Iron or clothes steamer? What to choose?
Ironing is one of those household chores that is usually time consuming and takes a long time to prepare. Let's face it - for some it's a real torture and punishment ... So naturally, you need to find some devices that can alleviate that torture or end it. Only this year, a working prototype of an ironing robot, with very limited functionality, was demonstrated. It may take another ten years for it to appear in everyone's home, so by that time you will have to use an iron or steamer.
The question now is: which device is better: an evaporator or an iron. In our opinion, both devices need to be at home. We will explain why.
Steam iron
A good iron with steam function is a necessity. If your iron is steam-free, be sure to purchase a modern steam iron. The ironing process will be shortened, which means you will iron more laundry over time.
Usually, distilled water is added to the iron, so purchase extra. Tap water contains lime and other substances that leave some dirt on heating. You may notice this when comparing white shirts or blouses. Don't damage the fabric, better buy a bottle of distilled water for ironing only.
Evaporator is not a new invention
If you think that the clothes evaporator is a new invention that came on the market just a couple of years ago, you are wrong. Steam ironing has long been known. All you needed to do was create a secure device. Now it is really safe and it is spreading around our house quite quickly.
The evaporator works in much the same way as a steam iron - the heating element is heated and sprayed with water, which instantly turns into steam. Then, when the valve is opened, it is released and routed to where needed.
An evaporator has many advantages over an iron:
1. The evaporator has a special rack for hanging clothes. They do not need to be turned like on an ironing board. In addition, some models allow more than one garment to be evaporated at once. Benefits? No need to bend so your back doesn't get tired.
2. The evaporator compares all normal fabrics, as well as the delicate ones - silk, satin, polyester, which the iron cannot do.
3. The vapor content of the evaporator is often adjustable to the thickness of the fabric. So ironing a denim or a thick sweater requires more steam, and cotton less.
4. An evaporator is not only suitable for ironing clothes. It can also be used for ironing curtains, bed linen directly on the bed, upholstered furniture. Unfortunately, you won't do this with the iron.
5. The evaporator removes 99.9 percent. bacteria and any unpleasant odors. As a result, some clothing needs to be washed less frequently (for example, men's suits, coats, down jackets, woolen sweaters). This saves a lot of household chemicals and energy.
Evaporators can also be handheld. They are not so powerful, the water capacity is smaller, but such evaporators can be placed on the go. They can be used at work.
Will the vaporizer alone boast? Are there any disadvantages?
The disadvantages are:
• Not all vaporizers have the appropriate accessories to form sturdy folds. This is needed when comparing suit pants and shirt sleeves.
• Some evaporators should only be used with special gloves that resemble baking gloves used in the kitchen.
• The evaporator must not be used if the garment is hung on a cabinet door or a wall with wallpaper - it may be damaged by steam.
• A stationary evaporator is a pretty cumbersome appliance that requires quite a bit of space compared to an iron and a folding ironing board.
• The evaporator does not start immediately - within 1-2 minutes. Like an iron that heats up completely in the same amount of time. The point is that ironed clothes can be dressed immediately, and it is recommended that you wait 5-10 minutes after using the evaporator to allow them to dry completely.
• The evaporator has a relatively short operating time, but you will not be able to iron your clothes instantly. You will need to steam your shirt for at least 1-2 minutes, with the iron taking 2-3 minutes.
If these disadvantages are not significant, then the evaporator is ideal for your home. Remember that the evaporator, like the iron, must be learned. You may have to watch some Youtube videos that show you how to do it right. There is a fundamental mistake people make when using an evaporator. When ironing, the entire plane should be pressed against the fabric. There is no need to press the evaporator, because then there is no way to escape the steam. If you already want to touch the fabric of the evaporator head, you can do so with the top edge of the head.
When ironing, always pull the fabric to straighten it and then slowly swipe the evaporator head a few times. Mosquitoes like a magic wand won't really make your garment level, so at first it will take some time.
And do not bend the steam hose, as this will result in less steam and longer ironing.
How to choose an evaporator?
Pay attention to accessories - whether the evaporator has accessories for sharp pleats. If not, you will have to do the traditional ironing. Unless you are dressing in formal style you are uncommon.
The higher the power, the faster the steam is formed, so you consume less energy.
It is possible to adjust the amount of steam according to the clothes to be evaporated. But not all models have this feature. The temperature is not regulated because steam is only obtained by heating the water to 100 degrees.
Let's go back to the question of which device to have at home. We recommend having both - the steamer will replace the ironing routine, and the iron will always help you to sharpen your pleats and perform other more difficult tasks that the steamer cannot do. If you are traveling frequently, we recommend that you purchase a handheld steamer, which will be sufficient to clean your clothes during the trip. And you won't have to wash them if you smell bad - the vaporizer takes care of it perfectly.