Ironing board is a convenient invention and greatly facilitates the long and laborious process of ironing. The use of this device is especially relevant when working with large volumes of bedding and home textiles, as well as for families with a large number of people.
What it is?
An ironing machine was invented in the first half of the last century. It was a machine, consisting of two rollers rotating in different directions, which were driven by a wheel with a handle. To work on such an aggregate, two people were required, one of whom guided the fabric between the rollers, and the second turned the wheel. The device was quite overall and not very convenient, in addition, there was no thermal effect on the material, so there was no question of a high level of smoothing.
Over time, ironing machines have improved, and to this day have come in the form of compact and convenient electrical devicesmanaged by one person. Modern ironing machines are high-tech automatic devices that can not only smooth clothes, but also process them with steam and also dry them. Devices can quickly and efficiently smooth out a large amount of linen, without restrictions on the type of fabric and its thickness.
Advantages and disadvantages
High popularity of ironing machines due to a number of undeniable advantages of these units.
- Compared to using an iron, ironing with an ironing machine is very fast. So, it takes only 30 seconds to iron the sheet.This allows you to cope with a large number of clothes in a short time, without spending any special physical effort.
- Work on the ironing machine can be performed while sitting, which is very convenient for people who find it difficult to iron while standing.
- The use of the device is completely safe, due to the presence of protective parts covering the heating elements. Thanks to protection, burns or injuries are completely excluded.
- Ironing machine is able not only to smooth clothes, but also to dry things. This is very convenient and relevant for people living in regions with high humidity, in which drying clothes in a natural way is often a problem.
- Most of the devices on the market are quite compact and can be folded.
- The ability to smooth out several small things at the same time greatly simplifies the life of young parents and simplifies the care of a small child. In addition, due to the steam treatment function, it is possible to carry out a disinfecting hygienic treatment of clothes and diapers for a newborn.
- Machine ironing allows you to smooth and steam old creases and folds, which with a conventional iron is not always possible to do.
Along with the obvious advantages, ironing machines still have disadvantages. First of all, they include too high a price, several times higher than the cost of an ordinary iron. In addition, many types of clothing ironing is inconvenient.
This applies to products decorated with bows, ruffles and lace. In this regard, the device cannot be considered universal, which significantly narrows the scope of its application at home.
Kinds
The modern market for household appliances is represented by two types of ironing machines: roller and “mannequin” design.
Roller models are arranged quite simply and consist of a roll, shoe and a steam heating tray. The roll is presented in the form of a rotating unit, and is equipped with an elastic coating that does not allow the material to slide off during ironing.
The element constantly rotates and rolls the laundry on a hot surface. The second component, the shoe, is the very heating element through which the fabric passes through the roll.
The shoe is located directly in front of the roll and is protected by special shields that prevent finger burns. The steam tray is designed to form steam and moisturize dry laundry. It is filled with filtered water and turns on forcibly. Most machines are suitable both for professional use and for home, and differ only in the degree of automation and the size of the work surfaces.
“Mannequin” models are represented by automatic devices repeating the shapes of the human body, and are quite smart. "Mannequin" is able to change its dimensions to the size of the clothes being ironed, and does this by the method of self-inflating. The working surface of the device is made of high-quality silk, through which hot air comes out and smoothes things put on it. The appliance can also be used as a dryer, which allows you to iron the laundry immediately after spinning in the washing machine.
The most modern models are equipped with sensors for time and intensity of steam supply, as well as the ability to choose the operating mode necessary for a particular type of fabric.
How to choose?
Before you go to the store for an ironing machine, you need to decide on the type of appliance you need. So, if you intend to iron more items of outerwear and casual clothes, then it is better to purchase a "mannequin". If the bulk of the ironed linen consists of bed sets, curtains and bedspreads, then, of course, the choice should be stopped on the roll version.
No less important criterion is power. It is quite high for representatives of both types and amounts to about 3 kW / h.However, such a high energy consumption should not confuse the buyer, since the device operates at full power only in the first few minutes of heating, then the power decreases significantly, and keeps within 1.5 kW.
Another indicator that you need to take a closer look at is ironing speed. For a household model, 2 m / min will be quite enough, while for professional equipment this figure should correspond to 4.5 m / min. You also need to pay attention to the dimensions of the unit, and if the model is purchased for the home, then it is better to opt for a small, better folding device with the ability to adjust the height. The following dimensions are considered optimal: the size of the shaft section is 16 cm, its length is 80 cm, the height of the device is not more than one meter. Such a roller weighs about 40 kg.
The next selection criterion is the availability of additional options, among which the function of steaming over-dried items, the ability to automatically turn off when overheating, and the ability to control the temperature and intensity of steam formation can be noted. The shaft unlock option is also convenient, and allows you to pull the laundry out of the unit even in the event of a power outage.
Browse Popular Models
The modern market of household appliances offers a huge amount of high-quality and multifunctional equipment, among which ironing devices occupy not the least place.
German is confidently in first place in popularity Miele HM 1683, which is a leader in sales in the European market. The roll model is medium in size and equipped with silicone wheels. The roll of the device is reliably protected by special shields that completely eliminate the risk of burns on a hot surface.
The device has a built-in steamer, and can be adjusted in height.
Equally popular is the German mannequin type device. Siemens TJ 10500. The unit has 12 operating modes and has a fairly high power of 3.4 kW. The car weighs a little, only 28 kg, and its dimensions are 36.5x45x119 cm.
In third place is the popular domestic Kalinka-M modelhaving a roll type of design, and able to work with almost all fabrics, including silk, wool, cotton and linen.
Italian model mannequin type Battattella zeus a possesses the highest operational characteristics, but due to the high cost is not such a purchased product. The price of some modifications reaches 5 thousand dollars, which classifies the device as an elite class. The model is equipped with a steam generator, manual and electronic controls, 16 programs and a set of auxiliary clamps and extensions. The device is able to operate in hot and cold blowing modes and has a powerful pump. The weight of the "mannequin" is about 135 kg, the height reaches 160 cm, and the width is 58 cm.
And completes the top five Czech Ironnette 85. The roll device has 5 thermal modes, and is able to change the speed of ironing. The productivity of the model reaches 10 kg of linen per hour, the shaft diameter is 18 cm, and its length reaches 85 cm.
The unit is so convenient to use that it can be easily used for ironing trousers, t-shirts and skirts. The power of the machine is 3.3 kW, weight - 46 kg, and the cost is 1100-1400 dollars.
How to use?
In order for ironing on the ironing machine to be successful, you need to familiarize yourself with a number of general recommendations. Before you start smoothing, you must carefully read the information on the label. So, if among other symbols there is a crossed-out iron, then it is impossible to iron such a product with either an iron or an ironing machine. If such a designation is missing, then before starting to smooth the clothes should be well prepared. To do this, straighten all the deep folds, level the inner pockets and straighten the bent corners.
Things with embroidery are ironed only on the wrong side, and it is recommended to put a special roller under things that have recesses. Products with plastic buttons can be ironed, however, each button will need to be covered with a special cloth. In addition, outer clothing should only be ironed on mannequin-type appliances using additional accessories for the collar and cuffs.
It is not recommended to use roll models for ironing jackets and coats.
Reviews
Judging by consumer reviews, the ironing machine is not a necessity, and buying it can be advisable only in large families, when there is a need to constantly iron a huge amount of bedding and clothes.
However, those buyers who nevertheless purchased the roller unit and actively use it, talk about a significant reduction in ironing time and a fairly good quality of smoothing bedding and home textiles.
Of the minuses, the imperfection of the device and the impossibility of high-quality smoothing of clothes are noted. In addition, if the laundry was not straightened out before being fed to the roll, then ironed folds can be very difficult to smooth out later. In such cases, you have to completely wet the item, dry and re-iron. As for mannequin devices, they are mainly used by ateliers, sewing factories and costume designers. These units are rated as very convenient, and there are no particular complaints about them.
You will learn more about the use of ironing machines in the video below.
