Iron power: what is it and how does it affect the quality of ironing?

The purchase of an iron should be approached carefully. The neatness of our things and, as a result, our everyday image depends on his impeccable work. First you need to decide on the company. The stores sell both expensive models with well-promoted brands and models from little-known manufacturers.

Philips, Tefal, Bosch, Braun, Rowenta remain among the leaders this year. The only thing that can stop you from buying these models is their price. It remains high all the time. Quality always comes at a price. However, don't be upset. There are also inexpensive samples in our stores. They are slightly inferior to the leaders in terms of parameters, and the price may well suit a budget buyer. Here is a list of them: Vitek, Polaris, Scarlett.

Definitely, the sole must be flawless. The quality of ironing will subsequently depend on its properties. The main requirement for the sole is sliding. Your energy reserve and energy savings depend on the ease with which the iron will move around things. Another important requirement: the material from which the surface of the iron is made should not leave stains on clothes. Manufacturers are constantly improving and modernizing their products. Perhaps not all housewives yet know that there are several types of iron soles. Let's consider them in order.

• Aluminum outsole. This material has three advantages: it is inexpensive, heats up immediately, and if something sticks to the surface during ironing, it will be easy to clean. There are also disadvantages. Aluminum deforms over time from high temperatures, and the smooth surface quickly becomes scratched.
• Stainless steel sole. Such a sole is durable, moreover, it does not scratch, does not rust and has good glide.
• Ceramic sole. A great option. Glides well on the surface of any canvas. With this modern finish, the delicate fabric is protected from sticking. The laundry is ironed flawlessly. However, the coating must be treated with care. At the slightest impact, it can burst or break off.
• Titanium surface. Titanium, or rather, its sputtering, has practically no complaints. This is one of the most recent developments. The only drawback: long cooling and non-budget price for the iron.
• Teflon surface. Teflon is a decent option and provides a flawless ironing experience. Only the price range can stop buying.

The main requirement for choosing an iron should be power, which directly affects the quality of ironing and speed. Everything here will depend on your needs. To make it easier, let's divide these indicators into three parts.

• The iron with a rated power of only 1300-1600W, can meet the needs of a single person or a family of two. This option is also useful for those who often travel due to their low weight.
• For a large family or people who like order in everything, the best option is an iron of medium power - 1600-2000 W. Samples with such indicators will iron well both thick jeans and a shirt made of thin fabric.
• A model with a power of 2000-2400 W and higher is usually used by professionals: laundresses, tailors, owners of small hotels. But there are housewives who love flawlessly ironed sheets and towels. Then this choice is for you.

The more power, the more the iron will consume electricity. Therefore, thrifty housewives should take this factor into account. First of all, everything will depend on how much time you spend ironing things. The more the device works, the more electricity is consumed. For example, an iron with a power of 1600 W will consume 1.6 kilowatts per hour. Therefore, with an iron with a power of 2200 W, 2.2 kW will be consumed per hour of ironing.

The operating mode of the electric iron is equally important for the parameters that you choose. For the convenience of ironing various types of fabrics, a special temperature indicator is needed. Therefore, different modes are set in irons, which are regulated by means of a dial or a button. A large number of modes guarantee the quality of ironing.

It allows the fabric to be moistened during ironing. Moisture enters through a spray bottle. Thanks to this feature, you no longer need to manually apply water to a “capricious” fabric to iron it.

This is a required function. It is carried out through small holes made in the sole of the iron. Lots of holes - great steam delivery. When choosing a model, make sure that there are enough of them in the thin part of the iron. The quality of ironing in a hard-to-reach part of things will depend on this. Steam makes the process much easier. Consider one more nuance: spend a lot of steam - pour more water. Therefore, when buying, consider the size of the flask. The more voluminous it is, the better.

Steam boost is another essential function in which steam is supplied under high pressure. The more powerful the steam is, the better the fabric will be ironed in a hard-to-reach place. If the iron has a vertical steaming function, then it may be better to choose this model. This function allows you to easily tidy up any item right on the hanger. Ironing curtains will no longer give you a hassle. It is enough to run the steam over the fabric and it will take on a presentable look.

All of the above functions will work flawlessly if the iron has a high power. The larger it is, the more likely it is that steaming will be effective. However, one must take into account: models where steam supply and vertical steaming are actively used are quite heavy. They usually contain a large water reservoir. This is the weighting agent. If this does not scare you, then feel free to buy one.

For information on how to choose an iron and what to look for, see the next video.