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• A steam iron is a heated plate with a handle and water reservoir. It is used to smooth out the wrinkles in clothing. Unlike dry irons steam irons have a steaming feature that helps to smooth away stubborn wrinkles.

• Fast Facts

  1. Common uses: Smoothing out wrinkles on clothing
  2. Price range: $6 to $200
  3. Caution: Keep out of reach of children
  4. Use appropriate heat setting for each material
  5. Use water or starch to remove wrinkles
  6. Starch sticks to the sole plate
  7. Starch provides a crisper look

• Buying Guide

  When buying an iron first consider the features most important to you. There are a variety of feature available from steam setting to features that will prevent cord hassles.

  Steam and water can make ironing faster and easier. Some irons have built in sprayers to spray water where it is needed. Many steam irons also have an adjustable steam setting or a steam button that allows a puff of steam whenever it's needed. Some models will steam when they are upright, this can be handy when steaming a shirt while it's on the hanger.

  The cord of the iron can be irritating at times. Some models have a swivel where the cord attaches to the iron. There are even some cordless models. The cordless models need to be reheated often and this can be time consuming so if you often iron in a rush, stick with corded styles.

  With children safety is a big issue. There are some irons available that will shut off automatically after the have been left upright for some time.

  There are nonstick sole plates available for easier stuck-on starch clean up.

  As with purchasing any tool intended for long use, be sure that it feels good in your hand. The last thing you want is an uncomfortable iron and an hour or more ironing to do.

• Top Brands

  • Black & Decker
  • Hamilton Beach
  • Sunbeam
  • Rowenta
  • Proctor Silex
  • Jiffy
  • Conair
  • Panasonic
  • Bosch

• Related Mahalo Pages

  How to Iron a Shirt | Fabric Steamer | Washing Machine | Detergent | Hammers | Screwdrivers | Cordless Drills | Lawn Mowers | Floor Cleaners | Patio Furniture | Dryers | Clothing | How to Use a Sewing Machine

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