by kristine on August 24, 2010
The best steam iron should be self cleaning and doesn’t need you to look after it, right? No! If anybody ever found a steam iron that can be used with tap water, doesn’t require cleaning at all, and still works marvelously after a year of regular use with no sputtering or dripping, please tell me about it!
Taking care of your steam iron is not difficult at all. You’d just have to what causes problems and avoid them.
Clogging up/sputtering/spitting/dripping water
Most steam irons works best with distilled water, especially those that doesn’t have a self cleaning system. But even those that has an anti scale valve and recommends you to use tap water will clog up some day.
How do you know your steam iron has clogged up? It starts to sputter, spit or drip water. There are two solutions to this problem, one is to use distilled water only, and one is to clean the steam iron regularly.
First, make sure the iron is unplugged and cooled down, then clean the steam holes using a cotton swab or toothpick. Don’t use a sharp tool that might scratch the soleplate.
When you’re done with this, fill the water tank with vinegar solution (one part vinegar one part water) and turn on the iron. Turn on the steam iron and use the continuous steam or spray the vinegar solution out of the vents. Do this for about five minutes, then turn off the steam iron and drain the rest of the solution.
Repeat the steaming process with plain water (distilled water is best) to get rid of any remaining vinegar.
Burnt substance on soleplate
Sometimes you get fabrics that burnt (usually because you used the wrong heat setting in the first place) and get stuck on the soleplate.
Always make sure the steam iron is unplugged and cooled down before you start cleaning!
Wet a piece of cloth with vinegar and wipe the soleplate clean of any buildup. Stubborn substances can be removed with a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. Remember not to use a harsh scrubby to avoid scratching the soleplate. Use a soft cloth only.
Burnt starch can come off by rubbing it with a wet melamine foam or dirt eraser such as the Mr.Clean Magic Eraser or 3M Scotch Brite Erasing Pad.
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by kristine on August 23, 2010
I have noticed that there is an endless debate on whether you should buy a heavier steam iron or a lightweight one. In fact, if you read as many steam iron user reviews as I did, you would probably notice that even for one single steam iron, there are contradicting opinions on whether it is a heavy or a lightweight steam iron!
Heavy Steam Irons
All the traditional irons are much heavier than the irons nowadays, the earlier ones called “sadirons” which literally means “heavy irons”. Weight is an important factor for the iron’s efficiency to get creases out.
But ever since the invention of the steam iron, the weight of an iron is becoming less important because hot steam helps a lot in the way of getting out the wrinkles.
Lightweight Steam Irons
Manufacturers try to make lighter steam irons for relieving the stress on the user’s hand and back while trying to make the steam powerful to substitute for the weight in efficiency. After all the steam iron will be heavier when it is filled with water.
Lightweight and compact steam irons are also good for traveling with. Sometimes my husband goes for a conference somewhere and needs his shirts pressed; he is happy that a compact steam iron can do the job in a few minutes rather than paying for the service.
I guess the choice between a heavy and a lightweight steam iron is purely personal, as long as you know what you like, and the best bet is to get one that has a balance between both advantages!
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by kristine on August 22, 2010
The SteamFast SF-407 1500-Watt Fabric Steamer is easy to assemble, heats up to a powerful steam in 30 seconds, and does everything as advertised with only a couple of minor problems.
SteamFast SF-407 1500-Watt Fabric Steamer
What I loved:
- A wide nozzle for steam output combined with powerful, even flow – it makes going over drapes such a pleasure and a lot faster.
- It only takes about 3 minutes to steam a shirt or pair of slacks. With an iron, it used to take me 3 minutes just for one side, so I’m very pleased with how much time I’ve saved.
- Works like a dream on silk, heavy cotton, linen and denim. I still get a kick out of steaming linen bedsheets that used to be a complete nightmare to iron.
- Removes stains from carpets and rugs.
- The water tank is so easy to refill. Just remove it, unscrew the lid and pour water in.
- HUGE savings from not having to go to the cleaners anymore. Yet I still get clothes that look like it was professionally dry-cleaned. Having done my homework on steamers, I knew better than to expect it to make business shirts look crisp and pressed. That’s not what steamers do anyway, so I had realistic expectations.
What could be better:
- Instructions advise only the use of distilled water to avoid build-up. A little extra cost there, but I suppose it beats spending at the dry cleaners instead.
- I would prefer a sturdier garment hanger. There’s very little point in providing a hanger if it’s not strong enough to hold a dress shirt without toppling over.
- The hose can get extremely hot whenever I’m using it for longer periods of time, like going over curtains. Sometimes I use heat-resistant gloves for added safety.
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by kristine on August 21, 2010
If you’re a right hander and like a reasonably heavy iron, then you might like this Panasonic NI-C78SR Steam/Dry Iron.
Panasonic NI-C78SR Steam/Dry Iron with Stainless-Steel Soleplate
I really like the features of this steam iron. The auto shut off is a must for me, and that’s because I’m so forgetful! This steam iron shuts off when it is put upright for 10 minutes, or unmoved for 60 seconds on its soleplate, or when tipped over on its side. That means I don’t have to worry about burning the ironing board and damaging the iron as well.
I like the removable tank too, though apparently from the reviews for the Panasonic NI-C78SR Steam/Dry Iron not all people like this feature. Some people don’t see the point of removing and reattaching the water tank, but I prefer to bring the tank to fill up at the sink instead of bringing water to the iron, where I can spill it on the way.
One drawback is that you can’t refill the water tank while still ironing; there is no option of filling it directly when it is in the iron. You can shut off the iron and take out the tank to refill, though I suppose one must be more careful that way.
While not as convenient as a cordless steam iron, this iron nevertheless has a retractable cord for easy storage. I know it’s one more thing to worry about breaking after some time, but it’s nice not to have the cord lying around.
Speaking of the cord, this steam iron is not for left handers, because the cord comes out on the right side and will get in the way!
Panasonic NI-C78SR Steam/Dry Iron has a good hold, heavy enough but not too heavy, the steam works well, and the stainless steel soleplate gives a smooth glide over fabrics. Highly recommended for right handers!
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by kristine on August 20, 2010
For those of you who prefer a coated soleplate instead of a stainless steel one, the Panasonic NI-S300TR 1200-Watt Steam Iron is a decent steam iron at a decent price.
Panasonic NI-S300TR 1200-Watt Steam Iron with Curved Titanium-Coated Soleplate
“Love the soleplate. It just seems to glide over things.” – Frances M. Russell
If you work with fusibles, the titanium coated soleplate will win hands down over a stainless steel one for easy cleaning.
The Panasonic NI-S300TR 1200-Watt Steam Iron feels good in the hand, not too light to be efficient and not to heavy to stress the user. The base feels substantial for such an affordable iron and this means it won’t tip over on your ironing board.
Like its stainless steel sibling the Panasonic NI-C78SR, this steam iron has a retractable cord that makes it so convenient to store away and bring about. But what’s different is that it doesn’t have a removable water tank. Since some people prefer to fill the tank directly with a water bottle, this is their better option.
I think it’s nice to have the switch between dry, some steam and lots of steam, although even with some steam the iron works fairly well to get the creases out.
The Panasonic NI-S300TR 1200-Watt Steam Iron has automatic shut off too, and it reheats very quickly if you want to continue with ironing. It stays on for 10 minutes when put upright, which is good enough for small sewing projects, like when you need to flatten down the hems and crease the corners for modifying a piece of garment.
“Great for someone who doesn’t want to pay a lot for an iron, but doesn’t want to sacrifice on quality . Definitely recommend this! “ – Olivia
For less than $30, there’s hardly anything to complain about this steam iron. Get the Panasonic NI-S300TR 1200-Watt Steam Iron with free shipping now.
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by kristine on August 19, 2010
A powerful and semi industrial steam iron, the DeLonghi Stiromeglio Compact PRO 300 Ironing System produces a lot of steam and cuts your ironing time in half!
DeLonghi Stiromeglio Compact PRO 300 Ironing System with Pressurized Boiler
This steam generating iron has a good temperature that you will be pleased to find can get the creases out in one smooth movement. For a pile of clothes that you would need half an hour to do with the average iron, this iron can do in less than 15 minutes, and they look professionally done too.
If you like the starched look and feel of a freshly ironed shirt, the DeLonghi Stiromeglio Compact PRO 300 Ironing System can do it without starch! Yes, it’s that powerful. Even with the deeply wrinkled clothes that have been sitting in the dryer for the whole day.
This is a steam iron suitable for people who do sewing and quilting because it has no auto shutoff. The hot iron will be available anytime in between sewing, but for those who are just doing regular ironing you’ll have to remember to unplug it after use.
Less Convenient Design
There are a couple of small drawbacks with this steam iron. There is no window or indicator for you to see the water level, so filling up has to be done carefully to avoid spills, unless you experiment with a measure cup to see how much water could be filled and use the same cup each time.
This might be slightly troublesome because you’ll have to check the water level with a straw each time before you turn it on, to make sure you have enough to last the ironing, but most people get used to this after a while.
The steam cord is rather short for some too, but since this is a compact iron it is understandable. You’ll just have to bring the fabric to the iron instead of the other way round.
I would sum this up by saying that the DeLonghi Stiromeglio Compact PRO 300 Ironing System is not the iron for people who rush to iron a shirt when they need it, but rather for those who do a lot of ironing for sewing projects or for the family and want to save time.
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by kristine on August 18, 2010
This is a superb product that has definitely made ironing a lot easier to deal with. I bought the Rowenta DZ5080 Focus Stainless-Steel 1700-Watt Iron after I was told that this was one of the more reliable brands for irons.
Rowenta DZ5080 Focus Stainless-Steel 1700-Watt Iron
My first impression of the Rowenta Focus Iron was its weight – this baby’s heavy! I suppose that adds to its efficiency but on a more practical level, those with mild arthritis may have an issue here. Otherwise, consider it exercise for leaner forearms.
The iron heats up fast and distributes powerful steam evenly. Naturally it uses a lot of water because of its high-powered steam feature, so while some may find it inconvenient to keep refilling the reservoir, I think it’d be impossible to have such a great appliance without this slight catch.
It presses beautifully on cotton and linen, with ironing time greatly reduced. Just a quick glide on each side and I’m done! A girlfriend used to complain about having to go over a dress shirt 3 to 4 times and I’ve since recommended the Rowenta Focus to her. She can’t thank me enough. I also love the precision of its tip for going under buttons.
Despite singing all these praises for the Rowenta Focus Iron, I’m increasingly getting fed up with the auto-shut off function. It doesn’t have an on/off button so the only way to switch it off is to leave it to do so by itself. The problem is, sometimes it switches itself off when I’m in the middle of ironing.
The manual says it auto shuts off after 8 minutes of being vertical and 30 seconds of being horizontal or tipped over. While I applaud any safety precaution, this function has been acting up lately, even after I follow the manual’s advice of giving it a “gentle sideways shake”.
I’m hoping the problem has more to do with me than with the iron, because it’ll be a shame to let this one go.
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by kristine on August 16, 2010
I was tired of getting a stiff neck each time I ironed, so I purchased the Home Touch PS-200 Perfect Steam Commercial Garment Steamer as an affordable alternative.
Home Touch PS-200 Perfect Steam Commercial Garment Steamer
It heats up fairly quickly (in under one minute) and its description boasts that it steams away wrinkles “5 times faster than ironing”. Since I’ve never actually timed my ironing, I can’t verify that statement. But I can vouch that it gets the job done a lot faster than ironing does.
Don’t expect to get the same results as ironing though. It won’t give you that crisp, pressed look but it will smoothen out any wrinkles. The steam isn’t very powerful so you may need to go over thicker fabrics a few times. I mostly use it to smoothen out delicate fabrics, which gets done in a matter of minutes.
Home Touch PS-200 Perfect Steam Commercial Garment Steamer comes with a pole for you to hang clothes on, but it’s not stable at all. I mostly hang lightweight blouses so this isn’t an issue for me yet. The few occasions where I tried to hang heavier shirts on it, the entire thing toppled over! If you intend to use this on heavy shirts that require powerful steam, you may be sorely disappointed.
The rollers make it very convenient for portability, but it doesn’t have brakes or stoppers so it tends to roll around a bit while I’m steaming. It was quite frustrating at first because I was spending more time chasing the steamer than actually steaming my clothes. I’ve since learned to use a lighter touch, although sometimes the stiffness of the hose makes that a bit difficult too.
All in all, the Home Touch PS-200 Perfect Steam Commercial Garment Steamer is fine if you only plan to de-wrinkle simple blouses. Otherwise, I’d invest in a sturdier model that gets more done with less inconvenience.
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by kristine on August 9, 2010
The Black & Decker D6000 Digital Iron’s selling point is its steam function for ALL temperature settings. True enough, it worked like a dream on my silk blouses, cotton dress shirts, and thick corduroy jackets. But of course, this IS an iron and not a steamer so don’t expect any miracles here. It’s a great option to have though, and makes ironing a lot quicker and easier.
Black & Decker D6000 All-Temp Steam Iron with Stainless-Steel Soleplate
The LCD screen displays all the settings clearly so immediately at a glance, I could go through the temperature setting, fabric type, steam option, etc. The temperature setting is done digitally, with two buttons to increase or decrease the heat.
The Black & Decker D6000 Digital Iron is pretty hefty, but it feels very solid in the hand. Its heavy weight is probably why it presses clothes so beautifully and efficiently. Surprisingly, very little pressure is required to glide the iron even at a heavy 4lbs.
Because it’s able to produce such powerful steam, the water tank empties fairly quickly. To fill the tank, you need to hold the iron flat instead of upright like most other irons. When I had a load of ironing to do, I had to wait unplug the iron, let it cool, bring it to the sink to refill the tank, bring it back to the ironing board and heat it up again. MAJOR time-waster, this was. Now I only iron when necessary.
I would have preferred a longer cord for easy maneuvering around the ironing board. But it does swivel 360 degrees, which is a small compensation. I’ve not experienced any leaking from the iron, except when I fill the water tank over the brim.
Recommended if you take heed of its minor drawbacks such as the weight and water tank.
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by kristine on April 26, 2010
What makes Black & Decker F1000 Steam Advantage Iron different from others? From its name it is understandable…It has smart steam, spray mist, surge of steam and vertical steam which makes your ironing easier and quicker. Another great feature from this steam advantage iron is its anti-drip that eliminates water spotting. Well, this is to prevent water from entering steam chamber before it reaches the optimal temperature.
Black & Decker F1000 Steam Advantage Iron like all iron in the market has the so-called ‘non-stick’ soleplate and can glides smoothly across garments or fabrics. However, Black & Decker F1000 Steam Advantage Iron’s durable, scratch-resistant Ceramic-Glide soleplate makes the difference where it can reduce static electricity and making it ideal for ironing all types of materials and textiles. Moreover, Black & Decker F1000 Steam Advantage Iron is equipped with LED indicator lights, which indicates when iron reached selected temperature, and is comprehensible and easy-to-see guide, even your child can understand it, but remember to keep your child aside from playing with the iron! Also this steam advantage iron features a multi-position auto-off convenience! No worry to your forgetfulness though.
You might think that there are many other choices in the market and why choice Black & Decker F1000 Steam Advantage Iron? Well, my statement would be this steam advantage iron seizes all the basic needs of an iron and besides, the price is quite cheap and affordable…what’s more can you demand from such price?
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