Which soleplate is better to buy an iron and you won’t regret it - top 6 types of coatings

Before buying a device for ironing things, it is important to decide which iron sole is the best. After all, if its quality is low, other parameters will also suffer: the number of modes, steam strength and product power. Irons with poor soles can ruin textiles: leave streaks on the fabric or even burn it.

How to choose the perfect iron sole?

Which sole is better to buy an iron with - a tapered or rounded tip? And what else should you pay attention to when buying a device?

Basic requirements for soles

The selection criteria are:

• Glide is the main factor to consider when choosing an iron. The ironing device should move across the fabric without jerking, easily and without much effort on the part of the person.
• Tissue contact. The main function of the iron is to iron wrinkles. The sole of an electrical appliance should not spoil things or leave stains on them.
• Heating uniformity. The temperature over the entire surface of the sole should be the same. Otherwise, the fabric will be damaged.
• Foundation strength. Almost all irons deteriorate from damage - impacts, falls, scratches.But some sole materials are stronger than others. For example, ceramics have excellent smoothing properties, but are inferior in strength to aluminum or titanium.
• Easy to care for. It’s good if the housewife can easily clean the soleplate of the iron. After all, after prolonged use, this part of the device becomes covered with plaque and melted fabric fibers.

Additionally, when purchasing an ironing device, you need to pay attention to the following parameters:

• shape of the sole and nose;
• number of holes;
• non-stick coating.

Sole shape

Literally everything in this criterion is important. The narrowed, sharp nose of the iron easily penetrates into the most difficult to reach places: folds of ruffles, cuffs, frills, the space between buttons. This characteristic is also important for ironing children's things. It is more convenient to iron curtains, tablecloths, and bed linen with irons with a wide sole and a rounded nose.

On a note. The first option is more suitable for home use - with a narrowed spout, it is considered universal. After all, the housewife does not have to iron large things every day.

It is better to choose a rounded back part of the sole. Then, when moving the iron in the opposite direction, wrinkles will not form on the fabric. Manufacturers usually make the edges of the sole thin, slightly protruding forward. This way, when ironing, the device will not damage buttons and other plastic fittings of items.

Number of holes

The quality of work and efficiency of steam irons depends on the number of holes in the sole and their location. The recesses are different in diameter and are located in rows on the sides of the sole, back and front. The holes can be located in different patterns, it depends on the product of a particular manufacturer. But their number is always approximately the same - 50-110.It is believed that this number of recesses guarantees the highest quality ironing.

Non-stick coating

The very first versions of ironing devices burned and often ruined fabrics. Many modern products have a non-stick coating. It helps to iron any type of fabric, even the most capricious. An iron with such a coating will smooth out things with rhinestones, sequins and prints without difficulty or burning. Non-stick coatings do not leave marks on the fabric.

Types of base material

Modern irons are equipped with the following types of coatings:

• aluminum;
• stainless steel;
• Teflon;
• ceramic and metal-ceramic;
• titanium.

To decide which iron sole is better, you need to get acquainted with the characteristics of each type of coating.

Aluminum

The surfaces of this inexpensive material have replaced the cast iron coatings of old irons. Today, ironing devices with an aluminum base are considered the most affordable.

On a note. Cheap aluminum platforms do not additionally have a non-stick coating. Therefore, you should not iron woolen items with such an iron - shiny marks will remain on the fabric.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel soles are the most common, affordable, durable and damage-resistant.

On a note.The stainless steel base is not only durable, it also does not rust, so it retains its quality for a long time.

Manufacturers are trying to improve the sole and add various elements to it. For example, chromium protects the coating from corrosion and extends its service life. Modern manufacturers add sapphire powder to steel - it makes the surface of the iron even more durable, strong and slippery.

Ceramics and metal ceramics

This coating is often found on modern irons; the quality of fabric smoothing is not inferior to Teflon.

A more durable analogue of a ceramic sole is metal-ceramic. It contains impurities of chromium or nickel.

The ceramic-metal surface has the same advantages as ceramic. But you have to pay for durability - the cost of such irons is high.

Teflon coating

Teflon is the main competitor to ceramic soleplates in the ceramic vs. non-stick battle.

A special coating is applied to the iron sole made of steel or aluminum. Teflon is gentle on fabric. Due to its non-stick properties, the likelihood of burning things tends to zero. Thanks to their easy glide, these irons smooth out even the most stubborn creases.

Titanium coating

Iron soles based on titanium have appeared on the market relatively recently.The density of this material is close to aluminum, and its thermal conductivity can be compared to stainless steel. Irons with titanium coating are safe and lightweight. It is difficult to burn a thing with such a device, but, on the contrary, it is very easy to smooth out wrinkles.

Manufacturer technologies

Many domestic and foreign brands are developing their own ideas to improve the quality of the soleplate of the iron. The coatings are different in composition. But their common main function is to ensure high-quality smoothing of fabrics and extend the service life of the device. The following branded coatings are recognized as the highest quality:

• "Eloxal";
• "Steamglide";
• "Durilium";
• "Saphir";
• "Ceranium Glisse";
• "Palladium Glisse".

"Eloxal"

The coating of electrolytically oxidized aluminum improves the performance of the irons - they are not afraid of corrosion. They are not afraid of elevated temperatures and are resistant to scratches, impacts and other deformations. Additionally, expensive alloys have been added to the composition. As a result, the wear resistance of the device becomes higher. This type of coating was developed by Braun.

"Steamglide"

The brainchild of Philips. The base of the sole is alloy steel, and the coating is made of metal-ceramics or glass-ceramics. The Steamglide platform improves the durability of the iron base, it wears out less, and the device becomes easier to use. Additional holes have been added to the sole. They supply steam and during stroking an air cushion is formed.It makes sliding easier and ensures gentle ironing of things.

"Durilium"

Developed by Tefal. Irons with this coating are made of metal ceramics, on which an enamel coating is applied on top. As a result, sliding across the fabric becomes soft and easy. Additional holes allow you to create a steam cushion for effective steaming of things.

Scratches on the base are practically not formed, the most corrosive folds are easily smoothed out, and no stains remain on the fabric. Manufacturers recommend using such irons carefully, since the Durilium coating is quite fragile. Falls from the ironing board can end in disaster for the iron.

"Saphir"

A Braun idea brought to life. The manufacturer keeps the composition of the coating strictly secret. It is only known that the material used for the sole is stronger than steel, thanks to polishing with diamond chips.

Experts suggest that the coating contains zinc, aluminum, nickel and chromium. Users appreciated the performance properties of the soles of such irons. A device coated with “Saphir” will serve the owner for a long time. But the price for such products is much higher than average.

"Palladium Glisse"

The best-selling mid-price irons from Bosch are equipped with this particular coating. The stainless steel sole is covered with a thin ceramic layer. In the first part of the platform there is a pointed spout and small holes that supply steam. The second part is equipped with wide perforated channels - through them the fabric is moistened as much as possible. The third part has no holes at all. It serves for final smoothing and drying of things.

The iron glides easily over the fabric, and the thin edge of the platform makes it easy to “dive” under the fittings.

"Ceranium Glisse"

The soles of premium irons from Bosch are equipped with this coating. Just like Palladium Glisse, Ceranium is divided into 3 parts. Special holes make steam humidification more effective. The soleplate is made of high-strength alloy steel with a ceramic coating and heats up quickly and has high non-stick properties.

There are several basic requirements for the soleplate of an iron: ease of movement over the fabric, strength, uniform heating and gentle effect on the fabric. The choice of a specific model depends on the preferences of the housewife. Products made of titanium and aluminum are more durable, and ceramics and Teflon will provide high-quality smoothing, but they are more fragile compared to the first two options. You can also try out the quality of branded iron coatings from leading brands of household appliances.