When it comes to ironing your clothes, you want something that gets the job done but isn’t too much of a hassle (like the dusty one that’s hanging out in your closet).
Are you curious about what qualities you should be looking for in an iron to guarantee a sophisticated, wrinkle-free look in no time? Here we highlight these qualities and everything you need to know about how to find the best iron.
Attention: Use discount code "SHOP10" at checkout to save 10% on The Nori Press!
What Is an Iron?
An iron is a small appliance that uses heat to remove wrinkles and creases from clothing. More specifically, the heat and the weight of the iron loosens the ties between the chain of molecules in polymer fiber materials, resulting in a stretched fiber that then holds its new shape when cooled.
The appliance was created in the late 1800s, with several variations stemming from it. Over the past few centuries, it’s gone by several different names, such as the flatiron, sad iron, box ironing, and goffering iron, but you probably know of it just as an iron.
When you think about irons, you’re probably envisioning a table-like board and a heated device with a handle attached to the top. That’s what modern ironing appliances look like, although newer models do have different appearances, styles, and benefits.
Clothing irons were once a staple in everyone’s home; however, over the years, they have declined in popularity. People have varying opinions on whether or not they really need irons anymore, while some have opted for alternative methods of smoothing out wrinkles, such as wrinkle releaser sprays.
Nonetheless, nothing beats a freshly ironed outfit to give off a good impression on your first day of work, or even just to give yourself a more confident, put-together look. There are so many benefits to owning an iron, so if you’re someone who wants to make the purchase, we can walk you through how to find the best one.
How To Find the Best Iron
A lot of irons today have the same or similar features. Still, some work better than others, which is why you have to be particular about your choice in irons if you want to get that perfectly smooth, wrinkle-free look for your clothes.
There are a few factors that you should consider before selecting a clothing iron. Read on as we review some of the major points of consideration that can help you find the best one.
Dry Irons vs. Steam Irons
The two most common types of irons today are dry irons and steam irons. Experts recommend buying steam irons because of their effectiveness in removing creases and wrinkles, especially in difficult materials like denim or linen. For this reason, most modern clothing irons actually have some steaming capabilities.
There are many pros and cons of dry irons and steam irons. Dry irons, for example, you can use on many, if not all, fabrics. You can still iron silk with steam irons, but make sure you have the right setting on your iron.
On the other hand, though, steam irons have a steam and spray option which aids in the quick, easy, and effective removal of wrinkles. Additionally, steam irons usually come with additional features, such as temperature control, which dry irons lack. Unfortunately, poor-quality steam irons can be quite heavy, require more energy to use and clean, and can leave marks on your clothing if used improperly.
When looking for the best iron, it’s important to consider all of these qualities to determine if they fit what you want to get out of it.
The Features
If we were to look specifically at the features of dry irons and steam irons, you’d see that they each come with their own unique set of qualities, and one may be better suited for you over the other. Here are the key differences between the features of dry irons and steam irons.
Water Tank:
In order to produce steam, steam irons require water. Therefore, the key difference between steam and dry irons is the presence, or lack thereof, of a water tank.
If you have an iron that doesn’t require you to fill a water tank, then it’s definitely a dry iron, as steam irons are the ones that come with water tanks. Because of this, you don’t have to worry about making sure your steam iron always has water in its tank and is ready to go (plus worrying about your iron leaking water).
The downside to dry irons, however, is that you likely won’t have as much of an effective or easy ironing experience. The water tank allows for a steam iron to emit proper steam, which is the key to removing stubborn creases and wrinkles. Dry irons still get the creases out, but not with the same ease as steam irons.
Steam Output and Soleplate:
In order to emit the steam that’s produced, steam irons have outputs. Some come with several holes to allow for a greater amount of steam release. The benefit to this is that you don’t have to re-iron your clothing over and over again. The steam takes care of it efficiently and all in one go.
Meanwhile, since dry irons don’t produce steam and therefore don’t need steam holes, the soleplate of the iron has a flat and smooth appearance. The best part about that is that it’s fairly easy to clean. Meanwhile, some steam irons require more effort, including cleaning the steam holes to clear potential blockages.
Spray Mist:
Some steam irons come with a spray mist which is used to dampen clothing to make ironing out wrinkles easier. Dry irons usually don’t come with this feature, and these appliances require more effort in getting out stubborn wrinkles.
Versatility:
To put it bluntly, a steam iron can function as a dry iron if needed, but never the other way around.
A great thing about steam irons is that it is incredibly easy for a steam iron to double as a dry iron—literally, all you have to do is empty the water tank. This can be really beneficial when ironing satin or silk clothing, as they require dry ironing. But if you only have a dry iron, you won’t be able to enjoy the versatility that steam irons have.
Your Needs
At the end of the day, the features of the iron that you select should fit your lifestyle and individual needs, not the other way around.
Using all the information we just covered, you have to consider how this new appliance can help you in life rather than hinder you. For example, if you intend on using the iron every day, a steam iron would be your best bet, especially considering that its versatility gives it the ability to iron any material. Steam irons can also iron multiple clothes at once, which is a beneficial quality for those early mornings when you’re in a rush to get to work.
On the other hand, if you’re planning to only use the iron every now and then and don’t have the energy or capacity to handle a heavy and high-maintenance iron, a dry iron would suit your lifestyle better.
Nori to the Rescue
With all of this in mind, how exactly do you find the best iron? The answer might just be right in front of you.
As mentioned earlier, newer models of irons have different appearances, styles, and benefits. You may even find that some newer irons have tackled the disadvantages of traditional irons in an attempt to create more efficient, lighter, and easier-to-manage products.
Enter: Nori.
The Nori Press is an easy-to-use appliance that utilizes the same technology as a steamer and an iron but in a new and improved form. Its appearance is very similar to that of a hair straightener—in fact, the product was inspired by it!
The two heated plates use a clamping mechanism to apply heat and pressure simultaneously to both sides of the clothing, thus removing any and all creases and wrinkles in an efficient manner. Not to mention, it has a pointed tip for hard-to-reach places and comes with six fabric-specific heat settings (silk, wool, poly, denim, cotton, and linen).
Consider the pros and cons of steam irons and dry irons that we mentioned earlier. The Nori Press has all the great qualities of these appliances and none of the bad ones. This product is extremely easy to use, clean, and maintain and is both lightweight and portable. It comes with a plethora of extra features that make the ironing process even smoother. It can efficiently and effectively get out any and all stubborn wrinkles.
On top of that, you don’t have to worry about leaks! When using it as a steamer, the Nori Press has a small hole in the back that can be filled with water. However, we really recommend using the Facial Fabric—a product that serves as a sanitizing agent and leaves your clothes with a subtle fragrance after ironing. The appliance holds 29 milliliters and comes with a steam reservoir designed for controlled steam release.
All of this, along with other features, works to ensure no leaking or spitting of water when used correctly.
Shop Nori!
Nori truly is a key to all your ironing needs. No matter what day, time, or occasion, the Nori Press is the best product to use to smooth out any rough edges (or, in this case, wrinkles and creases) and finalize your look.
Sources:
Smoothing Iron – 1882 | Magnet Academy
Can You Iron Silk? | Sewing Is Cool
How to Make a Great First Impression | Business Know How
Attention: Use discount code "SHOP10" at checkout to save 10% on The Nori Press!
