What Types Of Irons Are There?

We all want our clothes to look clean and wrinkle-free. According to a conference on creating a professional image when applying for jobs, published by the University of Rioja, 93% of first impressions are based on appearance. A helping hand for this mission is one of the many different types of irons you can get.

Today, this tool is common in many homes. Although traditional, it has evolved over the years. Irons are no longer carbon-heated irons that we can press our pants with. It is now much more varied.

Let’s take a closer look at it.

Types of irons

Since it is a tool that many people use, there are a wealth of deals on types of irons. There is nothing wrong with buying an economical model if that is what you want as a basis, but it is best to take a closer look at the features and performance so that your investment is worth it all.

Below we discuss the types of irons you can find in the market.

Basic steam iron

These irons are easy, economical and perhaps the most popular. Specialists have made them smooth synthetic textures, cotton and jeans with ease. Just turn it on and set it, and you’re off.

Some have a water tank to steam the clothes you iron to remove wrinkles faster. Others emit steam from the bottom with the same intention of smoothing even the most resistant materials.

They do not take long to heat up, they can handle average amounts of clothes, and since they are usually not that big, you can easily store them away in any part of your home. Advantageous? They often have an automatic shut-off button that they use if the temperature is too high, which is a good safety precaution.

2. Vertical iron

As the name suggests, this type of iron is vertical. However, this does not mean that you can not use it horizontally.

People use this type exclusively for things that they store on hangers, e.g. curtains, shirts or dresses; as long as they are not made of very hardy substances.

Within the range of this type of iron, you will find some with a base and a rod that you can use to hang clothes on. They work with steam.

Types of irons for travel

The special thing about these is their size: they are smaller than the traditional types, so you can easily pack them. They are best for a small amount of clothes that you want to iron while on vacation.

If you are one of those people who travels from one city to another or is out of the country often, do not forget your travel iron to ensure that your clothes are always presentable. The manufacturers have created it with double voltage to take into account differences in sockets between the different countries.

4. Ironing board

This one has an independent tank. This gives it a greater capacity to produce steam, which shortens the time it needs as a result.

These work with much greater ease than the electric ones. Although they are usually only used professionally, you can also use them at home because of their speed and good results.

The performance of these irons is best suited for large quantities of clothing. However, if there is one thing to criticize them for, it is that they take up a lot of space and are more expensive than the more traditional types.

5. Wireless types of irons

These are a response to the technological advancement in the home. They do not require a cable to operate. They come with a rechargeable base and you can use them after a few minutes.

What should you consider when choosing between the different types of irons?

The most important thing when choosing a kind of iron is to keep in mind the amount of clothes you need to iron with it and how often you want to do it. If you know the features that we explained above, the decision will be much easier.

Electricity consumption and electricity

No one wants to increase their electricity bill, and irons are typically items that require a lot of power. Before paying for this household appliance, be sure to check how much energy it uses.

In general, the power of an iron varies between 800 and 220 watts or between 2400 and 3200 watts, and sometimes more if it is a complex model. If we are talking about an ironing center, the energy consumption is higher as it can heat up in less than 2 minutes.

Water depot

Ask the seller about the capacity of the boiler; the bigger it is, the less often you have to fill it up.

Another notable aspect about the water in the iron is whether the model allows you to fill it up from the tap. Some irons have an anti-lime function, but we recommend that you mix distilled water with the tap water if you are in an area with a lot of lime water in it.

Cable length

The longer, the better, because then you do not have to work next to an electrical outlet! If the cable measures between 2 and 2.7 meters and you can turn it, you will be able to iron with comfort and freedom.

Heat regulator

Temperature control in irons can be many steps or just one. This factor is important for the task.

Anti-drip function

For more delicate materials, such as underwear, the temperature of the iron must be low so that it does not have time to create steam and subsequently drip and stain things.

How can you prevent this? Yes, with an anti-drip function. They are more expensive, but they help take care of your clothes.

Steam function

Even the simplest irons have a steam function, so your clothes stay soft. You can set it so that the steam is continuous or sporadic for more defined wrinkles.

A note on descaling

Lime can accumulate in the deposits on these tools, which can block the steam outlets. Fortunately, some irons let you know when to descale them. When a light flashes, you know it’s time to clean the filter.

Type of soleplate

There are three types of soles and they vary in their ability to conduct heat. The best materials are the following:

• Aluminum: This is light, but gets easily scratched, and they do not slide so easily onto fabrics. This type of iron heats up and cools down quickly.
• Stainless steel: This is more resistant, but also heavier. Although these irons are better heat conductors, they take longer to cool down.
• Ceramic coating: This can be made of aluminum, steel or a mixture. These irons are excellent heat conductors and dissipate heat on all clothes. The downside here is that they are fragile and wear easily.

Weight

You need to carry the weight of your iron in your hand and it is more comfortable if it weighs less because it means less effort. Alternatively, heavier irons are better when ironing thicker materials such as curtains, duvet covers or pajamas.

In general, irons weigh between 1.3 and 1.5 kg. This is of course different for the ironing centers, as the water depot for these is not integrated in the iron itself.

Easy handling

Make sure your chosen product has an ergonomic handle – comfortable and easy to handle. Irons made of rubber prevent your hand from slipping when you spend a lot of time ironing and get sweaty.

Some types of irons turn off automatically

There are basic rules for handling objects that work with electricity. To avoid any risk of accidents that may involve or injure children, it is best to purchase an iron that turns off automatically.

By this we mean in simple terms that if you pause for a moment, the iron turns off for a few minutes and later restarts its connection again. That way you avoid burns and fires and you save energy.

Take advantage of the different types of irons available

With the different types of irons, different features and characteristics, it is easy to conclude that in order to choose the best iron, it is important to pay attention to the following points:

• The amount of clothes and how often you iron.
• The anti-limescale function and that it switches off automatically if you are easily distracted.
• Travel irons can be an extra tool for your home.
• Make sure it does not drip to protect your delicate clothing from stains.

Remember to clean your iron so that it is always in good condition. It is worth considering how often you use it when you need to spend money. If you invest in a good iron, it will definitely last for many years.