How to choose an ironing board: tips and tricks

Ironing boards make ironing easier and shorten the time it takes to iron your clothes. But that's not all they can do. Some models can be transformed into stepladders, built into furniture or turned into clothes dryers. Today we will tell you what are the advantages and disadvantages of each type of ironing board and what you need to look for when buying.

Types of ironing boards

Portable floor ironing boards

This is one of the most popular types of boards. They fold easily and can often be adjusted to fit a person's height. Many of them are equipped with an armband, iron stand, socket and cable holder.

Some portable boards can be transformed into stepladders or tumble dryers and vice versa. This is a good option for small spaces.

Advantages

• Excellent stability;

  Height adjustable (typically 30 cm);

• Clothes can be ironed in any convenient place;

• Some folding boards have additional functions. They can warm up the ironing surface, remove excess steam, blow out, which allows you to smooth delicate materials and small pieces of clothing.

• The board can be folded and hidden behind a wardrobe, door or sofa;

• The table top is long and wide enough to iron oversized clothes and bedding. As a rule, the length of the product varies from 120 to 125 cm, and the width – from 38 to 46 cm.There are also models with a length of about 140 cm and a width of 46 cm.

• A large selection of models, ranging from the simplest products, consisting only of the table top and legs, and ending with drying boards for clothes;

disadvantages

• Take up a lot of space when unfolded;

• We need to find a place where the board will be stored.

Table ironing boards

Tabletop models are installed on a flat surface, most often on a table. They are quite compact – the working surface is about 70–85 cm long and 30–35 cm high, lightweight (1.5–3 kg) and small non-slip legs. Such models are ideal for ironing underwear, small clothes, children's clothes. Plus, they're easy to store – many boards can be hooked to the wall.

Advantages

• Affordable price (from 350 rubles);

• Good stability;

• Low weight – easy to transport;

• Convenient to store;

• Take up little space;

disadvantages

• Not suitable for ironing large items;

• They do not have such additional functions as an iron or steam generator stand, holder for a cable, a built-in socket and

Sliding ironing boards

These models are most often built into full-size wall mirrors, but sometimes they 'hide' behind magnetic marker boards (for the nursery) or glass photo panels. To unfold the board, you need to move the facade to the side.

Coupé models are often equipped with an iron outlet and have the same worktop dimensions as conventional floorboards.

Advantages

• It is convenient for them to iron clothes of large sizes and curtains;

• Designed for heavy weight (from 20 to 50 kg);

• Easy to fold and unfold;

disadvantages

• High price (15,000–20,000 rubles);

• Cheap Sliding Planks are characterized by a flimsy construction and therefore low strength. In addition, the transformation mechanism can become loose;

• Cannot be moved to another room;

Pull-out ironing boards

Sliding boards are a great option for small apartments and for those looking to save more space. They can be installed together with a tumble dryer and washing machine, as well as built into drawers of cabinets or furniture walls.

Advantages

• Saving space;

• Suitable for quick ironing;

• Simple pull-out system;

disadvantages

• The retractable mechanism may break;

• The maximum load on such boards is about 10-15 kg;

• The ironing surface is small;

• High price (15,000-30,000 rubles)

Convertible ironing boards

Transforming boards look like a chest of drawers with several drawers / baskets for laundry, the surface of which is unfolded. The worktop has standard dimensions (about 120-130 cm long and 35 cm wide) and is often equipped with an iron stand. The cabinet body can have four wheels with a locking mechanism, which increases the mobility of the product.

Advantages

• Excellent stability;

• Good price, as for a 2-in-1 item (5,000-9,000 rubles);

• You do not need to lay out the board to iron small objects and baby clothes;

• Multifunctionality – storage of things and ironing of clothes;

disadvantages

• Low mobility;

• Height cannot be adjusted.

Choosing the material of the tabletop for the ironing board and its size

The strength and durability of the ironing board depends on the material of the tabletop, and the ease of use depends on the size. It is usually made from thermoplastic, aluminum, steel or wood.

1. Thermoplastic is one of the best options for ironing boards. It is a lightweight material, therefore an ironing board with such a tabletop weighs a little (4–5 kg). Thermoplastic surfaces are highly resistant to high temperatures, steam and moisture and have a long service life.

2. Wooden countertops are made from plywood or chipboard. This is the most budgetary option – folding wooden ironing boards cost about 500–1,500 rubles. However, wooden surfaces are not very durable – over time they swell, delaminate and become unusable.

3. Metal countertops are available in aluminum or steel. Aluminum models are corrosion resistant and lightweight, but they are prone to deformation – they bend and scratch easily. Steel products weigh more, but they are characterized by high strength and durability.

4. Metal countertops can be composed of a solid metal sheet with holes or metal mesh. Mesh surfaces are good at removing excess steam, but can leave perforation marks on clothing. This is a good option for steam cooking things. All-metal products are more durable, but with a small number of holes, they are less vapor permeable and have more weight than mesh countertops.

Ironing board dimensions

Ironing board worktops range in size from 30 cm to 46 cm in width and 70 cm to 150 cm in length. Small items are suitable for small spaces and temporary housing, as well as quick ironing and small items of clothing.

Choose large models if you have to iron a large amount of bed linen, towels and curtains. Of course, if you do not need to iron 'mountains' of bed linen every day, you can buy a regular ironing board with a surface of 110-120 cm in length and 30-38 cm in width.

Determining the coating for the ironing board

Ironing board covers are made from cotton and synthetic materials. Cotton is easily washed and breathable, but if cheap dyes were used to dye it, it can shed. Therefore, it is better to choose ironing boards with light-colored covers without patterns. Plus, cheap cotton covers don't last long.

1. Polyester is often used in the manufacture of budget ironing boards. Polyester covers often stick to the iron and build up static electricity. Their service life is 1–1.5 years.

2. The best materials for covers are fabrics with a metallized thread. They have non-stick properties, reflect steam and heat well, which provides two-sided ironing of clothes. Often these products are Teflon coated, which increases their durability and strength.

When buying, you should also pay attention to the type of cover fixation. It can be attached to the table top with elastic bands, tapes, Velcro and cords. Covers with elastic bands are considered the most unreliable, tk. over time, elastic bands stretch, and with cords – the most durable.

It is also important that the cover is padded (at least 2 mm thick). It facilitates the ironing process and protects from the marks left by the metal mesh of the table top on clothes.

Cover pads are made of batting, foam rubber and synthetic winterizer. Batting is not recommended for chipboard and plywood boards, because it has a high moisture permeability, and therefore contributes to the deformation of the wooden surface.

Stability and support

When buying, pay attention to the width of the legs and the method of mounting. If the legs of the ironing board are not wide enough, the stability of the product will be poor. The best option is when the bases of the legs are wider than the table top.

If the legs are attached to the table top and to each other with bolts and rivets, they can become loose over time. Rivets are considered the most unreliable method of fixing.

To prevent the board from slipping and scratching the floor, choose products with silicone or rubber caps on the legs.

When buying, pay attention to the shape of the legs. T-shaped structures are considered the most stable.

Locking mechanisms – ironing board height

The height of many planks can 'adjust' to the owner's height. In most cases, the tabletop can be raised 20-30 cm (up to 94-98 cm).

Ironing boards can have stepped and stepless height adjustment. The step-by-step adjustment allows the worktop to be raised 2-3 levels, and the smooth adjustment allows you to set the ironing surface at any height. However, over time, the reliability of fixing models with a smooth height adjustment is lost, and the structure looses.

We select the weight of the ironing board, iron stand and boxes for storing linen

When buying, be sure to pay attention to the weight of the ironing board. The lighter the product is, the easier it will be to carry and lay out. Ideally this should be a 4–7 kg board.

To make the product weigh less, manufacturers use perforated metal sheets, plywood sheets or thin chipboard. However, be careful – too thin wooden countertops will quickly deteriorate, and thin boards made of metal mesh will deform.

When buying, pay attention to the iron stand. The new euro stands, on which the iron can be placed in two positions, are not suitable for all irons. In addition, users have noticed that condensation collects and drips onto the floor in steam mode and at an angle. Classic horizontal coasters are suitable for any iron size.

Some folding ironing boards come with drawers or laundry baskets. They can be used to store freshly ironed laundry and thus save ironing time.

In addition, ironing boards are often equipped with accessories and features such as:

1. Undersleeve;

2. Built-in socket and extension cord;

3. Wire holder – prevents the cable from clinging to the countertop or clothing;

4. Pressurization – protects delicate fabrics (for example, velor) from damage;

5. Heating – things are ironed on both sides;

6. Vacuum – the fabric 'sticks' to the work surface, does not slip or wrinkle under the iron. This makes ironing easier and allows for perfect creases or arrows on the garment.

In the following articles, our experts will tell you how to choose a quality towel and the secrets of choosing a mop.

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.