Does anyone iron anymore? With the advent of minimal care fabrics and spray-on preparations that take wrinkles out, do people still iron? The answer is yes. Brides even still register for irons. Most modern irons include a steam feature, to make ironing out tough wrinkles easier. What should a person look for when buying a new steam iron? How much will it cost?
Irons are basically the same, the world over. They consist of a handle, a heating element, a metal "soleplate," and temperature controls. The soleplate is what comes in contact with the clothes, so it's composition is vital. The first electric irons had steel soleplates. Nice, but they tended to burn synthetic materials because they got stuck and melted the fibers. The next generation had the same kind of nonstick coating as cookware. This allowed the iron to heat more evenly, and to glide easily over the fabric. The newest high-tech irons have a silicone coating that is more durable than its predecessors and conducts heat evenly. Most people find the silicone coating to be an extremely desirable feature.
Something else people like in irons is precise temperature control. Some irons just have a dial with various kinds of fabrics on it, and the person ironing sets the temperature accordingly. Some irons have an LCD readout that tells them exactly how hot the iron is, and the recommended temperature for a particular fabric.
Steam irons have holes in the soleplate and at the top that release steam into the fabric. Some models have a "vertical" steam feature that will even steam curtains as they hang on the windows! Certainly puts a new light on hanging that silk dress in the bathroom while you take a shower, hoping the wrinkles will fall out of it!
Most bells and whistles involving the steam feature on a iron involve how hot the iron gets before steam is formed, where the steam comes out of the iron, and what it is supposed to do. Most people will probably be satsified with a standard steam iron. Those who iron silk blends a great deal, or other delicate fabrics may want something that is more easily controlled than the standard steam iron.
Weight is another important issue. Many people love the way a heavier iron seems to press out wrinkles, but have a hard time adjusting to the extra weight, or perhaps have weak wrists or carpal tunnel syndrome. Or, the person may prefer a lighter iron, just on general principles. This is simply up to the buyer's personal preferences.
Some irons also have automatic shut-off features, which is great for those folks who routinely leave the house, get halfway to work and think, "Did I turn the iron off?" An automatic shut-off switch relieves that anxiety. The iron cuts itself off before it has the opportunity to overheat and catch fire. Some irons also have a feature that turns off the iron if the appliance is dropped or left in a horizontal position for too long.
Irons can be purchased at almost any discount store, appliance store and even fabric stores. They come in a range of prices, from, say, $15 for the most basic, bare-bones model, to over $100 for the top-of-the-line "cadillac." Most people will spend between $25 and $40 for an iron they like. As with any other appliance, the shopper needs to balance features and price. It doesn't do any good for the shopper to purchase an iron that has features that will go unused. Shoppers, buy what you will use and you will get the best deal for your money.
