How to clean ceramic soleplate at home. Which iron soleplate is best? Types of iron soles and selection rules

The iron is included household items necessities, without it it is impossible complete care for things. But which iron is better - with a ceramic sole or steel? Many people ask this question before buying a new device. Manufacturers offer irons with different qualities of soles. The wear resistance of the device and the comfort of operation will depend on this element. We reveal all the pros and cons of each material and draw a reasonable objective conclusion.

Iron soles vary in material and shape. Both criteria are important, they will affect the care of textiles. Let's consider in detail each nuance.

Form

There are irons with a wider working surface, narrow, with a thin elongated nose and blunt.

A model with a wide sole and a blunt nose will be comfortable to iron bed sheets, towels. But for smoothing clothes, especially children's or delicate ones with ruffles, flounces, such a device is not the best choice.

In everyday life, to a greater extent, people use irons to care for clothes, so a model with a narrowed spout and a medium-width work surface will be the best solution.

What are the sole materials

Manufacturers today use various material for working surfaces of irons. Each coating has its pros, cons, features.

What are ironing boards made of?

  • aluminum;
  • teflon;
  • stainless steel;
  • ceramics;
  • titanium;
  • sapphire.

Aluminum is known for its low wear resistance. This metal is quite soft, it quickly becomes scratched, deformed, oxidized upon contact with certain substances. The soleplate of an aluminum iron often burns, burns through the fabric and ruins things.

Teflon is a comfortable surface for ironing things. The material glides well, does not stick, heats up quickly. But it also wears off quickly. After a couple of years of active operation, the Teflon device will become unusable.

Titanium and sapphire soles - innovative developments modern engineers. Such ironing devices have excellent qualities, high wear resistance, but are very expensive. Not everyone can afford an iron with a sapphire or titanium sole.

Devices from of stainless steel and ceramics remain the most affordable, practical, popular. Let us consider the properties of these materials in more detail.

Features of the ceramic sole

Ceramics as a surface for the soles of irons began to be used not so long ago. Models with such a coating have quite affordable prices, the choice of shapes and designs is also wide. Ceramic material is light by itself, so devices with such a coating usually do not exceed 1–1.5 kg in weight.

The ceramic layer in most models is applied to a thin aluminum or nickel surface. The sole of such devices remains quite thin.

On a note! There are cermet irons on the market. The material is an alloy of inorganic clay and metals. This is a more expensive type of coating, characterized by high strength.


Advantages

The ceramic iron heats up quickly, glides perfectly over the fabric, and has high non-stick properties. The device is best suited for ironing products made of delicate thin fabrics.

Ceramics are very easy to care for: they are perfectly cleaned even with a regular napkin dipped in soapy water.

Flaws

The disadvantages of such material are also enough. Ceramic outsole is not durable. The working area may be covered with chips, scratches when in contact with the metal fittings of clothing.

Even if you use the device as carefully as possible, all the same, the ceramic coating begins to thin out over time and become covered with microcracks. The device begins to slip poorly, burn and cause significant discomfort when ironing.

On a note! There are models of ceramic irons with transverse steel inserts. This improves the properties of the sole, making it stronger and more durable.

steel coating

An iron with a steel soleplate is heavier in weight. Stainless steel is very durable. Such models have been the most popular on the market for many years due to many positive qualities.

Advantages

Steel is very durable. She is not afraid of scratches, oxidation, deformation, shock. Of course, minor damage may appear on the sole over time, but they can be easily polished.

The stainless steel heats up almost instantly, evenly distributes the temperature over the entire sole, retains heat for a long time even when the device is turned off. The outsole glides easily over any fabric. There are many ways to clean stainless steel, so there are no problems with maintenance.

If we talk about reliability, then the steel iron in the list of the most wear-resistant takes first place. Not to mention the affordability ironing equipment with steel soles.

Flaws

Due to the fact that the stainless steel soleplate heats up very intensively, it is necessary to carefully monitor the choice of temperature for fabrics. A metal iron can easily damage clothing if the heat level is set incorrectly.


Steel is quickly covered with plaque and requires regular brushing. There are no more serious claims to this material.

On a note! Manufacturers offer steel irons with various coatings that improve the quality of devices. Chrome coating makes the sole perfectly smooth and easy to slide. The enamel coating has non-stick properties.

Conclusion

So, which iron is better to choose - ceramic or stainless steel?

If you approach the choice in terms of practicality, durability, then steel definitely wins. Soviet irons are mostly made of this metal. And until now, many of them remained in the house in working condition. This once again confirms the reliability of steel soles.

Ceramics is an aesthetically pleasing material, it is comfortable to iron with such an iron, but you should not count on long-term operation of the device. What is better to buy? Definitely steel iron.

Chrome-plated stainless steel models are more expensive, but if possible, you should buy just such a device.

  1. The steam function is very useful. When choosing an iron with a steamer, you need to pay attention to the number of holes on the sole: the more, the better.
  2. In the presence of a steamer, the self-cleaning function will not be superfluous.
  3. The model must have at least 3 temperature settings.
  4. The thinner the edge of the sole, the easier it will be to iron the area between the buttons.
  5. Before buying, it is recommended to turn on the iron and observe how evenly it heats up.
  6. A short cord will make ironing difficult. The length of the wire must be at least 2 meters.
  7. The rounded back of the sole prevents the fabric from creasing during the reverse stroke.
  8. The sole must be checked for the presence of chips, scratches and other factory defects.
  9. The rubber coated handle is more comfortable and non-slip.

It is not worth saving on buying an iron for the home. Firstly, a household appliance is bought for more than one year, and secondly, its main task is to take care of clothes and other textiles in the house. With a high-quality iron, ironing will be easy, pleasant, fast. Most popular and reputable manufacturers provide a guarantee for their models, which is also very important. Therefore, it is worth choosing branded devices, of course, not forgetting the above recommendations.

If you have to buy a new iron soon, you will probably pay attention to the length of the wire, the steam and self-cleaning functions, and even appearance. But from my own experience I can say that this is not the most important thing. It is much more important to choose an iron soleplate that meets your requirements.

There will be plenty of options for this. And you need to be able to understand them without being distracted by the enthusiastic advertising of manufacturers vying with each other touting exactly their product.

Sole shape - which is more convenient?

Take a look at the first picture again. See how the size and shape of the ironing surface can differ? When choosing from them, think about what you iron more often with your own hands - bed linen or blouses with ruffles and pleats and small children's things.

In the first case, what more area soles and the wider it is, the better. But complex in cut and small things are more convenient to smooth out with a narrow iron with a sharp nose.


Pay attention to the following features:

  • Number of steam outlets. The more of them, the better and faster clothes will be steamed. There are only 13 of them on my iron - this is not enough. And there are no holes at the very tip, which is also inconvenient for smoothing out small wrinkles.

  • Shape of the back of the sole. The rounded one glides back over the fabric more easily without wrinkling the fabric.

  • edge thickness. The thinner it is, the easier it is to smooth the fabric around the buttons, turning the work plane directly under them. On modern irons, a special groove is made around the entire perimeter of the sole.

For those who iron everything, it will be more difficult to choose an iron. If possible, take two at once - for clothes and bed linen.

Which material is better

To begin with, let's define the qualities of the base material that are most important to you:

  • Good glide. This is the basic requirement for this household appliance. Any additional functions and a chic appearance will be meaningless if the iron clings to the fabric and leaves hooks on it.

  • Heating and cooling rate. It is important for someone that the iron heats up quickly, while someone is in no hurry and simply does not pay attention to this parameter.

  • Impact on tissue. The sole material must respond sensitively and quickly to temperature changes, otherwise delicate fabrics can be damaged.

  • Durability. It depends on the strength of the base material, its resistance to scratching and pliability to cleaning. Here everyone has a different approach: one will buy a cheaper device, and in a year he will change it without regrets. And the other will immediately take a quality iron, and he will not be embarrassed by the high price.

Now you can consider different types soles and decide which one is best for you.

Steel or aluminum

Working plates of absolutely all irons are metal- steel or aluminium. This is a base, which can be an alloy with some chemical element or have an additional coating, spraying. That is, if you see the adjective "teflon" or "ceramic" in the name, this means only the coating of the sole.

About him a little later, but now let's see which soles of which material are more suitable for your requirements.

Let's start with steel. Stainless steel is the most common option. Its advantages:

  • Corrosion resistance;
  • Resistance to mechanical damage;
  • Durability;
  • Perfect surface smoothness;
  • Affordable price.

The disadvantages include not too fast heating and long cooling. And also an impressive weight.


Despite the strength of stainless steel, it is still quite easily scratched, especially if you accidentally run an iron on the metal fittings of clothing or clean the sole with abrasives.

To improve strength and resistance to corrosion, manufacturers are constantly improving alloys and inventing various coatings. For example:

  • Do outsole made of steel with chromium or nickel addition. You can distinguish them by color: chrome-plated surface has a bluish tint, and nickel-plated - golden.

  • Brown's Saphir is considered the most durable stainless steel sole. She has spraying out very solid mineral corundum, to the genus of which sapphires belong. But do not think that this is really a cover of precious stone. For the manufacture of irons, corundum is obtained synthetically. A beautiful name"sapphire" is used as a publicity stunt.

The aluminum sole is much lighter than steel, it heats up quickly and cools down just as quickly. And the cost of such irons attracts with its democratic nature. But before you choose them, analyze all the shortcomings of this material:

  • Aluminum is a very soft metal. The work surface made of aluminum is easily damaged by dropping the iron or simply hitting buttons and buttons on clothes with it.
  • Too fast heating can also lead to damage to both the device itself and the fabric. If you do not pay attention to the set mode, matter can be burned, melted or left on it. shiny footprints. She, in turn, will burn to the sole.

As a result of the appearance of dents, scratches and soot, the iron will no longer cope with its functions. After all, what sole does not slip? Only the one that has lost its smoothness. Moreover, it can leave hooks and dirty spots on clothes.

Fortunately, now almost no irons are produced with a clean aluminum coated. Anyway, I don't see them for sale. It has long been replaced by heat-treated anodized aluminum soles. Or pure aluminium, but steel coated.


Choosing a coating

It's time to tell you what kind of coating is done on a steel or aluminum base, and what it gives:

  • Teflon. Everyone who has Teflon pans knows perfectly well that nothing sticks to this material and does not burn. But exactly until chips and cracks appear on it. The same applies to a Teflon-coated iron: it easily glides over the fabric, does not stick to it. However, it must be handled very carefully so as not to scratch the surface. For example, it cannot be placed on a metal stand, which is equipped with inexpensive ironing boards.

  • Enamel. Heavy-duty enamel, which looks like polished granite, unlike Teflon, is not so easily scratched. The enamelled sole also glides well, leaving no wrinkles or hooks on the fabric. She cleans up great. But over time, it starts to crack.

  • Ceramics. And again we recall dishes with a similar coating. If you choose - ceramics or stainless steel - the first is much more convenient. It is easy to clean, does not allow sticking, unlike steel cookware. The same applies to irons. But the slightest chips on the surface of this fragile material can lead to complete peeling of the coating.

  • cermet. This composite material is much more wear resistant than just ceramics. The instruction manual for ceramic-metal devices no longer requires such careful treatment as for Teflon or ceramic products.

Conclusion

Now, knowing all the features, positive and negative properties of each material, you can decide which iron soleplate is best for you. If durability and reliability are a priority, choose titanium or sapphire-coated stainless steel. If high non-stick properties - Teflon or ceramics on aluminum.

If you haven't decided yet, you can get Additional information from the video in this article. And if you have already chosen and are satisfied with the result, share your feedback with us in the comments.

It is always nice to look at a neat person in ironed clothes. This condition helps to make a good iron. The word "good" means correct form And quality material grounds. It's no secret that the whole power of the device lies precisely in this. So what better sole iron, let's figure it out right now.

By what criteria do we choose?

Like the most important element, the soleplate must fulfill the following requirements:

  • act carefully;
  • have little friction;
  • have protection against damage;
  • be strong;
  • heat up evenly.

Which iron soleplate is best? Let's find out by considering one more criteria.

There are two criteria for the soleplate of the iron:

  • correct, practical and convenient form;
  • High quality material for easy gliding.

Considering the shape of the iron, you need to pay attention to the sharpness of the spout and the area of ​​​​the sole.

Sharpness of the spout

If you need to iron small baby items often, Men's shirts, women's blouses with a beautiful finish, then choose the sole of the iron with a sharp-looking nose. If you have a lot of things in your wardrobe large sizes, then it will be more convenient to iron with an iron with a blunt (rounded) nose.

Large (wide) sole is good for ironing bed sets. The wide soleplate allows you to save not only ironing time, but also electrical energy.

The material of the soleplate of the iron is more difficult to choose than the shape.

Depending on the material of the sole, there are:

  • ceramic;
  • aluminum;
  • stainless;
  • teflon;
  • composite;
  • titanium.

Ceramic sole

Only a few manufacturers make ceramic soles for their irons.

Positive properties:

  • slides easily;
  • does not wrinkle the fabric;
  • does not cling to things;
  • easy to clean.

Negative properties:

  • brittleness of the material;
  • if a scratch (chip) appears on the sole, ironing will be more difficult.

Due to the fragility of the sole, small scratches often form. Even such a minor defect gives the hostess a lot of inconvenience when ironing. The only way out is to be very vigilant and careful.

There are a large number of irons with ceramic soles on sale. There are no ceramic soles without impurities. Their composition necessarily includes one of the materials: durable steel, durable aluminum or an alloy of materials.

When buying, choose models from Tefal, Vitek, Bosch.

Metal-ceramic sole

Increasingly, cermets are being used in production. The demand for irons with this coating is high. The cover works well when ironing. The surface is cleaned with a regular sponge. Metal-ceramic stands out significantly in terms of design.

Surface heating in ceramic-metal irons occurs with the help of spirals that provide uniform heating. Sometimes manufacturers use heating elements. Despite their positive sides, cermets are easily subject to deformation and mechanical damage.

Firms that produce household appliances, tried to deal with these shortcomings. The result of the struggle was the release for sale of models of irons with transverse stripes on the sole. They were made using cast steel. These devices coped well with overdried laundry and easily resisted damage. The tip of the iron gets hot. Therefore, the sole allowed to conscientiously iron all hard-to-reach places.

If you want to buy a ceramic-metal iron, it is better to buy a Tefal appliance. The company has been using this coating in its irons for a long time and managed to correct most of the errors in the production of new products.

So, ceramics or other material, it's up to you.

Aluminum is the very first material that was used in the manufacture of irons.

Positive traits:

  • ease;
  • high thermal conductivity;
  • fast heating;
  • maneuverability;
  • acceptable cost;
  • fast cooling.

Negative qualities:

  • easily deformed;
  • scratches quickly;
  • leaves a sheen on the fabric.

It is necessary to iron things with irons with aluminum soles only through gauze.

This iron sole material has significant disadvantages. However, it continues to be used in production due to its availability and low cost.

With which sole it is better to purchase a device, manufacturers are well aware. They are constantly trying to improve the soleplate by coating it with various additional materials.

In order for the aluminum sole of the iron to have the qualities of a ceramic product, it is coated with ceramics. As a result, such a double sole glides well and irons synthetics easily. The device leaves no marks and remains lightweight.

Another way to improve the quality of the sole is to apply an oxide film (anodizing). The sole is golden in color and lasts longer.

If the question is about buying an aluminum iron, then it is better to choose a device with an anodized sole. Manufacturers such as Philips, Rowenta have proven themselves well.

Stainless sole

Which iron soleplate is the most popular, you ask? Stainless steel (stainless steel).

Positive properties:

  • glides easily and quickly over the fabric;
  • perfectly smoothes;
  • durable;
  • resistant to corrosion;
  • affordable price.

Negative properties:

  • iron is heavy.

Manufacturers are trying to make stainless soles more practical. In this, an element such as chromium helps them well. By applying chrome to the sole, the iron is given durability and protection against corrosion.

An iron with a stainless sole is the most profitable a budget option.

Braun, for example, uses a special sapphire powder. As a result, the soles of irons have:

  • durability;
  • super strength;
  • very good sliding properties.

This coating has been specially developed for irons with stainless soles. Sapphire plating very well improves the quality of the product. Small wrinkles and difficult folds are smoothed out perfectly.

If an ordinary stainless steel iron is cheap, then with a sapphire coating it immediately becomes more expensive. To understand that the material has been processed for greater durability and better ironing quality, look for the designations "Careeza" or "Anodilium".

The widest range of models is in the line with this coating. Choose between Rolsen, Scarlett, Vitek, Panasonic and many more.

Teflon sole

Teflon coating is similar in features and quality to aluminum. Therefore, the answer to our question: “Which soleplate is better?” not found yet.

Positive properties:

  • ease of sliding;
  • good ironing of the material;
  • non-stick coating;

Negative properties:

  • the surface is easily scratched.

Due to the non-stick surface, the soleplate is easy to clean.

What other properties distinguish a non-stick coating: such a coating cannot be burned and spoil the material. Choose Kenwood, Bork, Atlanta and Unit.

Composite outsole

The fragility of the surface of its predecessors pushed the manufacturers to create this sole. Composite materials have been observed to be stronger than ceramics and aluminum. In addition, they perfectly withstand damage from metal objects.

Positive properties:

  • fast sliding;
  • high strength;
  • wear resistance.

The material is so strong that it easily withstands damage from metal locks and buttons.

You can see the models famous brand Philips.

Titanium outsole

Which iron soleplate is better and more expensive? Definitely titanium. There are several models of irons with this coating on the market. The fact is that titanium is an expensive material. If you do not look at the price, then such an iron will please you with excellent quality and durability for a long time. The cost of the device is its only disadvantage.

positive properties:

  • brilliant slip;
  • good thermal conductivity;
  • impact strength;
  • durability.

Models with a similar sole are produced by Philips, Panasonic, Bork.

Other operations

In addition to ironing, what kind of sole should be or what should it be able to do? In everyday life, several more operations are used, such as ironing, ironing, steaming and ironing. If your model can do any of the above, then you are very lucky.

In addition to the listed models, you can find irons with interchangeable soles on the market. The type of sole is selected depending on the type of material. Such universal option will last longer than others and will be easy to use.

How to choose a sole

Pay attention to:

  • Back. If the back of the sole is rounded, then the iron will not wrinkle the fabric (especially when moving in reverse side);
  • Nose. If the sole of the iron has a sharp nose, then it will easily iron hard-to-reach places.
  • The presence of holes. A large number of holes on the base allows you to better steam things. It is especially convenient to use this property when ironing heavily wrinkled fabrics.
  • Special groove. Modern irons equipped with a thin edge. This allows you to easily bring the device under the buttons. In this case, the button will not melt from high temperature.

Video clip about the types of soles

You will find out what types of soles exist and listen to tips on choosing an iron:

Which iron sole to buy is up to you. Absolutely all materials have minuses and, of course, pluses. The iron and its soleplate must meet the requirements of your family. If you want to save money, it is better to buy an iron with an aluminum or Teflon soleplate. If price doesn't matter, get an iron with a titanium option.

In contact with

Modern manufacturers offer irons for every taste with a lot of "bells and whistles: Beautiful design, touch control, self-cleaning, etc. But the most important thing in an iron is the soleplate. It is she who comes into contact with the fabric, which means that she plays key role in the process of ironing. Manufacturers use different coatings for the soles of irons, and when choosing them, eyes widen.

  • Sliding on fabric;
  • Damage resistance;
  • Speed ​​and uniformity of heating;
  • Iron weight.

The choice of coverage will also depend on the price. The cost of materials can vary greatly. If everyone had a lot of money, we would just buy the best and not suffer from the choice. But due to the limited budget, they are often forced to look for the best option for price and quality. What will we do.

The best soleplate material

All iron soles are made from either aluminum or steel. Manufacturers seek to improve the characteristics of the base material by coating it with all kinds of coatings. This is how new types of coatings appear.

Aluminum


  • Heats up quickly;
  • A light weight;
  • Low price.
  • Easy to damage;
  • fragility;
  • Leaves shine on fabrics.

Aluminum is a light and cheap metal. It has a high thermal conductivity, so the aluminum coating quickly heats up and cools down. If you need to quickly iron your shirt before work, this option is suitable.

The custom of ironing woolen garments through wet gauze came about precisely because of aluminum-coated irons, as they leave a shiny sheen on things.

Unfortunately, in addition to high thermal conductivity, aluminum is soft. You can easily scratch the sole on the buttons and zippers on things. Scratches will begin to cling to the fabric, the slip will worsen. And if you mix up the ironing mode, due to the rapid heating, you can completely ruin the fabric. Melted synthetics are difficult to clean from an aluminum sole. Aluminum is typical for budget models.

Eloxal

Manufacturers are trying to solve the problems of aluminum soles. Braun has launched a line of irons with a soleplate made using Eloxal technology. The sole is made of the same aluminum, but during the manufacture it is oxidized by an electrolyte solution. The metal becomes stronger and resists corrosion. At the same time, the cost of the iron does not change, but the quality of ironing and the service life increase.

Stainless steel


  • Good ironing quality;
  • Strength and durability.
  • Heavy weight;
  • Long and uneven heating.

Steel iron soles are the exact opposite of aluminum soles. They are stronger, do not scratch, last a long time. Glide well on fabric. But they are more expensive than aluminum ones, they have more weight, for a woman they may seem heavy. Steel has an average thermal conductivity, so an iron with such a soleplate will heat up for a long time and unevenly.

Steel coating - good value"price - quality", but manufacturers in pursuit of the client are constantly coming up with improvements for him, creating new alloys and coatings.

Ceramics and cermets


  • Excellent glide;
  • Fast and uniform heating;
  • Easy to clean.
  • Fragility.

Ceramic coatings have appeared on the market recently. The base of the sole is made of aluminium, steel or alloys, while the ceramic covers the surface in contact with the fabric. Handles ironing better than steel. Holds temperature well and slips.

Ceramics are easy to clean - just wipe the surface with a damp cloth. At the same time, although ceramics are hard, but fragile, chips and scratches will lead to delamination of the ceramic coating. Over time, hard-to-clean deposits can form.

steamglide


Phillips decided to work out the weaknesses ceramic coating and released a sole with Steamglide technology. The main material is metal-ceramic or glass-ceramic (depending on the model). The coating is positioned as having high wear resistance and providing perfect glide over the fabric.

The entire surface of the sole is strewn with holes of different diameters. The idea is that the iron does not touch the fabric, but rather slides on the steam cushion created by the holes. Under the action of steam, the fabric is perfectly smoothed.

Durilium


Durilium was developed by Tefal. The sole is made of cermet. Like the Phillips, it has holes all over its surface to create a vapor cushion. In addition, active longitudinal lines are applied, which, together with the steam holes, ensure a perfect glide.

What is better ceramics or cermets?

Ceramic-metal is stronger and more wear-resistant than ceramic, but it also costs more.

enamel


  • High strength;
  • Good glide;
  • Cleans up well.
  • fragility.

If the surface of the soleplate of the iron resembles polished granite, then you have an enamel coating. It glides well and is excellently cleaned with a piece. soft tissue, it is difficult to scratch it. But over time, such a coating itself begins to crack, chips appear on it, and it can peel off.

Teflon


  • Suitable for delicate fabrics;
  • Excellent glide.
  • Easy to damage;
  • Washes off over time.

Teflon coated soles are famous for careful attitude to the fabric. Nothing burns or sticks to them. The coating provides good glide, suitable for delicate fabrics. It is almost impossible to spoil the fabric with Teflon. Provided that the coating is intact and does not contain scratches.
It is very easy to scratch Teflon. In addition, the Teflon coating wears off over time.

titanium


  • High reliability and wear resistance;
  • High quality ironing.
  • High price;
  • Heavy weight;
  • Long heating.

soles with titanium coated the most expensive. Titanium is used for construction spaceships. Titanium coating is almost impossible to scratch, even if you do it on purpose. It provides good glide. True, titanium has a low thermal conductivity, so it takes more electricity and time to heat the iron. If something is burnt to the coating, just wait until the iron has cooled down, and you can safely remove the carbon deposits.

Saphir

Titanium-coated irons have high strength and ironing quality, but are expensive. The Saphir outsole developed by Braun is considered cheaper. Do not think that the coating of the iron is made of sapphires. It is an alloy of chromium, zinc, nickel and aluminum, which is several times stronger than steel. Due to the strength, similar to the strength of sapphire, the coating received its name, and is itself polished with sapphire chips. The manufacturer guarantees a minimum of eight years of service life of the iron with everyday use.

Worth a minute and a half next video with an overview of the most popular types of coatings:

Sole shape and hole

The shape of the sole is chosen based on what things often have to be ironed. If children's clothes, men's shirts or clothes full of frills, it is better to take a narrow, elongated iron with pointed nose. So it will be more convenient to iron hard-to-reach places.

If these are large canvases of fabric, curtains or bedding, fit wide iron with a blunt nose. The shape of the back of the sole also matters. The rounded one will slide more easily and won't pick up the fabric if you move backwards. irons with large area Soles save energy and ironing time.

As a rule, all soles of irons are flat, but there are models with a slightly rounded sole, like the Panasonic NI-WT980LTW model. The manufacturer claims that this form makes ironing easier due to easier sliding, although this looks more like a marketing ploy.


Let's talk about holes. Holes are needed to release steam. Accordingly, the more holes, the more steam the iron will release, and the better the fabric will be ironed. It is desirable that the holes are located over the entire area of ​​​​the sole. Notice if there are holes in the spout. They will help to steam complex small items of clothing, such as ruffles.

Large oval holes are designed to supply powerful steam streams. Small round ones create an air cushion between the fabric and the soleplate for better glide. Each manufacturer has developed its own hole pattern.

If you have reached these lines, it means that you have read the article to the end and now you know almost everything about the soles of irons. Now you can easily choose the coverage that suits your needs and budget.