Iron Box: How to Choose the Right One for Your Home

An electric iron, also known as an iron box, is basically a household appliance used to give your garments the desired shape with no creases. The choice of an appropriate iron box would be quite overwhelming because of the large number of varieties in the market. Whether you iron rarely or daily, this article would provide knowledge about all the major features that you need while searching for the right fit of an iron box for your home.

1. Types of Iron Boxes

There are a number of iron boxes available in the market today. All of these serve a definite purpose, and your choice must depend upon your ironing needs.

a. Dry Iron

The basic form of an iron box is a dry iron. It contains a heated soleplate used in pressing clothes. Such a type is good for those who like simplicity and do not need other features like steam. Dry irons are light, easy to operate, and generally cheaper.

b. Steam Iron

A steam iron has steam vents that allow for the wrinkling of clothes to be removed much more efficiently. The steam goes into the fabric to assist in dislodging stubborn wrinkles. Steam irons are great for a wide variety of fabrics, including but not limited to: cotton, linen, and polyester.

c. Steam Generator Iron

For heavy-duty ironing, the steam generator iron is ideal. It has high-pressure steam continuously, which makes ironing faster and a lot easier. It is suitable for families with many members, as well as those who need to iron a large amount of clothes.

d. Cordless Iron

A cordless iron gives you the liberty and comfortability of movement. It lets you iron without being held back by a cord, which may interfere with your way around garments. The normal characteristic of cordless irons is to have a charging base that keeps them heated when not in use.

e. Travel Iron

With a travel iron, a mobile user gets an appliance that is compact and light in weight, which easily fits into luggage. Without most of the features that may be contained in a full-size iron, it is adequate for rapid touch-ups in the course of travel.

2. Features to Consider

Some of the main features to be considered at the time of purchasing an iron box involve the ones that make ironing somewhat hassle-free and efficient.

a. Soleplate Material

It is the flattest area of the iron with which it touches your clothes. The material used for making the soleplate makes quite a lot of difference in the performance of the iron.

Stainless Steel: These are durable, smooth, and thus allow the iron to slip over fabrics without much problem; resistant to scratches.
Ceramic: These soleplates distribute heat evenly and prevent fabric sticking to the iron.
Non-Stick: Non-stick soleplates do an excellent job of preventing scorching of fabrics and for sticking, most especially when working on delicate materials.
Aluminum: Light weight soleplates; these scratch easily and don’t glide as smoothly as other materials

b. Wattage

The temperature the iron can achieve is dictated by the wattage level. The higher watt irons heat up quicker, and the heat is more consistent, therefore allowing ironing more efficiently. For most users, their needs will fall between 1200 to 2200 watts, based on the performance level desired.

c. Steam Output

The steam output of an iron is very important for effectively removing wrinkles. Irons with higher steam output can go through thicker fabrics, making their ironing easier. Go for an iron that has variable steam settings so you can adjust the steam setting according to the type of fabric that you are going to iron.

d. Water Tank Capacity

Another main consideration, especially for the steam irons and steam generator irons, is the size of the water tank. A bigger water tank means fewer refills, saving your precious time in case of extended ironing sessions. The tank capacity of 200 to 400 ml would be good enough for any household.

e. Temperature Control

A temperature control feature allows for a variation in the amount of heat applied depending on the type of fabric that one is working on. Lighter fabrics such as silk and satin require lesser heat application while heavier ones such as denim and linen require higher heat. Some of these irons automatically change their temperatures when a certain type of fabric is placed on the ironing surface.

f. Weight

Iron weight can make a difference in the comfort of ironing. While an iron with light weight is easier to maneuver and less tiring to use, a heavier one presses wrinkles more easily, especially on thick fabrics.

g. Anti-Drip and Anti-Calc Features

Another important feature is anti-drip, meaning no leakage from water to your clothes at a lower temperature, which is very helpful if one is dealing with very delicate fabrics. The anti-calc feature is relevant to inhibit the deposits of minerals in the water tank such that one’s iron may last longer.

3. How to Properly Maintain Your Iron Box

Proper maintenance of your iron box will not only ensure a longer life span but will also enhance the performance of your iron box. Following are some ways you can make sure your iron is always at its best.

a. Cleaning the Soleplate

After continuous use, residues from fabrics or starch may build up on the soleplate and reduce its efficiency. To clean the soleplate, you need a damp cloth and mild detergent or an iron cleaner.

b. Descale the Water Tank

This means that if you are using tap water in your steam iron, there is a tendency that mineral deposits can build up inside the water tank. To avoid this problem a mixture of water and vinegar can be used to clean the tank regularly. There are some irons with a self-cleaning feature to make this process easier.

c. Proper Storage of Your Iron

Always store your iron upright in order not to warp the soleplate. Before storing it, ensure the iron is totally cold.

4. Safety Features

With the issue of safety, one must be keen when purchasing an iron box. Most irons have features installed in them that promise to prevent accidents.

a. Auto Shut-Off

An auto shut-off feature automatically turns the iron off at an instance when it has been kept idle for a certain period of time. It saves not only accidents but energy as well.

b. Heat-Resistant Resting Plate

A resting plate heat-resistant allows you to rest the iron on its base while you adjust clothes or take a break.
Look for an iron with a swivel cord to reduce tangling and facilitate easier handling.

5. Budget Consideration

Iron boxes range in price all over the spectrum, depending on the feature and variety. You can get a simple dry iron as low as $20, whereas an advanced model of steam generator irons may cost up to $200 or even higher. Also, keeping this fact in mind, consider your budget. You should also think about how often you use an iron and what type of fabrics you would normally work with. Spending a little more money on a better quality iron will save you in time and labor in the long run.

6. Best Brands of Irons

A number of reliable brands avail high-quality iron boxes with added features depending on one’s needs. Top Brands include:

• Philips
• Tefal
• Rowenta
• Black+Decker
• Panasonic

Each of the above brands provides a line of irons between simple models and highly developed steam generator irons so that you could get the exact model which suits your needs.

Conclusion

It means that the quality and nice clothes will depend on what iron box you choose. You will get your perfect iron by considering type, features, and budget. Whether you prefer a simple dry iron or a high-performance steam generator iron, your perfect choice will make the ironing tasks easier.