Tell Me About Your Iron?

[NicoleBridget]

I think it's time for a new one...  I was steam-ironing my perfectly white linen when my Black and Decker decided to start sneezing out yellow droplets leaving nasty marks!  So I started poking around online and reading reviews and I just don't know what to pick.  Self cleaning sounds good, upright steaming too, non DRIPPING seems especially important now, but what else?  Do you have a brand or even model that you would recommend?

[gem]

Well, I'd start by giving your current iron a good cleaning. You can use something like Lime Away or CLR (and Google directions for how to use them to clean an iron).

BUT! I absolutely *adore* my Sunbeam iron. I'm actually on my second (I iron work clothes almost every day), and if this one ever kicks out (which seems unlikely; I've worked the poor thing to death, dropped it and cracked the case, etc, and it's still working beautifully), I'll get another one. It cost about $30, puts out TONS of steam, gets hot in the time it takes me to grab a shirt from the closet, and (a feature I consider crucial!) has no steam vents at the tip, so you don't burn your fingers manipulating fabric/buttons/pleats/etc.  I've used the super-expensive fancy only-sold-to-seamstresses irons at classes (used Rowentas, Reliables, and another brand I'm blanking on at the moment), and I *still* like my Sunbeam better. 

[Butch]

I have a GE right now.  Pretty happy with it.

I have been through many irons, including Hamilton Beach, Black and Decker, Sunbeam, and Rowena (and probably a few others).  I have learned that the most important thing is having a non-stick soleplate, like Silverstone or Teflon.  They clean up very easily, so neither starch nor scorch will transfer to your clothing.

If you don't want the yellow stains from the steam, do not use tap water.  Also, wait for your iron to heat up before you use the steam funtion.  Or, if you are using a setting cooler than the steam range, be sure to empty your iron's reservoir so the scaley water doesn't bubble out!

I've never chemically cleaned my steam vents.  I would purchase a new one, and keep the old one in the garage for projects that would dirty my primary iron.  Try Gem's suggestion, it'll probably save you the expense of a new iron.

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

I have a self cleaning SHARK iron that cost me over $80. Steams wonderfully, though it does suck up the water ina  hurry if I am doing a lot of steaming.

As for water, use DISTILLED!! Minerals have been taken out so there is no calcium buildup or rust.

With other irons I have had, including Sunbeam, I have used straight White Distilled Vinegar, Steam over scraps until all the vinegar has been used up. The calcium deposits are gone. Also works wonders on Coffee Makers and Cheaper too!!

[Kate XXXXXX]

I have a steam generator type with a tank for the water.  Mine is Barbie pink and white!  But I got it cheap...  The newer version is boring black and silver.  It's a Morphy Richards Jet Stream.  The best thing about it (other than the great heat and the superb amounts of steam) is that the liter sized tank can be pulled off and refilled without having to wait for the iron to cool and depressurize before being refilled.  It only heats a small dollop of water at a time rather than the complete tankful.

[NicoleBridget]

Oh THANK you guys!  First of all, I'm so happy to hear that I don't necessarily need a top of the line "sewing" iron to get the job done, but you've also encouraged me to just clean my iron before shelling out money for a new one.  It IS a new iron so I was kinda peeved when it put a couple yellow spots on my linen but I had it coming, I see that now.  I let it sit with the same TAP water in it for a loooooong time.  I now have a nice big jug of distilled water set aside for cleaning it and steaming from this point forward.  Thanks for all your input, lesson learned!

And I took the money I might have spent on a new iron and upgraded my $15 wobbly old ironing board.