Choosing the Perfect Iron for Every Fabric

Ironing clothes is an essential part of maintaining their appearance and ensuring a crisp and polished look. Different types of fabrics require specific care and attention when ironing to avoid any damage. When it comes to ironing different fabrics, it is important to consider their heat tolerance and texture. Delicate fabrics like silk, satin or chiffon require extra care as they can easily scorch or get damaged by high heat. For medium-weight fabrics such as cotton, linen or denim, a moderate to high heat setting can be used. These fabrics are more resistant to heat and can withstand a higher temperature. It is essential to pay attention to the care labels to determine the appropriate heat setting for each garment. Synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon or spandex often have a lower heat tolerance and can melt or warp under high temperatures. By understanding fabric types, adjusting heat settings accordingly and using proper techniques, you can achieve impeccable results. So let us find out more about different types of irons for clothes. 

Iron for Clothes 

An iron is a handy home appliance that helps to remove wrinkles and creases from clothes, thus giving them a neat and professional appearance. It consists of a flat metal plate called the soleplate, which is heated to the desired temperature to iron different types of fabrics. The iron is designed with a comfortable handle for easy accessibility, allowing you to glide the iron over clothes effortlessly. With the ability to adjust the temperature settings, an iron ensures that different fabrics are treated properly without the risk of damage. Additionally, some irons come with steam functionality, which can be used to further relax the fabric and make the ironing process even more efficient. Overall, an iron is a valuable appliance that significantly reduces the time and effort required for maintaining well-pressed clothing. 

Types of Iron for Clothes 

An iron can be broadly classified into two types: dry irons and steam irons:  

• Dry Irons

Dry irons are traditional irons that use heat and pressure to remove wrinkles from clothes. They are simple to use and usually cost less than steam irons. They come with different types of soleplate coatings such as Teflon, American Heritage and Gold. These coatings improve the iron's glide over fabrics and ensure even heat distribution. The non-stick coating on the soleplate reduces sticking and makes gliding the iron over the fabric easier. It is scratch-resistant and helps deliver even heat distribution. The power wire is typically a 360-degree swivel cord that allows for increased flexibility when using the iron. It can be easily adjusted to the desired angle, making it easier to reach difficult places while ironing. 

Dry irons have different fabric settings to adjust the temperature to a suitable level for specific fabrics. This setting also helps prevent damage to delicate fabrics and ensures the best possible ironing results. Also, dry irons can be either lightweight or heavyweight. Heavyweight irons typically feature a heavy metal plate that can retain heat for longer. The heavyweight feature also helps apply greater pressure on the fabric. 

• Steam Irons

Steam irons moisten the fabric, making it easier to remove wrinkles. They can also be used vertically to freshen up clothes without ironing them. Similar to dry irons, steam irons also have different types of soleplate coatings such as Teflon, American Heritage, and Gold. These coatings improve the iron's glide and make it easier to move over the fabric. 

They usually have adjustable steam settings that allow you to control the amount of steam released during ironing. This feature is helpful for different types of fabrics. Additionally, they come with an automatic shut-off feature. This feature turns off the iron automatically if it is left unattended for a certain period, hence providing safety and energy efficiency. 

Such irons can be used vertically to freshen up hanging clothes, curtains or upholstery without the need for a traditional ironing board. They often have a self-cleaning function that helps prevent the build-up of mineral deposits and extends the life of the iron. 

Dry Iron vs Steam Iron 

Ironing clothes is an essential part of maintaining a neat and well-groomed appearance. Both steam irons and dry irons serve the purpose of removing wrinkles from clothes, but they work in different ways. Let us take a closer look at the distinctions between steam irons and dry irons: 

• Functionality

A dry iron is a basic iron that uses heat to remove wrinkles from clothes. It does not have a steam function and relies solely on the soleplate's heat to smoothen out the fabric. A steam iron, on the other hand, is equipped with a water reservoir that heats water to create steam. The steam is then released through the steam holes on the soleplate to moisten and relax the fabric. 

• Crease Removal

Dry irons are suitable for everyday ironing needs and are particularly useful for delicate fabrics that require gentle heat. They are effective in removing wrinkles, especially on silk and other fabrics that need extra care. Meanwhile, steam irons are designed to tackle more stubborn wrinkles and creases. The steam released from the iron penetrates the fabric, thus loosening the fibres and making it easier to achieve a smooth and flawless crease. 

• Weight

Dry irons are generally lightweight, making them easy to use. This feature is beneficial, especially when ironing a large number of clothes. However, steam irons may be slightly heavier due to the additional water reservoir. 

Type Of Iron To Use For Different Fabrics 

You can use dry iron to iron certain fabrics and steam iron for others. Generally, you should consider the following: 

• Cotton: You need high heat to successfully iron cotton clothes. The fabric must be damp, so a steam iron can be ideal here. 
• Linen: Linen fabric tends to wrinkle relatively quicker, hence you need high heat to iron linen clothes. A steam iron can help remove wrinkles easily.  
• Silk: Silk is a delicate fabric therefore you should be careful about the type of iron you use. Use a dry iron at medium heat. 
• Nylon: No steam should be used to iron nylon. Use a dry iron at low heat. 
• Polyester: You can use a steam iron at medium to low heat to iron polyester. 
• Wool: Use a dry iron on the wrong side of the wool fabric. 

Things to Consider Before Buying an Iron 

Before buying an iron for clothes, there are several factors to consider: 

• Check whether it is compact and lightweight, which is ideal for travellers. 
• Choose a handle size that is comfortable for you, ensuring it is not too big or small. 
• Consider the weight of the iron. Newer models may be lightweight. 
• Know the power and wattage of the iron you want to use. Higher wattage irons heat up faster and provide better performance in removing creases and wrinkles. 
• Choose from different soleplate materials like aluminium (which heats well), ceramic (which is durable and distributes heat evenly), non-stick (which reduces clothes sticking) and stainless steel (durable and scratch-resistant). 
• Look for irons with easy-to-fill water tanks and a see-through feature to monitor the water level. 
• Consider the type of steam vents - variable steam vents for control, vertical steam vents for heavy clothes and shot-of-steam vents for extra steam on stubborn wrinkles. 
• Ensure the iron has easy and precise temperature controls, with all settings easily noticeable and adjustable. 
• Look for irons with a 360-degree cord swivel mechanism to prevent the cord from getting in the way. 

Takeaway 

The way you dress can be a reflection of your personality. Crisp clothes show your attention to detail. Therefore, you must invest in a good iron. You can choose a dry iron or a steam iron based on your requirements.  

Providing you with effortless ironing solutions, explore a range of dry and steam iron from Crompton. 

FAQs on Types of Iron for Clothes 

• What are the different types of irons for clothes available? 

Crompton offers two types of irons: dry irons and steam irons. Dry irons use heat and pressure, while steam irons use steam to remove wrinkles. 

• What are the features of dry irons?

Crompton dry irons come with various soleplate coatings like Teflon, American Heritage and even Gold for improved glide and even heat distribution. They also have adjustable fabric settings, scratch-resistant soleplates and 360-degree swivel power cords for enhanced flexibility. 

• What are the features of steam irons? 

Crompton steam irons have different soleplate coatings and adjustable steam settings. They also feature automatic shut-off for safety and energy efficiency. Some steam irons can be used vertically and have self-cleaning functions. 

• What factors should I consider before buying an iron? 

The factors to consider before choosing an iron include compactness, handle size, weight, power and wattage, soleplate material, water tank capacity, steam vent types, temperature controls, and cord swivel mechanisms. 

• What are some iron models offered by Crompton? 

Crompton offers a range of electric irons with various features. These include models like FabriAutotech, FabriSmart, Pyro, FabriMax, Rhino Plus, FabriMagic and Presto. Each model has distinct specifications such as power, water tank capacity, steam output and additional features like anti-drip technology, non-stick coatings and many others.