-
Step 1
Research your steam iron options on comparison websites that also offer reader reviews. Find out what types and brands readers are reporting as most satisfactory. Pick out a couple you like and delve a bit further into their most important features.
-
Step 2
Go to an offline, small appliance store and take a few test drives. You'll want to see and feel some things for yourself, like the steam output and the grip. The iron should heat up fast and have a powerful and continuous steam strong enough for stiff items like jeans. You can always play with a few steam irons in the store, then return home, and price shop and order the one you want online.
-
Step 3
Check the size of the water tank. Steam irons require larger water wells than your mom's iron. To prevent frequent stops and refills, make sure the models that interest you have tanks that are generous and easy to fill.
-
Step 4
Find out how many holes are in the soleplate of the iron. The more, the better, and the more stable heat you'll have. The soleplate should be stainless steel or coated with enamel and be scratch-resistant. This is a very important part of the iron; it will be touching your clothes, after all.
-
Step 5
Make sure you can work the steam iron, not the other way around. A feature on one brand is the Auto-Lift System™ that enables the iron to know when you let go of the handle, popping two little plastic feet out from under the soleplate to lift the iron off whatever you're ironing. Such service. The Greeks would have loved that.
