Electric irons are functional appliances that can easily smooth even difficult fabrics. The iron has a long history. At first, people ironed clothes using pans filled with hot coals, or simply pressed them with flat stones. There were many methods, as people wanted to look clean and have well-ironed clothes. It was only in 1882 that inventor Henry Seely invented and patented an electric iron powered by electricity. The invention was put into practical use only in 1903. Tailors liked the invention, and the development of the iron began. Today, irons are highly advanced and even smart. Let us find out about the capabilities, features, and importance of modern irons. You can also explore irons in the “Household Items” section of the Varpet app.
Ironing clothes requires special attention because every fabric requires specific care, and every type of iron has its own method of use. Therefore, when choosing an iron, you should determine which type of appliance is most suitable for you in every respect.
Classic Irons
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Stream Irons
This is perhaps the most common type. It is used in almost every home, for both damp and dry ironing. Unlike other types of irons, steam iron models have a wide range of functions. The appliance has a built-in water tank.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Steam Generators
These appliances are divided into two groups. With a built-in steam generator. In this design, the steam supply system has a more complex structure than that of conventional steam irons, which significantly increases the cost of the appliance. Such appliances are considered professional. They can smooth even extremely wrinkled and coarse fabrics. Professional irons with separate steam generators. They can quickly smooth wrinkles from any type of fabric.
Travel Irons
The main criteria for choosing a travel iron are:
Each person chooses an iron according to their needs, financial capabilities, as well as the technical and operational characteristics of the product.
Power
This parameter determines the heating speed and the degree of fabric unevenness that the appliance can smooth. The power should be selected depending on the amount of time required for ironing the fabric.
A power rating of up to 1000 watts can be considered suitable for a travel iron. They cannot iron heavy fabrics, but they are convenient for travel, have a compact size, and quickly smooth lightweight fabrics.
A power rating of 1–1.5 kilowatts is sufficient for irons intended for a small family of two people. They take longer to heat up but can smooth any type of fabric.
For a family of 3–4 people, appliances with a power rating of 1.5–2 kilowatts are suitable. They heat up quickly and can smooth both heavy clothing and wrinkled linen without much effort.
If you often have to iron a large amount of laundry, it is better to buy an appliance with a power rating of at least 2 kilowatts.
The main element of this household appliance is the soleplate, which can be distinguished according to the following criteria:
Material
During ironing, the soleplate comes into contact with the fabric, so the material used to manufacture it plays an important role.
Titanium
Applying titanium powder to a metal soleplate is a modern technical solution that helps increase the durability of the product and, consequently, its service life. Titanium makes ironing easi
The disadvantages of these appliances are the long time required for the soleplate to heat up and cool down, as well as the high cost of the product.
Stainless Steel
This is a high-quality and relatively inexpensive material for making an iron soleplate. It is practically resistant to deformation and is durable, which increases its service life. A stainless-steel soleplate glides easily over linen, so it is often used for quick ironing. It does not require much maintenance; simply wipe it with a damp cloth.
Teflon
A Teflon soleplate can serve for a long time and is good at smoothing delicate fabrics while preventing accidental damage. However, this type of coating must be handled very carefully because contact with metal can quickly damage the surface of the soleplate.
Ceramic and Metal-Ceramic
These soleplates are now widely used. This material glides well over linen, heats up quickly, and does not damage delicate fabrics. Even a slight deviation from the heating setting will not damage the fabric. As a disadvantage, it should be noted that ceramic is not a very durable material. It can be quickly damaged if it comes into contact with clothing containing metal elements.
Aluminum
Irons with aluminum soleplates are considered budget models because their cost is lower compared with those made from other materials. Aluminum reduces the weight of the appliance, is easy to clean, and heats up quickly. The disadvantages of aluminum soleplates are as follows: low durability; they can be easily damaged by zippers, metal parts of clothing, or accidental impacts with hard objects. A damaged surface can ruin the fabric. They are not suitable for ironing delicate fabrics. If you do not follow the appropriate heating setting for the type of fabric, the clothing may be damaged by melting.
Ironing temperature is an important factor, and maintaining the correct temperature will ensure a garment's long service life and excellent appearance. It allows you to iron your clothes without damaging them. The ironing temperature is determined according to the type of fabric.
Understanding the Symbols on Labels
Every item of clothing has a special label that indicates how it should be cared for. These include recommendations for washing, drying, and ironing. The most important thing is to be able to understand these symbols.
Figure 1. Meaning of Ironing Symbols
1.Allows ironing without any special restrictions. 2.Ironing is allowed at high temperatures of up to 200°C. Suitable for linen and cotton. 3.The maximum temperature is 140°C. Suitable for polyester and polyacrylonitrile fabrics. 4.Temperatures of up to 150°C are allowed. Used for viscose, wool, polyester, and silk. 5.Intended for ironing at a temperature no higher than 110°C. Suitable for acetate, polyamide, nylon, and viscose. 6.Ironing and steam smoothing are prohibited. 7.Steam treatment is prohibited.
Linen clothing is breathable and has good heat-transfer properties. With proper care, it maintains its quality for a long time. Special care is required to preserve the original appearance of linen items.
How to iron linen correctly. The soleplate temperature should be 180–200°C. Iron on the reverse side. Make sure the garment is damp. It is better to iron linen immediately after washing. Steam ironing is allowed. Natural linen requires high temperature and moisture when ironing. It should be remembered that this fabric wrinkles easily, so achieving a perfectly smooth result can be quite difficult.
If the material contains fibers of other materials, such as cotton, the temperature should not be set above 180°C. Special attention should be paid to the presence of decorative elements. Embroidery and patterns should be ironed exclusively from the inside and only through a thin cloth. Direct contact with the soleplate is not allowed. Very thick garments should be ironed on both sides, but through a thin cloth. For starched items, the temperature should be reduced by approximately 10–20°C from the maximum.
Cotton Clothing made from this material is extremely popular. Cotton is a fairly dense fabric that absorbs moisture well and is highly breathable. It is used to make bed linen, dresses, T-shirts, and many other items. To iron cotton, follow these recommendations: The ironing temperature for cotton is 170–180°C. Do not dry it completely. Iron while damp or moisten it beforehand.
Natural cotton is relatively difficult to iron. If the garment contains polyester, the temperature should be reduced to 110°C. Items without prints or embroidery can be ironed from the outside. If there are decorative elements or dyes, the garment should be ironed from the inside.
Silk Silk is a delicate material that requires careful handling. It dries quickly and has a delicate texture. The fabric is very sensitive to external influences, so it is important to know the basic rules for ironing silk. Rules: The ironing temperature for silk is 60–80°C. The use of steam is prohibited. Place a thin cloth over the silk and then iron it. In this case, the temperature may be increased by 10–20°C. The direction of movement should be vertical. Otherwise, the fabric may stretch.
How to iron a silk dress or a shirt with a complex cut. Hang the garment on a hanger. Cover it with a thin, slightly damp cloth. Heat the appliance to the temperature indicated on the label. Using vertical movements, slowly release steam from a distance of 4–7 cm from the dress. The same rules should be followed when working with chiffon and polyester.
Wool A soft, natural material that is sensitive to high temperatures. To iron it safely, follow these rules: The ironing temperature for woolen fabric is 100–120°C. Iron from the inside. Use additional moisture in the form of a cotton cloth. Woolen items are very delicate and do not always tolerate ironing well. Carefully read the labels. You can replace ironing with vertical steam treatment.
Viscose
To avoid damaging clothing made from this material, follow these recommendations: The maximum temperature is 120°C. Do not wet the fabric, otherwise stains may remain. Iron only from the inside. Use a damp cotton cloth.
Chintz
It is a lightweight, thin, breathable fabric. For effective ironing, follow the rules below: Set the ironing temperature to no higher than 170°C. Moisten the fabric additionally.
After choosing an iron model, all that remains is to use the appliance according to the rules:
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