7 Best Steam Iron In India: 2022 Reviews and Buying Guide

Regular clothes irons can’t get the job done like a powerful steam iron. And one of the main reasons is the digital display on a steam iron.

The display gives you flexibility to use accurate temperature and fabric settings. A feature like this often increases the life of your clothing.

The homezene team put together a list with the latest top performers based on customer reviews.

But before you look at your options, you must consider some important factors:

• Water tank capacity – this indicates the number of clothes you can iron per full tank.
• Wattage – the higher the wattage, the quicker and hotter the iron gets.
• Soleplate type – it determines how steam and heat are distributed to iron out wrinkles. Ceramic, stainless steel is more versatile when compared to  titanium, non-sticky, aluminium.
• Weight of the iron – it should be light weight for ease of use
• Safety Features – prefer one with an automatic shut off after a period of inactivity

You have a vast variety of brand choices to choose from, with steam irons priced from Rs. 800 to Rs. 5000.

To make sure you pay a reasonable price to get an iron to fit your budget and requirements, read our “Buying Guide“. Also, we have a list of the 7 best steam irons in India that you can buy online right now. Have a look!

Best Steam Iron Box in India 2022

7 Best Steam Irons for Clothes in India

1. Philips Easy Speed Plus GC2040/70 Steam Iron

This Philips steam iron will help you to get perfect ironing results with fewer strokes in less time. It offers the best steam support with its design and reliable soleplate to provide even steam distribution for quick ironing. Its powerful steam prevents bacteria and odor from the clothes.

Its powerful 2100 watts will enable constant high steam output and thus provides excellent steam ironing performance. The continuous steam up to 30 g/min with 100g steam boost will aid in removing the stubborn creases easily from the clothes.

Its water tank has a capacity of holding 270 ml of water will let you iron your clothes without any hassle of filling and refilling it. This steam iron is specially coated with a non-stick layer for perfect gliding on all types of fabrics.

The crafted soleplate design will distribute the heat evenly across the soleplate and thus require less strokes to moisten the garment evenly. With its drip stop technology, you can iron delicate fabrics at low temperature without any water droplets stains.

The control knob at the center of the device will allow you to set the temperature and steam pressure according to the fabric type. Its 360-degree swivel cord will let you glide easily for a comfortable and effortless. Make sure to take proper care while placing it in an upright position when not in use to prevent any water leakage.

Notable Features:

• Large tank capacity
• Specially coated non-stick soleplate
• Vertical steam function to steam hanging garments
• Triple precision tip for quick and effortless ironing.
• Mist spray for proper water spraying
• Self – calc clean slider remove salt deposits in water tank and extends its life

Verdict:

It is one of the best steam irons at an affordable price. The non-stick soleplate and triple precision tip will distribute the heat & steam (30g/minute and 100g steam boost) evenly to iron your clothes quickly with few strokes. However, it has a few issues with water leakage and also using high settings while it is not completely ready will cause injury to steam spray system.

Pros:

• Easy water replenishment
• Compact, lightweight (1.16 kg) and sleek design
• Spray steam works best on hard to reach areas in fabrics
• Built-in calc-clean slider to clear scale build up.
• Continuous steam output of 30 grams/minute and 100g steam boost.
• Vertical steam function to remove creases even from hanging garments.
• Comes with 2 years manufacture warranty.

Cons:

• Water leakage issues, if not placed upright when not in use.
• Average build quality.
• Steam weight is not adequate.

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2. Philips GC1905 1440-Watt Steam Iron

Under the budget-friendly bracket, Philips GC1905 steam iron offers the best steam support, reliable soleplate and design to tackle the tricky areas of the fabric.

Unlike the previous product, this steam iron discharges steam in the form of spray at the rate of 13g/min. A small push button right on top of the dispenser allows you to use the steaming feature as per your need. The spray produces fine vapours to dampen the area of creases to iron them out perfectly. A control knob at the centre of the device allows one to set the temperature and steam pressure accordingly. For tougher fabrics, a few vents lining the soleplate produces steam at 17 g/min to give extra weight.

The aluminium soleplate has a smooth non-stick surface that glides over the fabric even without damaging the graphic prints. The pointed end allows you to reach the difficult areas on dresses and shirts and iron out the creases. The standard 1.8 meters power cord can rotate up to 180° making it easier for the consumer to work with the iron. The steam works under an inverter power as it takes about 1440 watts to heat up. Its operating voltage is at 240V and 50 Hz.

The water tank has a capacity of holding 180ml of water. The large opening at the nose of the device allows you to easily discharge and refill water into the tank. However, care should be taken by placing it in an upright position when not in use in order to avoid any water leakage.

Notable Features:

• Steam spray feature with a pushbutton
• Large tank opening
• Separate steam vent along with the ones on the soleplate
• Temperature and steam control knob
• Aluminium soleplate
• Comes with a 2-year warranty

Verdict:

For an instrument that doesn’t put a hole in the pocket, the Philips SC1905 Steam Spray Iron is a good choice. It gets the job done when supported by the right voltage. However, it does have a few issues with water leakage. The iron has to be in an upright position when not in use. Using the higher settings in the iron when it is not yet completely ready causes injury to the steam spray system! The weight of the steam produced is not enough for tougher fabrics.

Pros:

• Lightweight (1kg)
• Easy water replenishment
• Consumes less power
• 13g/min of continuous steam
• Spray steam works best on hard to reach areas in the fabric
• Comes with a 2-year warranty
• Temperature control knob

Cons:

• Water leakage issues
• If not handled well, the steam system fails
• Steam weight is not adequate

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3. Inalsa Titanium 2000-Watt Steam Iron

The Inalsa geyser titanium steam iron is known for its precision ironing. If time is a luxury for you, opt for the geyser titanium iron to reduce your workload. Its ergonomic design is carefully crafted for the consumers’ benefit.

The steam iron comes with a titanium coated heavy soleplate that evenly distributes the steam in order to reduce repetitive strokes. The tip consists of 12 steam vents while the sides are lined with 16. The regular steam dispersion weight is around 22g/min while the steam burst weighs up to 160g/min. Additionally, the product consists of a steam vent on the nose that allows steam spray at times for extra dampening. The geyser steam iron also produces vertical steam for fabrics such as drapes.

The 2000 watt power heats up the iron pretty quickly and maintains the temperature to produce constant steam all throughout the course. Temperature and steam control feature allows one to select the temperature required for a particular fabric and this, in turn, decides the amount of steam required to iron out the wrinkles on the fabric.

The 300ml water tank is big enough to use the product for a long time without refilling the tank. The soleplate also comes with an anti-drip function which senses when the iron reaches a low temperature and automatically cuts off the flow of water in order to prevent leakage. The tank has a self-clean anti-calc feature to prevent the accumulation of lime deposits. It also helps in reducing the clogging of steam vents.

Notable Features:

• Vertical steam
• Anti-drip function
• Self clean/ anti-calc feature
• Temperature and steam control
• Ergonomic design
• Wide titanium soleplate
• Comes with a 2-year warranty
• Steam spray feature
• Utilizes 2000 watts of power

Verdict:

An efficient product with quick performance! The swiveling power cord is about 1.7 meters and comes with a three point pin. The steam output is impressive and has an even distribution. The handle design makes it easier for you to use it for a longer period. This steam iron is basically the best product one can get when the price and features are considered.

Pros:

• Powerful steam bursts and steam spray. From 22-160g/min!
• Vertical steam
• Temperature control
• Comes with a 2-year warranty
• Easy to hold handles
• Quick to respond
• High performance
• Large water tank

Cons:

• Build quality
• Customer service is bad

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4. Black & Decker BD BXIR2202IN 2200-Watt Steam Iron

A quality device that promises high-performance delivery, convenience, and durability! The Black Decker steam iron is a tough competition to the Philips steam iron in the market as it delivers almost all the features for a lesser price.

The small vents on the surface of the ceramic coated soleplate work well with the even distribution of the steam. One can expect a dispersion of 35g/ min for regular fabrics and a steam boost of upto 90g/min for tough fabrics. The steam bursting functions irons out the stubborn creases while the additional spray function provides the necessary extra dampness to even out the creases.

A variable temperature and steam control knob help in avoiding unnecessary damage to the garments. The intelligent system recognizes the temperature at which steam needs to produced, once you set it accordingly.

The ceramic coated soleplate not only glides over the fabrics smoothly, but it also comes with an anti-drip feature that restricts leakage of water droplets and vapours. The self-clean feature of the steam iron is worth mentioning. Generally, with regular usage of the steam function, the water tank is prone to accumulation of lime scales formed as a byproduct of the heat reaction with calcium carbonate in water. The self-clean function works towards the prevention of such deposits while the anti-calc feature counters the limescale deposits.

The steam iron has an impressively large tank that can hold up to 380 ml of water. The consistent amount of steam produced because of the large tank limits your responsibility for replenishing it. The product can even produce vertical steam to iron out garments such as dresses and curtains.

Furthermore, the steam iron is faster and quicker due to its power consumption. It utilizes about 2200 watts to heat up quickly and produce steam at a higher rate.

Notable Features:

• Anti-drip feature
• Steam burst and spray function
• Ceramic coated soleplate
• Anti-calc function
• Self-clean feature
• A large water tank that holds 380ml of water
• Vertical steam
• Comes with a 2-year warranty

Verdict:

The Black Decker steam iron is an ideal household product that makes your work simpler and faster. The product is reliable with impressive functions to give a smooth finished garment. As mentioned earlier, this product gives a tough competition to the Philips Steam Iron. However, the price and the power consumption of the device are much lesser compared to the former. The only negative issue could be the build quality.

Pros:

• The anti-drip feature makes sure there will be no water leakage in any form
• The power cord is pretty big (3 meters)
• The steam burst and spray functions work well together for difficult areas. 90g/min!
• The self-clean feature reduces your workload
• Comes with a 2-year warranty
• Vertical steam
• Large water tank
• Quick response to the heat and steam formation

Cons:

• Not all vents are functional
• Heavy.

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5. Morphy Richards Super Glide 2000 – Watt Steam Iron

A simple portable steam iron that does the job quickly and efficiently without wasting much of your time! Morphy Richards has always been a crowd favourite when it comes to household products. This super glide steam iron by them competes with the Philips GC1905 while still holding an upper hand with respect to the dispersed steam weight and time.

The massive number of steam vents on the advanced diamond and ceramic coated soleplate provide even distribution of steam and heat for a crease-free garment. There are about 46 steam holes/vents lining the ceramic coated soleplate resulting in wider area coverage.  The coated soleplate glides smoothly over the fabric allowing a faster ironing process. This also ensures the product’s longevity.

The vertical steam feature makes it easier for anyone to even out the creases on garments such as jackets and drapes. Although the steam vents on the soleplate disperse steam at about 11g/min on regular mode, it has a turbo boost feature that can produce steam at 150g/min on a higher setting.

The large 350ml water tank helps in producing a consistent amount of steam without needing regular replenishment. It comes with a self-clean feature that helps in preventing the accumulation of lime deposits that are responsible for clogging the steam vents.

Notable Features:

• 46 steam holes/vents
• Diamond and ceramic coated soleplate
• Turbo boost feature that disperses 150g/min of steam
• 350ml water tank
• Self-clean technology
• Comes with a two-year warranty
• Uses 2000 watts

Verdict:

Although a good product for a reasonable price, it does come with a few minute problems such as its weight. The soleplate is smooth and non-sticky. The turbo boost feature produces a massive amount of steam on a higher setting. The power cord is flexible and turns 360 degrees to ease your task. The 2000 watt power heats up the device pretty quickly.

Pros:

• Vertical steam
• Self-clean feature
• Higher number (46) of steam vents on the soleplate
• Turbo boost feature (150g/min) of steam shots.
• Large water tank
• Heats up quickly
• Smooth finish of the soleplate
• Comes with a two-year warranty

Cons:

• Heavyweight
• Water leaks if not placed upright when not in use.

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6. Havells 1840-Watt Steam iron

Next on our list is the Havells Magnum Steam Iron with a 1840 wattage. With a dual-sealed steam generator, this iron gives a great performance and is spillproof of the water inside it.

Speaking of the water, the tank capacity of the iron is at 300 ml, sufficient to press and steam the clothes of a small family. All you need to do is fill in the device with water, plug it to a board, switch it on and start using it to remove creases. 

The handle of the steam iron has an ergonomic, groovy and soft grip that gives your hands very good comfort while you go about your ironing and steaming. 

As the burst of the steam is verticle, you need not constantly change positions of your clothes while ironing. Directly place the clothes and go about as if you are normally ironing clothes. 

The nonstick soleplate is ideal for steaming and ironing of different and any type of cloth material without causing any kind of burn or sticks damage to the material.

Given the smooth flow of the product over clothes, one cannot expect extreme press of the clothes like a typical iron. It works best as a crease remover than a hard clothes press. 

But then, given the heat and steam capabilities of the iron, it can easily remove the said creases. A variable steam control present on the dashboard of the iron will let you change and control how the pressure the steam jets out of the iron.

Apart from all of these, the iron is also anti-scaling. This means that the iron does not let any sedimentation or deposits sit on it. Even if there are any as such, the self-cleaning functionality will take care of it.

Notable Features:

• Self Cleaning Capability
• Anti Drip
• Non-Stick soleplate
• Verticle team burst
• Anti-sedimentation or scaling 
• Soft Grip

Verdict:

With a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty on the product and the inherent Havells trust, this steam iron is a good buy for bachelors who are always on the move and small families as well.

Pros:

• Consumes 1840 watts
• Anti-Drip and Anti-sedimentation along with self-cleaning makes it a great buy for lazy bachelors
• Has an easy to tune variable steam functionality 
• Ergonomic and easy to grip handle
• 2 Years of warranty on any manufacturing defects.

Cons:

• Could improve on the pressure of the steam released
• Cannot remove hard-pressed wrinkles easily

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7. Eveready SI1400 1400-Watt Steam Iron

A smart steam iron for regular usage that speeds up the task of ironing for wrinkle-free garments! Eveready is a well known brand this Eveready steam iron has all the necessary features that are required for an efficient, durable and safe to use instrument.

The steam spray valve on the nose comes with a pushbutton. It distributes fine mist on the fabric which helps in tackling the creases in the hard to reach areas. The temperature control knob decides the right temperature and steam required for ironing out the creases on the garment.

Although the water tank is not very large, it is easy to refill water during the course for consistent distribution of steam. The tank comes with a self-clean feature that ensures the prevention of lime deposits in the vents.

The handlebar is easy to hold and work with. The linish surface of the soleplate glides effortlessly over the fabric for a quick task of ironing. The power consumption of 1400 watts is ideal for daily use. It is also backed with an impressive 2 years warranty.

Notable features:

• Linished soleplate
• Inbuilt overheat protection
• Consumes 1400 watts of power
• Self-clean function
• Thermostat
• Spray and steam burst function
• Comes with a 2-year warranty

Verdict:

The Eveready steam iron is an excellent regular use household product. Its quick performance makes it an efficient, durable and reliable product. One should, however, keep cleaning the tank regularly in spite of the self-clean feature to improve its longevity. The iron is affordable and dependable.

Pros:

• Steam spray function
• Adjustable thermostat
• Flexible swiveling power cord
• Comes with a 2-year warranty
• Scratch resistant soleplate
• Quick response

Cons:

• Water leakage issues.

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Why Should a Person Opt for a Steam Iron?

Steam irons are the best solution for removing stubborn wrinkles on fabric. It helps you get the commercial finish to your fabrics at home. It is better to choose a steam iron instead of normal one – because its versatility ensures you can easily deal with any kind of fabric. Advantages of steam iron over normal one are – durability, finish, easy to use, steam generation can reduce even stubborn wrinkles.

How to Choose a Steam Iron?

In today’s world, consumers are spoilt with smart choices and technologies. Even choosing a common household appliance like steam iron is nothing less than picking a needle in the haywire. That is why it is important to analyze your requirements before opting a steam iron. It gives a clear idea what features you would like to have in steam iron and your preferences.

The below buying guide for steam irons has all the information required for proper analysis. The factors and tips mentioned in the guide will help you choose the right one.

1. Different Types of Steam Irons

Based on sole plate material, steam capacity, weight, size and other features, steam irons are divided into 3 categories. All these types have shown best results of removing wrinkles however, some of them produced more steam and glided more easily, providing a better job than others. Below, we have mentioned them clearly for your convenience…

• Conventional Steam Irons

These steam irons produce a small amount of hot steam which remove the wrinkles and iron the fabric. Most of the features that were once available only in expensive ones are now available in less experience steam irons as well. Normal tap water can be used for making steam – as these machines contain resin filters or anti-calcium valves.

• Steam Ironing Systems

These type of ironing systems have constant flow of steam in high-pressure volumes. They take a lot of space than any other conventional iron. They can be placed over a rack or chair at the end of ironing board. These ironing systems take a lot of time for heating up. Some of these devices don’t have the option of automatic turn off if it is left unattended. Due to good steam production, this iron will remove all the stubborn wrinkles even on dry linen fabric. These systems usually don’t have spray functionality but the steam flow is high enough.

• Cordless Irons

These type of irons are similar to conventional ones however; they don’t have a power cord. Usually, these irons are not impressive enough in terms of providing performance. However, if you are travelling somewhere they can be taken with you. They come with battery and it can be recharged as per requirement.

2. Water Tank Capacity

Larger water tank capacity means less number of times you have to fill the water. Higher water tank capacity also means that more steam is produced for longer time. A smaller tank can typically hold 210 mL and needs to be refilled frequently. While a large water tank can hold more than 300 mL of water – it offers continuous steam for longer periods of time. However, it can be on heavier side. So, while purchasing a steam iron look out for higher water capacity models.

3. Amount of Steam

Amount of steam produced is another important feature to consider while purchasing a steam iron. You should always opt for a product that is capable of producing maximum amount of steam. This ensures you can iron even dry and heavy garments much easily.

A steam iron can produce a significant amount of steam per minute according to its capacity. The holes present on the soleplate disperse the steam on any kind of fabric easily. For maximum effectiveness, you should always purchase a steam iron that has high level of steam output. Usually, it is measured in grams per minute. Some steam iron models have more than 200 grams of steam per minute while some of them can provide only 35 grams of steam per minute.

Another thing to consider is whether the iron is capable of steaming vertically as it is convenient for ironing the hanging drapes and garments. While looking for a steam iron, it is better to choose an option that can control the amount of steam produced. Because higher amount of steam can spoil the delicate fabric. And on other hand, medium steam levels cannot remove wrinkles on heavier garments.

Using steam variations, you can make single refill last for a very long time. So, you can avoid the mess of refilling again and again. They also help to provide customized steam options as per your requirement.

4. Number of Steam Vents

The number and placing of the steam vents are an important characteristic feature to consider before buying a good steam iron. The soleplates are embedded with 16-46 steam holes/ vents to give the powerful steam bursts when required. Higher the number of steam vents, higher the wattage to facilitate the steam production and distribution. All the advanced steam irons have a large water tank to produce and distribute the steam evenly and consistently through these vents.

Additionally, some irons have a spray valve with a push button placed on the nose of the product. These spray valves produce a fine mist to provide the extra dampness required for tougher fabrics. A few vents at the pointy end of the soleplate allows one to tackle the wrinkles at places such as collars, cuffs, pleats, and between buttons.

5. Sole Plate Type

Soleplates play an important role in deciding the longevity of the steam irons. A wider base consists of more number of steam vents. This helps in covering large areas of fabric in a small amount of time. The pointy end of the soleplates is essential for tackling difficult corners of the fabric such as collars, between buttons, and pleats.

In general, the soleplates of both conventional and advanced steam irons are made up of either aluminum or coated with titanium, poly-teflon, ceramic and other non-stick materials. This provides a smooth finish to the plate helping in its easy movement over fabrics. It also prevents the chances of burns. Below, we have mentioned some of the common sole plate materials often used in steam irons.

• Stainless Steel – This option is best for ironing natural fabrics like wool, cotton as they are well-known for conducting heat. They are much better than ceramic sole plates in terms of removing wrinkles on pant legs and sleeves. However, stainless steel plates can get stick to decals and glues while ironing at higher temperatures.
• Aluminum – This material is the most inexpensive ones but a better distributor of heat. So, you can expect even heat and ironing across the garments.
• Ceramic – Steam irons that have ceramic sole plates are usually made up of aluminum with ceramic coating. If you iron a lot of synthetic fabrics, then this option is better as ceramic resists static. However, ceramic soleplate can diminish the colors on natural fabrics like cotton or wool. As it is merely a coating, ceramic can wear off due to regular wear and tear.

Another important feature to consider when it comes to soleplate is the size. If the sole plate size is bigger, then it lets you cover a lot of area at shorter period of time. Apart from that, the number of holes that produce steam will also be higher. This ensures the steam is spread evenly to a larger space and high quality ironing finish in less amount of time.

6. Weight 

The weight of the steam iron is a critical feature that determines its performance. Some people may use steam irons daily or once in a while for a longer period of time. The most important thing is to handle the ironing with ease. If the steam iron is too heavy, then handling it for longer period of time can lead to pain in the arms and shoulders. However, if the steam iron is too light in weight, then it may not be capable of removing the wrinkles. So, choose a product that is neither too heavy nor light in weight.

7. Auto Shut Off

Sometimes, while ironing clothes for a very long period of time, you can forget switching off the steam iron. In such cases, iron can burn the clothes or lead to any other potential accident. This is why manufacturers have been developing iron boxes with auto-shut off feature. It turns off the devices once it reaches highest heat temperature. Once the iron is shut down, the temperature of the soleplate gets decreased. This also prevents any potential accidents. This feature is not available in all steam irons so read the features and specifications mentioned by the manufacturer before making the purchase.

8. Temperature Settings

Both conventional and advanced steam irons come with an adjustable temperature control knob. Advanced steam irons, additionally have a steam control feature that decides and sets upon the amount of steam required to produce for that particular garment. The steam irons also have an inbuilt auto-cut off feature that keeps the internal heat temperature in check and reduces the chances of overheating.

9. Cord Length

While steam ironing clothes, the socket may not necessarily be accessible enough. In such cases, you may require a cord that has good length and flexibility. If the cord is not flexible or sturdy, then it may bend and develop opening which can be harmful. This is the reason a retractable cord with good length is important. With such cord, you can happily move the steam iron in any direction and retract easily as well. While the standard cord length is about 6 feet, some steam irons do come with power cords up to 3 meters. This allows you to move around the iron more freely and have longer strokes for a faster ironing task.

10. Wattage

In order to achieve high temperatures in a few seconds, it is important to consider the wattage of the steam irons. Higher the wattage, faster the heat response! The wattage of the iron also affects the steam build up and dispersion. To make the best of the steam burst technology, opt for a steam iron that takes up more than 1800 watts of power. This wattage range also ensures the steam iron gets heat up quickly, making them more versatile. It helps in removing even stubborn wrinkles on heavy fabrics.

11. Time Required to Heat Up

An ideal steam iron heats up to right temperature within 2 – 3 minutes so that you don’t have to wait for longer periods of time. Apart from that, it also takes very less amount of time to produce steam. This ensures you can use steam and heat quickly to iron the clothes within short amount of time.

12. Anti Calc Feature

Most of the modern steam irons come with this unique feature that reduces our workload. Generally, when the water turns to vapor, the calcium carbonate in the water reacts to the heat applied and forms lime residues as a byproduct. These lime scale deposits build up inside the water tank and even clog the steam vents preventing the function and even damaging the system. To prevent this limescale build up, the self-clean anti-calc feature works towards it by internally cleaning the tank. Steam irons are a low maintenance instrument.

13. Anti-Drip Design

Consistent dripping on water droplets from steam iron while ironing can be frustrating. Some of the steam ironing devices have this issue. In order to overcome this issue, some manufacturers have come up with anti-drip feature – which ensures there is no dripping or slippage of water even if the water tank is completely full. It will also prevent water leakage from any part or corners of the steam iron.

14. Ergonomic Handles and Controls

Handles of a steam iron should be smooth and comfortable to handle, especially if you using them daily or for a longer period of time. Some modern steam irons also have anti-slip handles which are much comfortable than others.

15. Price

Steam irons with high-end features can be expensive. However, some of the cheap steam irons come with basic and important features that are enough to get a good iron service. As the market is filled up with several options, you can carefully choose anyone based up on your budget requirement.

Steam Iron or Dry Iron – Which One is the Best?

Well, the answer to this question depends on the individual needs of a person. We have mentioned some differences between these two options to help you choose the right one as per your requirements.

• Water Tank

This is the main difference between dry iron and steam iron. A dry iron doesn’t have any water tank and steam iron has a water tank with which steam is generated.

• Soleplate

Next difference you can observe between steam and dry iron is the sole plate. A sole plate of dry iron box is solid while sole plate of steam iron is also solid but has several holes that release steam. Depending on the size of the plate and number of holes, the steam will cover a particular area. This ensures the wrinkles are easily removed on the fabric. Whereas the sole plate of dry iron is clean and easy to maintain. On the other hand, steam iron sole plates have to be maintained as the holes can get blocked. If blocked, the steam will not pass properly and which obviously reduces the performance.

• Spray Mist

Most of the steam irons present in the market come with spray mist option which ensures to moisten the cloth to some extent that makes it easier to remove the wrinkles. Mist spray also ensures ironing is done in a very short amount of time. On other hand with dry iron, you should always use pressure to remove the wrinkles on fabric.

• Number of Features

With dry iron, features are pretty basic and limited as well. You should always check out the temperature setting before using the dry iron. While steam irons contain several different temperature settings. You can choose any temperature according to the fabric which makes it easier to iron right away. Steam irons have steam triggers and LED display as well which ensures you know the current temperature setting while ironing clothes. Though this makes the steam irons more complicated, these devices can provide a more customized experience as well.

• Versatility

Steam irons can be used as dry iron if you just don’t use the steam option. You can use the tank empty as well to perform it like dry iron. You can also use it as steam or dry based on type of fabric like satin or silk (which require dry ironing). On the other hand, dry iron cannot function like steam iron so they are not versatile. As the number of features is limited with dry iron, you don’t have much option of customization.

How to Clean Steam Iron Tank?

Even if the steam iron has built-in features of anti-cal system and self-cleaning, it is important to clean them once in a while to remove any stubborn mineral or other deposits. If you are wondering how to clean a steam iron, then we have mentioned the procedure in simple steps below for your convenience.

Step 1: For cleaning a steam iron, you will require pure vinegar, distilled water, metal tray and dry white cloth.

Step 2: Initially, pour vinegar into the water tank until it reaches a quarter of the tank. Now, turn the temperature on to the medium setting.

Step 3: Spray and iron any dry white cloth until the water tank gets empty.

Step 4: Now fill the water tank again with distilled water until it is completely full.

Step 5: Spray and iron the cloth again several times, however, leave enough water in the tank for completing the next step.

Step 6: Take a metal tray, hold the steam iron at some distance and spray to release the steam until the water tank is empty. Place it away until the water tank is completely dry and you are ready to use it again.

Steam Iron Sole Plates cleaning Methods:

If you want to just clean the sole plates of steam iron, then below are few methods…

Salt Method – This process will not only remove stains, de-block the holes but also let the sole plate easily glide over the fabrics. Pour salt over a cotton towel or paper. Make sure the steam option is turned off and iron the salted area. The salt will remove the dirt and leaves the sole plate smoother than before.

Damp Cloth Method – For this method, you will need either vinegar (for stubborn stains) or plain water (for normal stains). Soak the cloth in water or vinegar and wring out the excess. Set your steam iron to a low temperature and wipe the damp cloth over sole plate. Now, you can use a cotton swab to remove the dirt present in the steam holes.

Baking Soda Method – Combine baking soda and water to form a paste. You can use white vinegar instead of water. Apply the paste on the soleplate and concentrate more on the places where there are more stains and rusting. Leave it for 30 seconds and wipe off with a damp cloth.

Notes to Remember While Cleaning a Steam Iron

• If you iron a lot of starched clothes, then the holes will get clogged easily and frequently.
• Make sure the iron is not plugged to any electric source before cleaning it.
• It is better to avoid using any abrasive tools like metal scouring or others over sole plates as they may cause scratches and even damage the performance of the iron.
• Once the cleaning of steam iron is complete, make sure the water tank is empty. You should also empty the water tank after each ironing session. This prevents mineral build-up in the water tank.
• Make sure to read the guidelines mentioned by the manufacturer before using it on how to clean and maintain it.

What is the residue present on iron sole plate? And how to remove it?

It is pretty common for residue to build up overtime on an iron soleplate. It can be caused due to reasons like lint, burnt fabric, starch or adhesive. Residue buildup on soleplates can lead to two main issues that are – it generates friction which causes difficulty to move around the clothes. And secondly, the temperature can transfer the stains over fabrics which can sometimes be permanent.

How to Clean and Remove Sticky Residue from Steam Iron Sole Plate?

If the residue buildup or stains are not removed, then it can damage the functionality of the steam iron. Most of us may not be aware of the methods to remove a sticky residue on sole plates. So, we have mentioned them below for your convenience. The below process can remove any stubborn sticky residues on the iron sole plates.

• Take a bowl, add baking soda and warm water.
• Mix these ingredients to get a slurry mixture.
• Carefully apply the mixture on the sole plate using a wooden spatula.
• Being abrasive in nature, baking soda dislodges sticky residue.
• Now wipe off the baking soda mixture using any clean fabric.
• Reapply the mixture again on the sole plate to get rid of any remaining adhesives. Again wipe of the mixture using a clean cloth.
• Using cotton swabs, remove the mixture stuck in the holes.
• Fill the water tank with clean distilled water.
• Turn the temperature setting of iron to highest and push the steam button.
• Any remaining mixture in the holes will be removed through steam.
• Once the water tank is empty, let it dry completely before using the iron.

How to Remove Burned Fabric on the Soleplate of Steam Iron?

Burnt fabric residue over a sole plate can be caused due to bad temperature control. Though this type of stain is very stubborn, they can easily be removed using household ingredients like salt or baking soda. The abrasive nature of these ingredients will cut right through the residue and scrape it off without hurting the soleplate. Now, let’s have a look over the process in detail…

• For this process, you will need ingredients like clean dry cloth, salt, nail polish remover, mesh pad, paper and spatula (wooden or nylon).
• First plug the iron and turn the heat temperature setting to the lowest. Wait for few seconds to let the sole plate warm up – which slowly softens the burnt residue.
• Using a nylon or wooden spatula, gently scrape off the softened burned residue. If the iron soleplate has non-stick coating, then use damp mesh pad instead of wooden or nylon spatula.
• Now combine equal parts of baking soda and water. Apply the mixture over the remaining burned residue. Take a clean cloth and gently rub off the stains and burned residue.
• If the burned residue is caused due to polyester fabric, then use a nail polish remover to erase it.
• Now sprinkle some salt over a plain paper. Run the iron on salted paper multiple times to get rid of any remaining residue.
• Switch off the iron or pull the plug of the iron to let it cool down completely. Using a damp cloth, rub the soleplate to remove any debris, salt, baking soda or others.
• Let the steam iron get completely dried before using it.

How to Remove Starch Stains on Steam Iron?

If you often use starch sprays while ironing, then it is common to experience starch stains over the sole plate. If not cleaned regularly, then these can damage the performance of the iron. For removing starch stains, you can follow the simple process mentioned below…

• For this method, you will need baking soda, wooden spatula, clean towel and cloth.
• First set the temperature of iron to highest setting. Wipe off the iron using an old towel to erase the residue. Be careful while doing it as the iron soleplate will be hot.
• Now remove the plug and let the iron cool down.
• If the residue is thick, then set the iron temperature setting to a low setting for longer period or until the residue begins to slowly soften. Now scrape off the residue using wooden spatula. Turn off the iron and let it cool down completely.

Frequently Asked Questions?

Conclusion:

Instead of getting confused and purchase a wrong one, we recommend to go through our buying guide. The information provided in it will help you to analyze the option and choose the right steam iron, as per your requirements.

We choose Philips Easy Speed Plus GC2040/70 Steam Iron as our top pick in this list. Being a product from Philips you can never go wrong with it in general. This particular product deserves the first place because of its various unique and effective features, that comes at decent price. Its non-sticky nature of soleplate helps in easy, quick and effective ironing. The continuous steam up to 30g/min with 100g steam boost will remove even stubborn creases easily.  

Choose your favorite steam iron from our list and do let us know of your choice in the below comment section.