brand names (e.g.: SteamGlide by Philips or Ultragliss Diffusion by Tefal).
Cord length
Although it may seem like a trivial detail, the cord length should not be overlooked. It determines the reach of the iron, so a short cord can seriously hamper your ironing. Most modern irons have a cord length ranging from 2 to 2.5 meters, which is enough for most households.
Glossary - irons
Anti-Drip / Drip Stop
An anti-drip (also called drip stop) feature is designed to prevent leaks when you steam at lower temperatures. It stops steam generation, preventing the iron from leaking water from the soleplate.
Vertical Steam
This feature allows you to iron your clothes in a vertical position. Vertical steam is particularly useful when ironing curtains, drapes, shirts and other clothes made of fine materials that could be damaged by the contact with the ironing surface.
Anti-Calc / Calc Clean
Anti-calc or a descaling system solves the issue of limescale build-up in irons. With this feature, you no longer have to fill the tank with distilled water as recommended by the manufacturers. If your water is particularly hard (has very high mineral content), you should fill the water tank with distilled water and tap water in a 1:1 ratio.
Descaling can be either chemical (water softening) or mechanical (limescale residue removal). After pressing the calc release button, the impurities are then flushed out through the holes in the soleplate.
Glossary
Wattage
Generally speaking, the higher the wattage, the faster the iron heats up and starts generating steam. A steam iron should have a minimum wattage of 1400 W. Ideally, however, its wattage should be between 2000 and 2800 W.