Steam Irons

The first couple of generations of cordless irons, older models couldn't maintain heat for enough time to press a shirt, and testers had to repeatedly return the iron to its base and wait for the unit to reheat.

Almost all irons have flexible cords (if have), a spray or mist button, five or more temperature settings and at least a one-year warranty. Some models offer power cords that pivot out of the way, while others are retractable. Also, today's irons are meant to be used with ordinary tap water. With few exceptions, distilled water is no longer necessary. Expensive irons may provide more steam, and many can do tricks like steam vertical curtains and such.

They suggest ironing delicates first, using a lower temperature setting, then turning up the heat for cottons and linens. This can be helpful because leaks can sometimes occur as an iron cools down. They suggest emptying the water tank every time you finish ironing to reduce the chance of drips next time you iron. it's a good idea to empty the iron while it is still warm, so that residual heat will evaporate remaining moisture.

Steam generators are meant to bridge the gap between low-steam-capacity home irons and full-fledged, professional-use gravity-feed irons. A separate base sits underneath the iron, holding around thirty-two ounces of water. The steam boiler is connected to the iron with a rubber hose. You can steam continuously for about one and one-half hours, and you have a lot of control over the steam.

Important Features: Steam Irons

• Non-stick soleplates are easy to clean; starch buildup wipes right off.
• Variable steam automatically adjusts the amount of steam for the heat setting, ensuring that you don't get high steam on more delicate fabrics.
• Vertical steam allows you to use the iron like a steamer to remove wrinkles on hanging garments or curtains.
• Burst of steam gives you an extra steam surge, allowing you to tackle particularly nasty wrinkles.
• Auto shutoff is a must for most consumers. However, you can still find irons without this feature, since people who do a lot of sewing prefer the iron to be on all the time.
• A self-cleaning feature enables you to shoot air through the steam vents to clear mineral buildup, which prevents eventual clogging and leaks from stopped-up steam holes.
• An anti-calcium feature helps prevent mineral buildup, which can clog steam vents. Higher-end models generally have this feature, such as the Rowenta Advancer.
• Weight of the iron may not affect performance, but it can make a huge difference in how comfortable the iron is to use. Managing a heavy iron can be difficult for those with less arm/hand strength or for anyone who needs to do a lot of ironing. Try out the handle, as well, to make sure that it fits the size of your hand.