Best Iron

If something requires ironing, I typically don't buy it.

I do utilize my dry cleaners... they come by every Tuesday and Friday for pickup and delivery.

All of hubby's shirts are dry cleaned.

I don't iron, sorry. I buy hubby no iron shirts. I loath ironing.

My Rowenta broke a while back and I have bought several to replace it. I can honestly say that ALL irons are designed by men who want to torture women or by women who have never held an iron in their hand.

I will give you some good advice and hopefully the links with pictures will explain the errors on the newer irons so you can avoid some serious issues.

*********************************************************
Take this iron for instance. Every time you push it forward or pull it back you are hitting something with your hand. Pretty soon you have tender spots on both sides of your hand and you get pretty frustrated when ironing actually causes you pain.

http://www.sharkclean.com/Shark-Professional-Electronic-I...

*******************************************************

This type has the temperature setting on top, right where each and every time you push it forward you switch the temperature you want it on. It's very frustrating when you're ironing a 100% cotton shirt and you keep having to stop and readjust the temperature and wait for it to heat up again.

http://www.blackanddeckerappliances.com/products/irons/st...

***************************************************
I loved my Rowenta iron.I really like a heavier iron, I feel like I do less of the work if the iron has substance. I wish I could afford to buy another. But I had to go to Walmart and get one they carried.

So when you go to the store you need to imagine it in your hand, if possible take it out and hold it. Imagine it full of water and move it back and forth a few times. Is it comfortable in your hands, is it a good grip for you, do you feel like you could hold it for a while and push and pull it?

I used to have a Rowenta professional iron for sewing. I loved it and it produced a lot of steam but it had a Teflon plate that would get caked with sizing and drag. I couldn't be cleaning it constantly so I thought I'd invest in a "cheaper" Rowenta with the shiny plate. I HATE it. It barely steams. I've considered returning it many times (every time someone comments on Bed Bath and Beyonds liberal return policy ;-)

So if you want A LOT of steam I would say to buy one of the more expensive professional level Rowenta's.

I may just have to do that myself...

I have a Procter-Silex iron; I've used it for the past 24 years (oh, now I feel old).

These days I'm a wash and wear gal, so I use it mostly for sewing projects. If you want to keep the plate clean on the bottom, use a piece of tissue paper or thin cotton between the plate and any sizing/starch as a barrier. I mostly use the steam setting-- it's still going strong!

I have just a little cheap-o one that I bought at Walmart and it is the BEST that I've EVER had! (I've had several due to my loving appliances of all types!)