VERTICAL STEAM IRON PORTABLE
VERTICAL STEAM IRON WINDOWS

Modern ironing boards and pads are designed to work with your iron, enhancing its performance. by Swiss inventor Otto Walker in December 1924. The first electric steam iron was patented in the U.S. Not only are they indispensable if you travel frequently on business, they're great for vacations.

VERTICAL STEAM IRON PORTABLE

Portable steam irons have low power, small tanks, and not many features - so why would you want one? Well, good ones are surprisingly efficient and very compact. Models with a digital readout or ceramic soleplate will cost more, but even at the high end, you're unlikely to spend more than $100. It will get hot, and it will turn water into steam, but in our experience, it won’t do so very effectively or for very long.Ī good-quality steam iron can be yours for $25. You can find a steam iron for as little as $15.

VERTICAL STEAM IRON WINDOWS

See-through tanks or water-level windows are useful visual aids. Some also prevent the buildup of calcium, which can eventually block your iron. The same is true of self-cleaning options. Other featuresĪ number of steam irons claim to have non-drip or anti-spitting functions, though effectiveness varies. How many of these features you get varies from model to model. Automatic shut-offĪutomatic shut-off can switch off the iron if it's left alone for a certain period, if it's tipped over, or if the tank runs dry. There are also cordless irons available, but they need to be regularly reheated on bases - an unnecessary step for many users. Some are retractable, though feedback tells us they're not always popular, with jamming a frequent problem. The overwhelming majority of steam irons have a cord. All but the very cheapest steam irons have them.Ī few models also work upright, allowing you to steam curtains and clothes on hangers. These irons have “outriggers” as stands.īestReviews Cleaning Expert Extra steam and a fine sprayĪ “pulse” of extra steam through the baseplate is a basic necessity, as is a fine spray. But some manufacturers make both ends pointed, claiming better maneuverability.

Traditionally, the heel (or rear end) of the soleplate is flat so you can stand the iron up when you're not using it. Many have grooves at the front to get in and around buttons. Not many of the items we iron are perfectly square, so soleplates are shaped to make it easier to get into pleats, collars, and cuffs. Some manufacturers use lots of small holes others use shaped holes.īecause ceramics are naturally more slippery than other soleplate materials, these models usually have fewer holes than their stainless steel and aluminum competitors. The size and shape of the holes on the soleplate affect how evenly steam is distributed. The coating is effective when in good condition, but it can chip or peel on more inexpensive steam irons.Ĭeramic: This is also a coating, but modern ceramics are hard, excellent at heat distribution, easy to clean, and very smooth, so they glide well. It’s lightweight and often used for portable models. Non-stick: This type of soleplate is aluminum or plastic that has been coated with PTFE or a similar “non-stick” layer. Anodized aluminum can get sticky over time. Stainless steel is prone to scratching, but all soleplates are, and minor marking won't affect performance.Īnodized aluminum: Lighter than stainless steel, anodized aluminum is a cheaper option that distributes heat well but isn't as durable or easy to clean. Stainless steel: The most popular soleplate material, it’s bright, durable, and easy to clean. Soleplates come in several different materials. You want a soleplate that distributes steam effectively and glides smoothly when dry. The soleplate is the metal plate at the base of the iron. During testing, our experts use a variety of fabrics including natural and synthetic fibers.Once you've got heat and steam, you need to apply it to your fabric. Our experts also look at other factors like balance, comfortability when holding the steamers and water tank capacity, just to name a few. The Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab tests garment steamers by assessing their efficiency, heat-up time, and ease of use. Because they are so portable, garment steamers are perfect for travel and they are easy to use around the house to spruce up bed skirts, draperies and window treatments, pillow shams and more. It work wonders on clothing made of soft or delicate materials, like flowing skirts and silky blouses and on suit jackets, sequined tops and other difficult-to-press items. We updated this guide in July 2022 to ensure all products tested and vetted by the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Appliances and Cleaning Products Lab were in stock and reflected current pricing.Ī garment steamer is a great addition (or alternative!) to a traditional steam iron for quickly removing wrinkles and freshening fabrics.

Vertical steam iron