Do you have an iron you particularly like?

7 years ago

My iron bit the dust last night. I filled the water tank and it all dripped out the bottom. At least it is in time to add it to my Christmas list. Which one do you like? I prefer to ask for one <$50. so not a Rowenta.

This is presuming you still iron. I know some people don't. My son's preferred method is to throw the item of clothing back in the dryer.

Featured Answer

Lars

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

We were at BB&B yesterday so that DB Kevin could buy a new waterpick, and I told him I wanted to look at irons. He decided to buy me the Rowenta DW9280, as it had the best features and was also the most ergonomic, especially for pressing the buttons/trigger for spray and steam. The spray trigger is really nice, and I will probably start using that instead of the spray water bottle I've been using, which has been getting the fabrics too wet. I don't mind refilling the water container. I will keep my B&D Classic as a back-up, however, and may use that iron when I do not want steam - I will have to see how I feel about that. The B&D iron has an aluminum soleplate, and aluminum can sometimes make black marks on fabrics, if it is not cleaned and maintained properly.

Kevin bought me the iron partly because as payment for altering his new cashmere suit, but I also told him and this iron would be better for taking wrinkles out of his suit, if that needs to be done. I always use a press cloth with cashmere and wool, and I will continue to do that with the new iron, but it may not be as necessary.

I would not have been looking at irons if I had not seen this thread! I did not really need a new iron, but it will be nice having one. The store in Westchester did not have inventory, and so they are shipping one to our house with shipping no charge.

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Comments (27)

bac717
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
You can get a Rowenta iron at Bed Bath and Beyond for under $50. I have this one. $49.99 and then use a 20% coupon and you're at $42 plus tax.

Rowenta DW2170
KATHY
7 years ago
Nope, never found an iron I like. :)
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PRO
Anglophilia
7 years ago
The ONLY iron to own is a Rowenta! I spent a lot of money over the years on multiple cheap irons - hated them all. Finally bit the bullet and got a Rowenta for about $98 nearly 17 years ago, and am still using it with nary a problem. It's worth every penny and you'll have it for years and years.
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Beverly Hills
7 years ago
Haven't ironed in years - wrinkle release is great. One spray, a little stretch and no more wrinkles.
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joaniepoanie
7 years ago
I have this Black and Decker and like it a lot. Had a Rowenta years ago and liked it but DH threw it out thinking it was broken. Then he bought a cheapy Sunbeam that I put up with for years since I don't iron much. Finally had it one day but didn't want a pricey Rowenta since I don't use it a lot. This one is heavy and irons well. Have been very happy with it...around $36 with coupon at BBB.

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/black-decker-reg-digital-advantage-trade-steam-iron/1013623767?Keyword=iron
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maddie260
7 years ago
I have the Singer Expert Finish 1700 Watt iron and love it! It's light, a steaming machine, and doesn't leak! I've had it for three years and hope it lasts forever!
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User
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I remember reading someone's saga on the laundry forum -they finally found one that was reasonable and others were piping in saying they had it too and loved it. Black and Decker looks like it's the same one joaniepoanie linked. And maybe the price lowered. Here's the thread.thread from laundry forum on houzz
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c t
7 years ago
Professional seamstress here,and I will never buy a Rowenta again. Mine leaked after a year, and the same thing has happened to many people I know. The extra $$ just not worth it. Never ever, in 40 years of doing my own laundry, has an iron kicked the bucket that fast, and the last cheap iron was a $5 one from CVS.

If you like to iron (?) a gravity feed one costs about $100. The downside is that it doesn't have an auto-off safety feature like a home iron does.
My3dogs ME zone 5A
7 years ago
I have the same one that Joaniepoanie does, the Black and Decker Digital Advantage for my crafting. It is several years old and I have never had an issue with it. It gets a work-out, especially this time of year and the price was right!

I just checked it an Amazon and see it's their #1 seller in 'Trouser Pressers'. :-)

Black and Decker D2030
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Jmc101
7 years ago
My favorite is the one at the dry cleaners. Other than that, for home use all that I have tried over the last 30 yrs have been mediocre.

I sew quite a bit as well.
pippiep
7 years ago
I also have that Black & Decker, and have had it for years. I don't iron much, though I've started to do it quite a bit since I'm making our window treatments now. I used it vertically to steam a roman shade that was already up, thinking I was doing something that wasn't supposed to be done, but I just found out yesterday that vertical steaming is an included function! Bonus.
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dedtired
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Meant to post this on conversations. Oops. Thanks for the responses. I actually don't mind ironing, I just don't like the time it takes. There is something satisfying about watching the wrinkles disappear. Still, I would rather avoid it. The Black &Decker looks like what I need, along with some wrinkle release. thanks for the recs!
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lauraalarid2002
7 years ago
I also sew so my irons get a work-out. my first Rowenta would randomly turn off (not the auto-off feature, just turn off when in use). I finally bought a Shark to replace that and really loved it. Then I won another Rowenta and have been using that for about 5 years. It has started to leak. I gave my daughter the Shark; maybe she will switch with me.
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Lars
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I have the Black and Decker Classic, and I like it pretty well, although it does not have "surge of steam". It's a bit heavy, but it does a great job. I use to be a professional tailor/clothing designer, and I still do make clothes from time to time, but my last sewing job was to shorten sleeves 3" on a Versace suit that my brother bought at the Cabazon Outlet Mall during our last trip to Palm Springs (in October). I had to remove the sleeves at the shoulder and reattach them, which was a big pain because of the the facings and interfacings at the shoulder, not to mention the lining.

If you want to save money, go to a thrift store. I bought my previous iron there, and I liked it because it does have "surge of steam" and is a Sunbeam Steam Master. Plus it only cost $5. It's an old version with aluminum soleplate, and is better than the new ones.

The stainless steel soleplate is the best, but aluminum is okay also. You should avoid the non-stick soleplates, however. If I were to replace mine, I would get a Rowenta DW2070, which is under $50. I'm probably due to replace mine by now, as there have been improvements since I bought my B&D, and I was on a much stricter budget back then. I do keep at least two irons on hand at any one time.
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dedtired
Original Author
7 years ago
Steam surge -- forgot about that. I need that for the clothes that have been on a chair waiting to be hung up for a week. Great for major wrinkles.
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lascatx
7 years ago
Well, I used to think it was a waste to spend more than $20-30 on an iron, but after having one leak and another knocked off the ironing board and bust out the bottom and having read many people rave about Rowenta, I decided to try one. I have bought several now -- sales and clearance, so that we have two at home (main floor and second story sewing room) and each of our sons now have one (musicians who wear dress shirts and tux shirts frequently). DH loves that iron so much that I know he won't have anything else. He irons our linen sheets and even my kitchen towels, ass well as shirts and clothing -- and I never asked him too.

I did read that the irons made in Germany tend to be better than the lower end models that are made elsewhere. All four of ours are made in Germany models near the top of the line. They have hundreds of steam holes rather than a couple of dozen. They are heavier, so they make the work easier, heat quickly, reliably and can be used gently for delicate fabrics or with full heat and steam. I did pay more than $50 for each of them, but not more than $100. You can find those top models on sale -- probably $70-90. I'd rather pay a little more and let the iron do more of the work than pay less and have it be more of a chore. Macy's has Rowentas as a deal of the day with an extra 15% off and it looks like they are on sale everywhere from Target to Williams-Sonoma
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lascatx
7 years ago
If you do go with a Rowenta, read and follow the instructions. They are designed to use tap water and can develop leaks or leave deposits if you use distilled water (you might use half distilled and half tap depending on your water supply -- and you will use more than you are used to with other irons). You also need to clean them regularly, but it is as easy as filling the tank with water, letting it heat up and holding it with a button pushed over the sink, then wiping off the plate.
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mamapinky0
7 years ago
I iron a lot. I have a B&D Classic 25.00 at Walmart . Its a very good iron ..no it doesn't have steam surge, its constant steam which I much prefer. its some what heavy,but IMO a iron needs some weight as it prevents you from having to push down on it. I've been reading that some people are not as happy with the newer Rowentas as they were the older ones.
oldbat2be
7 years ago
Another Rowenta fan. Buy the best you can afford and then spend some time improving your ironing board (nice, thick surface on which to iron).
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dedtired
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks for the additional tips, everyone. Maybe I should just go BB&B and check them out.

Lars, I love all your posts. Not to hurt anyone else' feelings, but you are about my favorite person on Gardenweb!
lascatx
7 years ago
Lars, that is the one we have that DH loves. Anyone who alters cashmere suits will appreciate the difference. Hope you enjoy using it.
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yeonassky
7 years ago
"I always use a press cloth with cashmere and wool" So do I. :) At home I love my Black and Decker which adjusts to the right temperature very quickly. I use the Rowenta at a client's place and notice it sometimes doesn't cool down fast enough for the "sensitive" fabrics so always grab my press cloth and can start ironing right away.
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C Marlin
7 years ago
I recently bought the B&D Allure Digital, thought I wanted a Rowenta, but after some research found many were disappointed with their Rowenta and liked the B&D more. I'm happy. love the steam.
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cran
7 years ago
Speaking of "press cloths" I always had one that I used. It was very old and not sure where I might have purchased it, it was almost lake muslin but heavier. Some how it has disappeared and it is impossible to fine another true "press cloth." I have searched BBB, the old fashioned hardware store and on amazon, any suggestions??
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PRO
Lars/J. Robert Scott
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
You can get press cloths from Amazon. Here is another one (Dritz) that you can also get from Joann Fabrics. I do not have a special one - I just use unbleached heavy muslin or linen. I have quite a few linen scraps that are suitable.
dedtired
Original Author
7 years ago
That Rowenta is just a leeetle more than I want to pay! I have had the same press cloth for about 50 years and it is great. I use it from time to time.

Do you have an iron you particularly like?

Lars

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