Let's be honest - you hate ironing. If you ask everyone you know if they enjoy ironing, they will all say no. But with the perfect steam iron, do you think you would grow to enjoy ironing? The answer is probably still no!
On the upside, with the best steam iron in South Africa, this tedious job will be done much quicker. So how do you know you have the right iron for the job?
That's where we come in.
We have answered some of the top questions about handheld steam irons to help make sure you are not slaving away for extra hours. Keep reading if you want to get the ironing done so you can drink coffee and binge-watch Netflix!
1. What Is a Steam Iron? Features and Buying Guide
An iron may seem like one of the simplest household appliances. After all, iron is an iron, right? Surprisingly, this is not the case at all.
There are several things that you should look out for when buying a new iron:
The higher the steam pressure the more effective the iron
The steam shot feature helps remove stubborn creases
The bigger the tank capacity the more ironing you can do before you need to refill
Anti-scale and anti-calcium features
The higher the wattage the faster the heat-up time
Auto switch-off features avoid accidentally burning clothes
Cord length
Modern irons such as the Beko 2400W Dragon Steam Iron have features like shock steam and vertical steam. You can use these for more powerful steaming meaning quicker results on stubborn laundry items.
2. Steam Iron vs Dry Iron?
You may not know that there are any differences between a steam iron and a dry iron. You may not have been aware that there was more than one option when it comes to irons at all. Here are some important basics you need to know when comparing these two appliances.
Steam Irons
Steam irons need to produce steam as their name suggests, so they have a built-in water tank. By generating the right amount of steam, ironing can be done more efficiently and effectively.
Steam irons are a better choice for those who iron frequently because they are more versatile when it comes to managing different fabrics
A fun fact about steam irons is that they can double up as dry irons if you do not use the steam function. Dry irons however cannot return the favour.
Dry Irons
Dry irons do not use steam, so they have the benefit of never leaking or “spitting” on your clothing while you are ironing. If dripping irons drive you up the wall, then a dry iron is the way to go.
Dry irons are easier to clean and you have no risk of marking your fabric with a steam hole design. In addition, they are less expensive and hardwearing.
3. Should I Buy a Fabric Steamer or a Clothes Iron?
This is a question answered largely by how much ironing your household generates. Steam cleaners or steam generator irons are the perfect answer to larger items of clothing and bedding, whereas steam iron is a more compact solution.
Steam Generator
Steam generators have separate water tanks, allowing them to release steam at higher pressures, meaning only one side needs to be ironed. They are larger and bulkier though, so storage may be an issue.
Steam Iron
Steam irons have built-in water tanks, and different models offer different features such as steam shot, shock steam or vertical steam. Self-cleaning is often a standard feature, and they are cheaper than their larger counterparts.
Garment Steamer
Your third option is to go with a garment steamer. This neat appliance allows you to freshen up an outfit without even needing an ironing board. There are two choices when it comes to garment steamer - handheld for travelling or smaller crease removal or upright for the bigger jobs.
4. How Hot Does a 1200W Iron Get?
The idea behind ironing is to remove wrinkles with heat. For this to be done, your iron will reach around 220 degrees C / 356 - 428 degrees F.
If you have ever touched your iron by accident, you know exactly how hot this little appliance needs to get to do its job properly. Irons also have various heat settings depending on what fabric you are using them on but even on the coolest settings, they reach 140 / 290 degrees.
5. How Much Electricity Does an Iron Use?
With the price of everything on the rise, a key question when buying any appliance is how much electricity does it use? Steam iron or flatiron uses roughly between 800 - 2000 watts per day.
So for example, if you turn your iron on for 10min every day for a month, it will use around 5 kWh of electricity. You can calculate the exact amount your model is using, but it is one of the highest electricity users out of all your appliances. Yes, we see you jumping up and down and getting excited thinking you can save power by not doing any ironing at all!
6. Can You Iron Silk?
You may have always heard that this is a big no-no when it comes to ironing. But ironing silk can be done safely if you follow some simple steps.
Prep the silk by making sure that it is slightly damp before ironing
Always use the lowest heat setting on the iron - many have an actual silk setting
Use a press cloth - silk benefits from limited back and forth ironing and more pressing
Don't remove the item from the ironing board until it is completely cool or it may wrinkle again
Ironing silk on the wrong side may also be beneficial when it comes to avoiding damaging this delicate fabric.
7. How to Iron Cotton?
Cotton is the opposite of silk when it comes to ironing. Because it is a fabric that holds wrinkles with determination, the highest heat setting is required when trying to remove them.
Again keep the fabric slightly damp while ironing - you can use a spray bottle for this if you need to. The more continuous the steam, the easier the fibres will loosen and get rid of the stubborn creases.
8. How to Clean a Teflon Iron?
One of the most popular irons on the market, it is a good idea to know how to clean a Teflon iron. While the coating prevents debris from sticking to the iron, Teflon irons can still stain.
Luckily cleaning teflon irons is easy.
The easiest solution is to mix a mild detergent such as dishwashing liquid with water. Wipe the soleplate with your solution and a cloth or rag. You can use an earbud in the grooves or holes of the iron to make sure they are clean.
Once clean, wipe down the soleplate with a clean dry cloth. You may need to repeat this exercise a few times to completely clean the iron and remove the soap residue.
If any stubborn stains remain on the soleplate, wet some paper towel with vinegar and lay the iron facedown on it. Repeat the process with baking soda, and then wipe the iron clean. This should do the job.
Steam Irons for the Win
A handheld steam iron is a versatile appliance that can make a tedious task easier. Although you won't love ironing, you will no longer dread it, so that is a plus.
Find out more about the best irons for your job by contacting Beko today. Our team will happily talk you through any other questions you may have.
