Why the right iron still matters, even in a non-iron world

Shortly after I got married, I was tasked with ironing my husband’s shirts. I was confident that he would be impressed by my ironing skills; after all, my Hungarian mother taught me, so I definitely knew how to iron a shirt. The only issue was, my husband was used to sending his shirts to “The Chinaman” (Boro Park natives will understand).

Not to be confused with the cleaners, “The Chinaman” operated out of a tiny store and only did shirts, apparently. He starched them to a level no one could ever hope to replicate. Trust me, I tried!

Today, every shirt and pair of pants proudly displays the non-iron symbol as its biggest selling point, as do most tablecloths and many linens. But I have a small confession to make: I still love ironing. I iron my linens, tablecloths, even those non-iron shirts.

Not all irons were created equal, and a stronger iron definitely makes ironing a lot easier.

When purchasing an iron, these are the key functions to look for:

Soleplate quality. The soleplate is the bottom of the iron. It determines how smoothly the iron glides over fabrics.

• Stainless steel is durable and easy to clean.
• Ceramic has excellent heat distribution and is gentle on fabrics.
• Titanium or alloy can be lightweight and easier to handle.

Temperature control — Different fabrics require different heat settings. Cotton needs high heat, silk needs low. Look for an iron that either has clear dials with multiple heat settings, or an iron with settings that are labeled for different fabrics.

Steam functionality — Steam helps relax the fibers in fabrics and removes wrinkles more efficiently. Look for adjustable steam output levels, and steam burst/shot.

Power and heat-up time — Higher wattage means faster heat-up time and better performance. A ready indicator light or sound lets you know your iron has reached its set temperature.

Safety features — Auto shut-off is extremely important. This feature turns the iron off if left idle, a huge safety plus.

Works Like a Steam

I personally love the Rowenta Steam station.

Aside from being a very powerful iron, it also doubles as a steamer. Which is very useful when you just need to get the creases out of something like the back of a skirt or jacket without ironing the whole item.

It is on the pricier side, but a worthwhile investment if you iron a lot, or want to make fast work of the things you choose to iron.

Iron Easy

Ironing, like everything else, is easier once you know how.

Here are some tips that will help you make easy work of whatever you choose to iron:

• Always check the care label of the garment or item you want to iron. Too much heat can leave scorching; too little heat won’t effectively remove the wrinkles.
• Slightly damp clothing releases the wrinkles more easily. For dry fabric with stubborn wrinkles, use the steam function or lightly mist them with water.
• Steam works best for fabrics such as cotton, linen, or heavier fabrics such as denim. For delicate fabrics such as silk or synthetic, use a clean pillowcase or thin cloth as a shield between the iron and the fabric. Or you can buy an iron cover to slip over the iron.
• When ironing shirts, start with the collars, then the sleeves, then move on to the body of the shirt. Irons are designed with a pointed tip to navigate around buttons and pleats. Use the rounded narrow end of the ironing board to get the shirt in the right position to best iron it, then smooth down the fabric before beginning to iron it.
• Letting the iron sit on one place for too long can cause shine marks or burns. Use smooth, continuous strokes and lift the iron between sections as opposed to dragging it
• Dark fabrics, embellished items, and anything with a raised print should be ironed inside out.
• Mineral buildup and residue from things like spray starch can stain clothing. Make sure to empty out the water tank after each use and clean the soleplate according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

(Originally featured in Family First, Issue 981)