After drying my clothes, I’ve begun doing a task that not only extends their lifespan but also eliminates any lingering bacteria.
For most people, the laundry is finished when everything is washed and dried, but there’s an additional step that genuinely helps garments last longer – ironing, specifically steam ironing. While traditional irons remove visible wrinkles, steam ironing elevates the process considerably.
Through steam ironing, the moisture penetrates deep within fabric fibres, realigning those that have become misshapen through washing and everyday use. This doesn’t simply restore garments to their original form but also guards against lasting creases and material deterioration.
I’ve lately been testing the Philips PerfectCare 7000 Series Steam Generator Iron to assess the advantages of steam ironing and found myself rather impressed with its performance.
Priced at £399.99, the Philips steam iron immediately caught my attention with its substantial size. While the iron component itself is remarkably light, the base unit is sizeable and considerably heavy.
Given its considerable footprint, this appliance is ideal for households managing substantial weekly laundry loads who possess adequate storage capacity. Fortunately, I have a spacious ironing board to accommodate the iron’s ample resting platform.
I’ve been putting this iron through its paces since last month on various garments suitable for pressing after line-drying outdoors, ranging from shirts and dresses to t-shirts and trousers.
Setting up the iron proved remarkably simple, with straightforward instructions and intuitive controls. While steam generator irons appear and operate somewhat differently from traditional models owing to their detached water reservoirs, I discovered the appliance uncomplicated to begin operating.
Upon switching it on, the iron’s impressive power becomes immediately apparent, as the noise it generates is notably loud. When it comes to banishing creases, the difference this steam iron made was immediately noticeable.
The speed at which a shirt could be pressed and the effortless ironing experience left a strong impression, with the results far surpassing those of an ordinary iron.
The iron features two steaming options – a button beneath the handle and an auto button on top. The handle button offered excellent control, though the auto button proved less appealing, as it emitted a constant stream of steam.
The sheer volume of steam produced can make the room rather warm, so it’s advisable to crack open a window or switch on your dehumidifier while working through your ironing pile.
Priced at £399.99, the Philips PerfectCare 7000 Series Steam Generator Iron is a big expense, but proves well worth the investment for those with mountains of laundry and sufficient storage space.
Should you be seeking a more wallet-friendly alternative, there are plenty of other steam irons available. For £89.99, the Philips 3000 Series Steam Generator Iron is a solid option, boasting an impressive 4.7 out of five rating on their website.
For those seeking an even more affordable choice, the Russell Hobbs Steam Iron is currently Amazon’s number one best seller at just £25.92, reduced from £34.59.
