Irons

How to choose an iron

A good iron glides easily, gives enough steam and does not drip. The difference between a cheap and a good model shows most in the soleplate and the steam — choose by those.

• Power. 1800–2200 W heats up in a minute and suits everyday ironing; 2400–3200 W holds its temperature on thick denim and linen and produces more steam.
• Steam. Continuous steam of 25–50 g/min smooths ordinary fabrics; a steam boost of 150–250 g/min straightens creased bedding and trouser creases. Vertical steam refreshes clothes on the hanger.
• Soleplate. Ceramic glides easily and does not scratch; Philips SteamGlide and Tefal Durilium resist wear; stainless steel is durable but heavier. A pointed tip gets between buttons.
• Water tank and limescale. 250–350 ml is enough for a pile of laundry; an anti-scale system and self-clean extend the life. Estonia's water is hard — choose a model with a scale collector.
• Steam station or iron. A steam generator (Philips PerfectCare, Polti Vaporella) delivers 5–8 bar of pressure and 120 g/min of continuous steam — a family's weekly wash is done in half the time. A compact iron is lighter and fits in a cupboard.
• Safety. Auto shut-off after 30 seconds on its side and 8 minutes upright; anti-drip keeps fabric dry at low temperatures.

Irons in our range

Steam irons — Philips 2000, 3000, 5000, 7000 and 8000 series (SteamGlide soleplate, steam boost up to 250 g/min), Tefal Virtuo and Easygliss, Gorenje 2200–2600 W, ETA Sophia and Kiara, Camry and Adler — the classic for every home. Steam stations Philips 7000 and 9000 series (up to 3100 W) and Polti Vaporella for families and large loads. The cordless iron ETA Kiara charges on its base. Travel irons by Cecotec, Camry and Tristar at 1000–1200 W with a folding handle fit in a suitcase. A dry iron ETA 1000 W — simple and steam-free.

Brands

Philips is the market leader in irons — OptimalTemp technology irons every fabric at one temperature with no adjustment. Tefal Durilium soleplates and the Easygliss range are known for their glide. Polti is the Italian steam-station specialist, Gorenje and ETA offer good value, and Adler, Camry and Mesko are the cheapest way to get a steam iron home.

Related products

To refresh dresses and suits see garment steamers; for drying laundry, tumble dryers and washing machines. The full selection is in home appliances.

Frequently asked questions

Iron or garment steamer? An iron gives sharp creases and smooth shirts; a steamer is faster for refreshing dresses, jackets and curtains. Many households use both.

Is a steam station worth it? Yes, if you iron more than an hour a week or lots of bedding — the steam is 3–4 times stronger and the iron itself is light because the water sits in a separate tank.

What water should I use? Tap water, which is hard in Estonia, is best mixed half and half with distilled water. Pure distilled water on its own is not recommended by manufacturers.

Why does the iron drip? The soleplate has not yet reached steam temperature — wait for the light to go out. If it drips when hot, the tank is overfilled or limescale is blocking the vents.

What is OptimalTemp? A Philips technology that keeps soleplate temperature and steam at a level where silk and denim iron on the same setting without scorching.