Let's find out which iron soleplate is better - pros and cons, a brief comparison, tips on care

The soleplate of your iron is an important part of the device. The soleplate gets damaged by friction, becomes damaged, and becomes unusable.

Over time, even the toughest iron's soleplate will wear out, causing fractures, scratches, stains, and other mechanical damage.

There are several types of iron soleplates:

• Aluminum soleplate;
• stainless steel soleplate;
• ceramic soleplate;
• titanium coating;
• composite soleplate.

Aluminum soleplate

Aluminum soleplate is the base for your iron made of aluminum, aluminum with copper, chromium added. Aluminum soleplate is durable and strong, but requires special care, as it has high electrical conductivity coefficients in an oxidizing environment.

Coating features:

• easy ironing;
• high heat resistance;
• plasticity;
• low thermal conductivity;
• resistance to corrosion;
• no susceptibility to deformation;
• ease of fabrication.

But in fact, aluminum conducts heat poorly, as well as it is poorly processed. Therefore, an iron with such a soleplate is suitable for ironing light fabrics (such as silk).

Pros:

• easy care;
• low weight;
• durability;
• low cost;
• long service life;
• durability and high wear resistance;
• high heat resistance;
• insensitivity to high temperatures;
• ductility;
• low coefficient of electrical conductivity;
• resistance to high temperatures;
• easy care.

Like any other iron soleplate, the aluminum soleplate needs special care.

Cons:

• Resistance to warping - An aluminum soleplate deforms easilywhich is noticeable during the ironing process when ironing dense fabrics;
• High thermal conductivity factor - this leads to rapid cooling of the iron after ironing and does not allow for even heating of the fabric;
• poor durability - the iron can break if dropped;
• Durability - even if the iron is carefully handled, the aluminum surface will wear off and lose its appearance over time.

Stainless steel

The stainless steel soleplate of the iron is highly wear-resistant and ensures uniform temperature distribution over the entire working surface. It does not heat up during ironing, so there is no chance of getting burnt if you touch the iron's soleplate.

Temperature indicator and temperature limiter means you can adjust the temperature depending on the type of fabric.

Features of stainless steel iron soleplate:

• smooth surface that prevents the formation of lime deposits and unpleasant odors;
• Non-stick coating allows the iron to glide easily over fabrics;
• Limescale protection extends the life of the iron;
• Temperature indicator allows you to control the temperature of the iron soleplate;
• Steam Impact function makes it possible to effectively smooth out stiff folds and creases on clothing.

Pros:

• reliable protection against scale formation;
• No need for occasional cleaning;
• easy care.

Cons:

• If the iron overheats (improper use), the iron may shut down.
• Do not use this appliance for ironing dense fabrics (except silk) and hairy fabrics.
• Do not use the appliance on fabrics which may be deformed by high temperatures, such as cotton, linen, wool and silk.

Ceramic

The iron's ceramic soleplate is lightweight, durable and aesthetically pleasing.

Ceramic coating has a high non-stick rating, which allows you to iron without using a lot of water.

Smooth surface does not leave any creases and folds on your clothes.

Features of the ceramic iron soleplate:

• smooth surface provides easy gliding without sticking to the fabric;
• ensures maximum hygienic steam (no water stays on the fabric in the form of drops)
• Easily removes limescale thanks to the unique self-cleaning system;
• You can iron delicate materials (wool, silk, fine linen);
• the soleplate is resistant to scratches, even with intensive use of the iron.

Pros of the ceramic soleplate of the iron:

• The ceramic soleplate is lightweight,
• wear resistance,
• aesthetic appearance,
• eco-friendliness,
• has a low noise level,
• allows you to easily smooth out creases, which with other techniques are very difficult to smooth out;
• does not require additional time for heating, as in contrast to the aluminum surface, ceramic quickly heats up, and after cooling does not leave white stains on the fabric.

Cons:

• To the disadvantages of the ceramic soleplate include its fragility, so it is recommended to use this technique in a gentle mode;
• if there are cracks on the soleplate during ironing, the technique will be ruined and it will have to be thrown out.

Teflon soleplate

Teflon iron soleplate has good durability and resistance to high temperatures. However, like all metals, Teflon tends to oxidize when exposed to certain chemicals.

Before using the iron, therefore, apply a coat of GOI (Polishing Wax) paste to the iron's soleplate or, in the absence of polishing paste, wipe the soleplate with a dry cloth. If you do not have any polishing paste, wipe the soleplate with a dry cloth.

Features of Teflon iron soleplate:

• Scratch-resistant.. Teflon is not afraid of scratches and scuffs, which are inevitable when ironing laundry, including fine fabrics
• Safety. Teflon pads, when used correctly your iron will not leave any marks or stains on your clothes.
• Easy to clean. Dirt can be removed from the Teflon iron with a damp sponge.
• Ease of sliding.

Pluses of Teflon coating of the iron:

• Teflon surface has high thermal conductivity, so that even not very dense fabrics are well ironed.
• The soleplate does not stick to the fabric and is not deformed by the temperature.
• The Teflon coating is resistant to wear and the iron does not stick to it, so ironing with it is easy and efficient.

The disadvantages of a Teflon-coated iron:

• Holes through which water enters remain between the Teflon layers and gradually rub off.
• Over time, the Teflon layer diminishes and the soleplate begins to glide less smoothly over the fabric.

Titanium coating

Titanium coating on the iron soleplate is durable, comfortable to use and easy to iron on all kinds of fabrics

Titanium soleplate prevents fabrics from sticking, so the iron can glide over any hard surface.

Thanks to the unique coating, the iron soleplate, You can easily iron even the most delicate fabrics: silk, chiffon, etc.

Iron with this soleplate does not leave marks and creases on the fabric.

The titanium coating is resistant to mechanical damage and abrasion, and the iron's soleplate heats up longer than usual, The titanium coating on the iron's soleplate lasts longer than a conventional iron.

Features of the titanium coating of the iron soleplate:

• Titanium glide
• Scratch resistant
• Easy ironing
• Limescale & Stuck-on protection
• High iron temperature

Pros of titanium iron soleplate :

• Leaves no residue on clothes;
• Will not rust;
• Will not deform;
• Long service life;
• High durability of the soleplate;
• Resistant to scratches;.
• Does not stick.

Cons:

• Titanium coating heats up faster than regular coating.

Composite iron soleplate.

Characterized by durability and resistance to high temperatures.

Due to the absence of paraffin in the composition, the soleplate does not stick to the fabric.

With this iron you can smooth out even the most naughty creases and creases, as well as perfectly handle delicate fabrics and wool.

Features of composite iron soleplate:

• durable;
• scratch resistant;
• resistant to high temperatures (up to 500 ode: c);
• irons even the most delicate fabrics;
• fast heating and high performance;
• perfect glide on fabric;
• composite soleplate for ironing delicate fabrics and wool;
• Low maintenance;
• Resistant to dirt and scratches;
• Iron self-cleaning function;

Advantages of composite iron soleplate:

• Resistance of composite to various temperatures.
• Due to the absence of paraffin particles in its composition, the composite soleplate can be easily cleaned of any dirt and limescale, which is very important for quality ironing.
• High thermal conductivity allows fast and efficient ironing of any fabric.
• Composite soles do not require special products or cleaning solutions.

Disadvantages of composite iron soleplate:

• High cost of the iron.

A brief comparison of the surfaces

1. Aluminum soleplates have high thermal conductivity and are well suited for steam ironing. Unlike stainless steel soleplates they do not get hotter than 150 degrees Celsius.
2. Irons with ceramic soles glide better on fabric. When heated they do not emit harmful substances, because they do not contain metals.
3. Titanium and Teflon coating compared with composite iron soleplate allows you to iron faster and better.
4. When ironing with a composite-coated iron soleplate, You have to move it more sharply, which puts extra stress on your body and can cause burns.This is an additional stress on your body and can lead to burns.
5. The aluminum, ceramic and titanium coating as well as the composite coating will wear out over time, so it is necessary to monitor the condition of the iron. If there is a mark on the iron's soleplate surface, it must be replaced.
6. It is best to buy irons with a lifetime of at least 3 years. This will ensure that you get a long and quality use out of your iron. For irons without the steam function, it is most important to choose a model with a ceramic or titanium coating.
7. The ceramic coating has the best features in this segment and will last longer than the titanium coating.When choosing irons, first of all pay attention to the shape of the soleplate. This affects the quality of ironing and the speed of the process.
8.  Flat soleplate irons are more convenient to use because they allow you to iron a large number of clothes quickly and efficiently.
9. But, on the other hand, if your goal is to iron a large number of clothes, it is better to buy an iron with a "classic" soleplate. УThe irons of these models have a wide power range and a very low price.

Iron soleplate care and cleaning

Instructions on how to take care of your iron's soleplate:

1. If your iron has a metal soleplate, you need to clean it after every ironing to remove any stains or burn marks from the iron. You can do this by brushing it with a metal bristle brush or a special brush.
2. The soleplate of the iron must be cleaned carefully, because cleaning it can damage it. Do not clean the iron's heating and working surface with hard materials.
3. When cleaning, use soft, moistened cloths.
4. Never rub, tear or force the soleplate.
5. When you have finished cleaning, let the iron cool down, then rinse it under running water and wipe it dry.
6. Do not use abrasives or solvents to clean your iron, or sandpaper.
7. Never leave the iron unattended while you are working.

Taking care of your iron is not a substitute for repairing it. If the iron is damaged, deformed, rusty or otherwise defective, unplug it immediately and contact a service center.

The iron must be thoroughly wiped down with a dry cloth at all times to prevent stains and scratches from forming. Deposits of calcium salts, which form at high temperatures, can damage the soleplate. Regularly clean the iron's soleplate of limescale and buildup.

Always keep the iron's soleplate dry. Scale deposits inside the iron can negatively affect the function of the steam hole. This can cause damage to the iron.

Use a special water softener to prevent limescale buildup. If you are not using the appliance for a long time, unplug it from the mains and remove any water or other liquids.

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