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Ironing question

Scarlet

Veteran

I know there are some really enthusiastic ironers here. I hope you can help me. My MIL takes ironing extremely seriously. The last time she visited she told me I need to do myself a favor and buy a better iron. She said that some glide over the fabric much better, and that the one I have is cheap and crappy. (I don't think she used those exact words.) My iron is a Rowenta (good brand, I believe) but purchased from the supermarket as a special offer, so yes, probably not top of the line. The thing is, maybe I have only ever used sub-par irons, but they all seem pretty much the same to me. As long as I can adjust the steam setting and the heat, I am happy. Is there a big secret to irons that I am missing out on? Do you have a favorite iron? If I bought a more expensive one would this really make the ironing go better?

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20 replies

Latest reply was from

Jjsloane

Veteran

My secret to ironing is to let DH do it all. Really he likes it and I hate it. I do a lot of ironing when I quilt (which has not been recently) and do notice a marked difference in a $24 iron vs an $80 iron (I know there are even pricier ones). We have a Rowenta, but a pricier model from Bed Bath and Beyond (using 20% coupon). I think the key is the material of the plate and the amount of holes. It has lasted 6 years so far of daily use and glides easily over fabric and I don't have to repeat ironing the same spot so I think that's better than some prior ones I've had.

Debora

Veteran

Scarlet, I have a Rowenta, too. I did the same as Jeanne and purchased mine from Bed, Bath and Beyond with a coupon. I think mine is probably a mid-range model and seems to do a decent job. If you are happy with the brand, perhaps think about upgrading to a better model.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I have a Rowenta and pop it on steam.

Amy

(website)

Veteran

I suspect I have the same iron as JJSloane. I like it well enough, but have found you have to be very careful with the heat settings. It gets much hotter than the lower quality irons and can scorch or melt some fabrics. It also leaks occasionally and spits water.

Can you ask your mother-in-law what iron she recommends? I'd be interested to hear what an iron connoisseur would have to say.

christieanne

Veteran

I will be a dissenter on the Rowenta (it has a good reputation and I used to sell them years ago but noticed that leaking thing Amy mentioned).
My favorite (repurchased even) is the Black and Decker Classic. The weight of the iron makes a difference to me so you can really get a "press" going in combo with the steam. I have only found online or at ACE hardware stores but under $50. I looked for a heavy iron (cheaper models are too light) and good amount of holes spread over the surface for the steam. Variety of temp settings.

I don't mind ironing but certainly am not a connoisseur!

Scarlet

Veteran

That makes sense about the number of holes. I never thought of that. And I suppose a good quality plate should really glide over the fabric, and I could see where that would be a materials/craftsmanship issue. I have noticed that leaky or violent steam thing with my mom's Rowenta. Interesting that you mention that, Christieanne. I get what you are saying about the weight, but some irons are so heavy that I find them awkward to handle.

Amy, we will visit her soon, so I will examine the iron in detail and report back in She also has two mangles of different sizes. She likes a good press.

Elly

Veteran

Ok, here is my deal. I agree that an iron that starts off with a nice weight and a smooth, high quality plate that doesn't leak (check for online reviews) that has good steam dispersion is important.

Iron maintenance is extremely important.

It is really important to use a press cloth between any clothes that are treated with something that could create a film on your iron or be prepared to iron a damp clean towel between uses to get any residue off (fabric softener can create a sheen on clothes that you wouldn't want one on, like stiff shirts, or anything you press or touch up like slacks or suiting). Don't use your good iron for projects like fusible web, ironing wax or crayon, ect.

Be careful and try to avoid ironing over metal bits or pins, as they can scratch and damage the iron (buttons, zippers, sewing pins).

Also, never put your tap water into your iron if you have water with minerals. You should actually use distilled water for this. Staining and leaking and snagging can actually be caused by the mineral deposits or mineral corrosion within an iron.

Having a good surface to press on that is both taught and well-padded makes pressing creases into things inadvertently harder to do.

MsMary

Veteran

I have given up on ironing and gone over to a steamer. It doesn't do everything an iron can do (I still send things to the cleaners if they need a real crisp press) but at least I actually use it, which is more than I can say for my (Rowenta, I hate it and it leaks) iron.

Scarlet

Veteran

Elly, iron maintenance is a good point. I do use distilled water because ours is very hard (just ask my hair).
MaryK, you are reminding me that I am always fantasizing about having a steamer. I wonder if I could find a storage spot for one.

ironkurtin

Veteran

I have a hand steamer and it works pretty well.

I basically hang anything that wrinkles to dry and then spot iron. It works pretty well.

Anonymous

I splurged on a Rowenta once and it developed leaks too. I was probably putting tap water in it because it would leak rusty brown water on my husband's white work shirts and that was the last straw. I prefer a lighter weight iron as I tend to be clumsy and the heavy ones topple off the board if I don't set them down just right.

I went back to the $10 irons from the discount store. The one I have now is a Proctor Silex and it has a teflon coating white makes it glide really smoothly. After 20 years I finally got a new ironing board and I haven't been using starch because it really gloms up the ironing board cover (and the iron). A pristine iron + pristine ironing board cover = ironing happiness for me.

ETA: we have a steamer at the boutique, and it's only good for steaming out light wrinkles in suiting and such. We don't have an actual iron there, for insurance reasons and it is impossible to *press* a wrinkled cotton shirt with that thing!

soobee

Veteran

Hate, hate, hate ironing. There. I said it. I'd rather scrub toilets, lol. I had a wonderful, expensive iron (sorry, forgot the brand) but hubs left it on and burnt it out, so no more expensive irons for me. I must say though, that it really did work much better than the cheaper ones. I worked with a lady years ago who really was an ironing connoisseur. She would iron her clothes (and her family's) inside out first, then turn the clothes right way around and iron them again.

MsMary

Veteran

Scarlet, my steamer lives on the back patio!

bella

(website)

Veteran

I wonder if this is a European thing?
My mom also remarked several times that we should invest in a better quality iron than our current one. She thinks it will make ironing easier and will take less time. According to her, a good iron should have some heft to it but not too much. It must have a non-sticky plate that glides over the fabric. It should heat easily, and produce a good amount of warm vapor without leaking or causing you to burn yourself.
I am not sure what brand she uses. I will ask her if you want.

HelloKitty

Scarlet, I am an ironer. I iron almost every single morning. I actually don’t mind it, but the quality of the iron does make a huge difference. I’ve been using T-Fal irons for years, and they are excellent. Whenever I have to use a lower-quality iron (at a hotel, or someone else’s house), I really notice the difference. The T-Fals are heavy and smooth, don’t leak, and have very good temp controls. The ones I use are in the $80 price range (mine looks like this). I tried a lower model once (bought it used, so didn’t spend too much) and it wasn’t the same. So yes I would say a better iron can definitely save you time and effort, and is safer for your clothes.

HelloKitty

Ha, Bella, you've just described my iron Maybe your mom uses a T-Fal

nicoleb

(website)

Veteran

I've had a lot of ironing disasters and i'm pretty sure all the irons i own are crap. ;_;

Sooooo...no advice.

I really want a steamer...

Sona

Veteran

I have a steamer too. Especially with my Indian clothes ( that I wear seldom) but still it takes forever to iron a sari . I have a home professional steamer that I bought on sale for $125. kind of like the ones you see in boutiques. It really helps to be able to have the garment upright and get it all in one go so to speak.

Scarlet

Veteran

T Fal, this is ringing a bell! I wonder if that is what my MIL has. Sorry but I don't want to call and ask :p

Bella, I wonder if it is something of a European thing. People here take their table and bed linens to be professionally pressed. Blows my mind.

I have got to say that all these responses are really fun to read. Maybe I am a closet ironing enthusiast, or maybe it is just interesting to know how we all fight our little daily battles.

Anonymous

I'm a meticulous ironer, and do not "farm out" my ironing to "professionals." It all gets done "in house" by moi. I own a very effective, high-quality T-Fal.