LAUNDRY TECH
5 Best steam Irons
Speed through the ironing pile with one of these hard-working crease busters. There’s more power behind the steam these days – check out the g/min number (grammes of steam produced per minute) for an idea of how much you’re getting for your money
THE DESIGNER-STYLE BARGAIN
An award-winning matt white design with a 100g/min continuous steam output and supersmooth soleplate. And the smart temperature control system means there’s no need to switch settings when you change fabrics.
IS5042 E CARESTYLE 5 STEAM STATION IRON, £79.20, BRAUN
THE DELICATE TOUCH
Gorgeous looks with a performance to match, this easy-to-store steam generator has an ultra-light iron with an exceptionally smooth soleplate that glides equally well over silk or denim, while the powerful 120g/min steam blasts away stubborn creases without the risk of scorching your delicates. GC7619/20 PERFECT CARE PURE STEAM GENERATOR IRON, £119, PHILIPS
THE CITY SLICKER
Weighing a little more than a basic iron, but offering continuous steam, with a soleplate that won’t leave shiny marks on dark fabrics, this is a hugely practical choice. Four Anticalc cleaning modes make it a wise buy for hard-water areas.
SENSIXX PROHYGIENIC TDI9080GB, £99, BOSCH
THE SPEEDY DE-CREASER
Upright steamers like this are used by clothes shops to keep their stock crease-free. Place the item on the hanger, use the steam wand on the fabric, and creases fall out. The stand is telescopic for easy storage and its three accessories include a handy lint pad for refreshing lightly worn clothes.
IS6200 COMPACT VALET GARMENT STEAMER, £99, ROWENTA
THE COMPACT GENERATOR
This purple powerhouse is a compact steam generator at a great price, especially when you consider its bright, easy-read digital display and ‘smart’ mode that chooses the best setting for your fabric automatically; a super-handy feature usually found only on premium models. SGA7126P, £89.99, BEKO