Which iron sole is best for you?

Why is the soleplate of an iron so important?

The sole is the most important element of the device. The result of ironing and the preservation of fabrics depend on its quality. The iron should glide smoothly across the surface and smooth out all existing wrinkles.

No newfangled features like remote control or multiple different modes will matter if the sole is prone to leaking, melting things, or catching on fibers. For this reason, when choosing home appliances, you first need to pay attention to the material of manufacture, shape and other characteristic features of the sole.

Particular attention should be paid to the appearance of the sole, because it is the basis of the device.

What are the different types of soles?

The shape of the sole is:

with a sharp nose;
rounded (with a blunt nose).

Which sole shape is best to choose an iron with? In the first case, the iron is ideal for ironing shirts, wardrobe items with many small parts and accessories, and children's clothing. If the house is dominated by large items, bed linen, towels, it is more convenient to use devices with a large surface and a rounded nose.

The sole comes into contact with the fabric, smoothes it, and eliminates all defects that appear after washing and drying things.

The back of all models should be oval. Otherwise, when the iron moves backwards, the fabrics will break.

Manufacturers of these devices use a variety of coatings for the soles; their huge selection can cause difficulties for buyers when choosing.

Types of soles

One of the most important factors that influences the choice of technology is the material used to make the sole. Currently, there are more than a hundred varieties of platforms of varying degrees of strength, slip, and differing in other characteristics.

The soleplate of the iron is an important part of the device. It is she who performs the necessary functions, which consist of smoothing the fabric.

Aluminum

Aluminum soles are the most affordable. Other advantages of models of this type:

light weight;
fast heating and cooling.

Budget iron models are usually produced with aluminum soles, which is why they are very popular among many consumers.
Minuses:

the sole is easy to scratch, it is not resistant to mechanical stress, and subsequent scratches cling to the fibers of the fabric and lead to damage to things;
if there are small scratches, they gradually accumulate carbon deposits and dirt particles;
over time, the sole begins to slide worse on the material, even with proper use and careful care;
Iron marks may remain on items in the form of shiny areas.

In addition to low price, aluminum alloy bases are lightweight and have high thermal conductivity.

Important! It was aluminum that was the first to replace the first cast iron devices, which weighed a lot, took an extremely long time to warm up and had a non-uniform platform that did not slide well and cling to fabrics.

Anodized

Aluminum is processed in a special way - anodic oxidation. As a result of the manipulations, an oxide film is formed, which additionally protects the platform from external influences. The anodized coating has a matte structure, so after ironing there are no marks left on things.

The anodized soleplate of the iron is made by additional processing of aluminum (anodic oxidation), resulting in the formation of an oxide film.

Ceramic

The sole element is made from compounds of inorganic origin and mineral additives, and then applied to a steel or aluminum base. Advantages of such a sole:

better sliding on matter;
delicate ironing of fabrics;
ease of operation and maintenance;
uniform heating of the working surface;
affordable price.

Ceramic products have a significant drawback - high fragility.
A significant disadvantage of a ceramic sole is its fragility. If at least one chip forms on the surface, the entire coating may peel off at once. Over time, the damaged plantar part becomes covered with numerous cracks that cannot be eliminated.

The device can easily be damaged if it comes into contact with buttons, locks, or metal rivets.

Metal-ceramic

Since ceramic soles are low in strength, many manufacturers add nickel or chromium to the material. In the first case, the surface becomes golden in color, in the second - bluish. Ceramics are also combined with other metals and alloys. The metal-ceramic surface is resistant to external damage and shock; such a sole glides easily over fabrics and smoothes out wrinkles of any complexity.

The material is used by leading equipment manufacturers such as Tefal, Braun, Philips, etc. Models based on metal ceramics are more expensive than other types of irons.

Metal-ceramic devices have increased strength.

Stainless

Stainless steel is considered one of the most reliable materials; many manufacturers use this option when creating durable models; moreover, it has a low cost, which affects the final price of the device. Pros of stainless steel:

resistance to mechanical damage;
anti-corrosion properties;
long service life;
excellent glide on material;
uniform heating of the platform;
low cost;
ease of maintenance and operation;
After ironing, there are no creases left on the fabrics.

Devices that have a stainless steel base are slightly more expensive than products made of aluminum alloys.
Flaws:

heavy weight;
long heating of the working surface.

Stainless steel is often supplemented with other metals. For example, chromium is excellent for this, as it improves anti-corrosion properties and extends the service life of the product.

There is only one disadvantage: irons with a stainless steel base are quite heavy.

Teflon

This coating has many common features with aluminum. This is the best option for smoothing the most sensitive and thin fabrics such as silk, synthetics, wool. Advantages of Teflon:

quick easy sliding on the material;
high-quality ironing - eliminating wrinkles of any complexity;
non-stick properties;
ease of care.

The advantage of the Teflon coating is its smoothness, so the sole of the device glides easily, smoothing out even established wrinkles.
The disadvantages include the material's susceptibility to mechanical damage. Teflon will not last as long as cermet or stainless steel.

Non-stick

An iron with a non-stick sole is able to cope with creases of any complexity and smooth out various types of fabrics, including delicate ones. Using this technique, you can tidy up clothes with many decorative elements (rhinestones, buttons, brooches, etc.).

The non-stick coating does not leave shiny streaks on the fabric. However, as in the case of Teflon and aluminum, such surfaces are easy to damage and quickly lose their properties.

The non-stick coating of the iron sole has a long service life.

Titanium

Titanium coating is applied to stainless steel. This metal has the highest strength, which is its main advantage. Other advantages of a titanium sole:

long service life;
non-stick properties;
good glide on materials;
uniform heating.

Irons with titanium soles can safely be called long-lived.
Minuses:

long heating;
heavy weight;
high price.

Manufacturer technologies

Many famous manufacturers have their own technologies for manufacturing the sole part of irons, which they have successfully used for many years:

Autoclean Crystal. This is a ceramic sole that is used by Tefal and Bosch. The self-cleaning surface warms up quickly and easily smooths out creases of any complexity. It is important to remember that this material is very fragile.
Crystal Ceramic. The Polaris company uses just such a ceramic sole in its devices. Pros: easy to smooth out wrinkles, non-stick properties, fast uniform heating, high-quality steaming. However, such irons are very fragile.
T-ionicGlide. The stainless steel soleplate in Philips irons heats up to the highest temperatures, so it can iron very wrinkled items. Stainless steel is durable, can clean itself, heats up quickly and does not leave marks on clothes.
Autoclean Catalys. The palladium sole in Tefal irons has a self-cleaning function, leaves no marks, glides well over the material, but is easily subject to mechanical stress.
Airglide Autoclean. Tefal's unique technology allows the device to glide easily over fabric. The enamel does not accumulate unpleasant odors, is durable, does not leave marks, has anti-corrosion properties, is easy to clean and does not deform even when exposed to concentrated chemicals.
Steamglide. The sole was invented by Philips engineers. Irons with such a coating glide easily over fabrics, practically without touching them thanks to the well-established steam supply system. The main material of the sole is steel, which is resistant to damage and durable. Sometimes the sole is made of glass ceramics or metal ceramics.
Palladium glissee (Ceranium glissee, Advanced glissee) is a unique technology offered by Bosch. The sole combines steel and ceramic. Such irons easily iron any fabric, they are durable and strong, and do not leave shiny spots on things.
Easy Gliding. The Tefal ceramic and stainless steel soleplate is easy to clean. This technology is used in the manufacturer’s most budget models.

Stainless steel in the sole

Stainless steel soleplates heat up a little slower than others. However, the perfectly smooth surface allows the iron to glide easily over the laundry. When used at home, scratches and nicks on steel material are almost impossible. The product is easy to clean from carbon deposits and does not leave shiny marks on fabrics. Due to their availability and durability, most buyers decide to choose these coatings. The only downside is that it is somewhat heavy, which can be inconvenient if you need to iron a large amount of laundry.

The worst sole coating, according to housewives, is Teflon. It requires a lot of care, because even with small scratches, an iron with such a coating begins to burn.

Criterias of choice

The sole part must meet the minimum requirements:

Suitable form for the purpose.
High-quality material that glides easily over clothes. A person should not make significant efforts while ironing.
Gentle on fabrics. The iron should smooth things out carefully without leaving kinks, snags or melting the threads.
Little friction.
Mechanical protection, strength and durability. During ironing, the sole comes into contact with metal or plastic fittings and can therefore become scratched. In addition, the iron may fall to the floor. The high quality sole is resistant to external influences.
Heating uniformity. To prevent damage to things, it is necessary that all points of the working surface have the same temperature.
Easy to maintain and use. It is best if no carbon deposits form on the sole at all. However, if it does appear, it is important that the contaminated material is easy to clean.

Slip is an indicator that is taken into account when choosing an iron to make the ironing process enjoyable.
When choosing an iron, you need to first of all pay attention to the material of the sole. If it is of poor quality, then all the most modern functions of the device (steam boost, self-cleaning, etc.) become meaningless, since ironing clothes will lead to damage.

It is important that the iron completely smoothes the material without obvious damage to its structure.

It is also important to consider the following features of a particular model:

Rear of the platform. Thanks to the rounding, the iron will not wrinkle things during the reverse movement.
Nose. The sharper it is, the easier it will be to iron hard-to-reach areas and decorative elements.
Number of holes in the sole. The more holes there are in the coating, the better the clothes and other items will be steamed. This point is very important if your wardrobe contains a lot of items made from highly wrinkled fabrics.
Special gutter. Modern devices have a thin edge, making it easy to place the iron under buttons and other accessories when ironing clothes. In this case, the decorative elements will not melt, even if the sole itself is heated to maximum temperatures.

It is important that the sole has the same temperature, this will allow you to iron the fabric perfectly without damage.

Disadvantages of ceramic surfaces

In addition to the advantages, this type of sole has several disadvantages:

Fragility. The surface cannot withstand any damage. Upon impact, enamel detachment immediately begins. Do not place the iron on high surfaces to avoid falling. Do not place the device near hard materials.
Iron thoroughly only at high temperatures. If the device is not hot, the sole slides with difficulty. This makes it more difficult to iron ruffles, silk or chiffon fabric.
Short service life. After 5-6 years the iron will fail. The ceramic coating will begin to peel off, leaving only the metal base. It may leave marks on the fabric. Especially if there is rust on it.

Also, cracks often appear on ceramic appliances. They make it difficult to slide and interfere with ironing. To prevent them, you should place the iron away from sharp objects.

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How to care for the sole covering

In order for the coating to last for many years, it is necessary to properly care for it. First of all, it is important to take measures to prevent scale formation:

fill the tank only with distilled water or filter it using a special high-purity filter;
After each ironing, get rid of any remaining water in the iron.

Important! Some models have a self-cleaning descaling function, which makes cleaning the devices easier.

Caring for your soles shouldn't be too difficult.
A few tips on how to prevent sole contamination and ensure its durability:

purchase a device with an auto-shut-off function in a horizontal position;
iron delicate fabrics only through gauze;
If clothes have prints, stickers and decorative elements, they should be ironed only on the wrong side.

If the fibers to the plantar part are still burnt, you can use the following recommendations:

warm up the iron well, remove any remaining fabric with a wooden spatula, and then iron the terry cloth (this method is suitable for cleaning the surface from burnt synthetics);
yellow plaque is removed with vinegar and ammonia, in which a cotton swab is moistened;
minor stains are removed with hydrogen peroxide;
synthetic fibers are wiped off with a cloth soaked in nail polish remover containing acetone.

It is recommended to select a device with a base made of a material from which various contaminants and burnt fibers can be easily removed.
When choosing an iron, the material from which the sole is made and its shape play a key role. If you make a mistake with the purchase, the device will become unusable after several ironings and ruin things.

Aluminum coating

Aluminum is malleable and ductile, easily takes any shape and is extremely common in any industry.

Irons with aluminum soles are inexpensive, since this alloy is quite common in nature. The material is silver-white in color, polishes well, and heats up instantly. The device with an aluminum base is virtually weightless. But there are serious disadvantages:

softness - scratches quickly form on the sole. They snag thin fabrics;
and the shine that remains on things after ironing.

Iron manufacturers heat treat the metal to create anodized aluminum. Its surface is transformed and an invisible protective film is created. But still, such soles are considered unreliable.

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