What things to consider before buying a Dry Iron

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A new dry iron is an important purchase for your household. The right one can last for years, saving you time and money in the long run, but the wrong one could leave clothes with wrinkles or burns. That’s why it’s important to know what to look for when shopping around. This article will help guide you through the process of purchasing a dry iron that will suit all of your needs.

The Weight and Design

There are two types of ironing boards to consider, the traditional board with legs and the tabletop board.

The tabletop board is easier to move around your home because it’s light weight, but make sure that its surface area is large enough for you needs.

The Soleplates:

Most cloth iron come with a non-stick soleplate and most people replace them after they wear out so if you plan on using your iron constantly we would recommend purchasing an additional soleplate before buying an expensive one.

Power Consumption

This refers to how much electricity an item uses when in use or operating at 100%. Most modern heating appliances consume less than 1kwh per hour during operation with some only consuming 0.5kwh per hour. 

Thermostat Protection

Many models come with thermostat protection which means the temperature is maintained constant and it turns off automatically when not in use for a specific amount of time.  A good example is the Panasonic NI-E200SR1, which has an auto shut off that kicks in after 30 minutes of non-use (its way better than nothing).

Variable Temperature Control and Automatic Shut-off

This is where you can control how hot your iron gets by setting it between high and low temperatures or even turning off completely depending on your needs, most irons have this feature now so definitely look out for it if you need to be able to adjust the temperature at all times.

The Cords

Many irons come with different length cords to allow you freedom of moving around and placing your ironing board wherever you want to so it’s best to take this factor into consideration when buying a new iron.

Durability

This is pretty self explanatory but if the unit is made from cheaper steel or plastic parts that aren’t strong enough then replacing them may end up costing more in the long run, always look for a long lasting warranty period too, i’m sure there are many people out there who have never thought about what type of material their ironing board is made from before!  There’s no point in saving a buck on a flimsy handle right? 😉

Brand

As with most products we purchase in our lifetime, there is a brand that provides value for money and there are others that just aren’t up to standard.  We’re not saying that you should buy an iron just because it’s branded but if you do see the brand name that you recognize then chances are they provide good quality pieces.  Generally speaking, top brands such as Philips, Panasonic and Rowenta produce high quality irons with superior performance so definitely take this factor into consideration.

Price

This one is pretty obvious too, we all know we get what we pay for so if your looking to try out a new type of iron or want an upgrade from your old piece then keep on eye out for sales or price reductions.  One thing you can do is check the warranty period on the iron you’re interested in, if it comes with a full 2 year warranty then it’s probably worth paying out for.  Also, don’t forget that some models come with additional features that others don’t have so they are certainly more expensive but in some cases worth investing in for your own personal needs.

Warranty

This factor alone should make up your mind as to whether or not to purchase a certain ironing board because this determines how long the unit will last before needing repairs or replacement parts, always read the small print!   

Price:

If your going to be using your iron multiple times per week then try save as much as you can, but on the other hand if your a casual ironer then splashing out a little extra for a few additional features wouldn’t be such a bad idea.