New steam iron report

[eleny]

My GE Light 'N Easy iron still works after many years but the plate is starting to go. So I got myself a Black and Decker Digital Advantage D2030 steam iron a couple of weeks ago and am happy with it so far. The Black and Decker is rated as Best Buy at Consumer Reports and with the coupon I got a break at Bed, Bath & Beyond.

It heats in a flash, beeps when it's ready and is lightweight.

After checking out the price of some ironing boards I decided to keep my ancient one. It's as heavy as the Polder carried at my BB&B, so I'm sticking with my oldie. Also, decades ago I found an old wooden ironing board at the tag sale. It's in good condition and would look neat if I had a separate laundry room large enough to have it up all the time. I need to get or make a new cover for it and give it a whirl.

[Longhorn]

1. I have a pull-out ironing board in my bedroom.

It's full-width but about 2/3 the length, which works just right for just about everything I iron (I still have a full-sized ironing board tucked away in a closet if I need something bigger but I can't remember the last time I got it out!) It is so great to just open a cabinet door, pull the board down, turn on the light and the iron and I'm ready to go, even if the whole thing leaned in a corner of my bedroom for two years before my husband got around to installing it. ;)

I could use a new iron but can't justify it yet. Thanks for the report on yours! :hi:

[eleny]

2. I like those boards that are in a cabinet

My house is not so big and we don't have a basement. But there's a very far corner in the breakfast area that could work for such an ironing board cabinet. Some fit pretty flush to the wall. And what I like about them is that they can't wobble or tip. My old iron is still in good shape but it did fall off the board when I first got it. Something has been rattling around in it for years and years but it works okay. When the plate started to go I looked for a new one. I don't iron enough to justify the high end Rowentas and they're pretty heavy, too. It worked out well with the coupon.

You're welcome! :hi:

[Longhorn]

3. Mine only sticks out about the width of the cabinet door

plus another couple of inches. Most of it is in the wall between the studs. The location couldn't have been more perfect because even when it's set up, it's not in the way, though we do have to walk around it a little if we enter our bedroom and go straight to the bathroom. It also has a metal plate that shields the wood so that you can put the iron back when it's still warm. There's even room inside for a spray bottle and scissors. :D

My problem with irons used to be that my husband would "borrow" mine to use in his shop so I finally gave him my old one and I should be good until that one breaks or dies. ;) If I did a better job of getting the clothes out of the dryer immediately, I wouldn't have to iron so much! Fortunately, I have LOTS of clothes (former online shopping addict) so I usually just do a marathon ironing session about once every two months. :)

[OnionPatch]

13. I have one of those, too.

It's one of those things that you ask yourself, "Why didn't I get that a long time ago?" after you buy it. It's so easy and convenient. My only gripe is that it's hard to find the right sized covers for it.

[Longhorn]

14. I haven't had to replace mine yet

but there's a number to call on mine to order replacement parts. I'd be happy to post it for you if you're interested.

[OnionPatch]

15. Yes, I would, thanks.

The elastic is worn out and it's a pain trying to iron when it keeps coming off. I considered buying a standard cover and sewing it to fit but it would be a lot easier to buy one that fits in the first place.

[Longhorn]

16. Mine is a Nutone, made by Broan Manufacturing Company.

Here's a link to the page where you can see their ironing board systems and see which one may be most like yours: http://www.nutone.com/product-category.asp?CategoryID=10071 On each product page, there's a link to the page where you can order parts, including the covers and pads.

I hope this helps! :hi:

[OnionPatch]

17. Great. Thanks!

Mine isn't the same kind but the size looks just about right.

[Warpy]

4. I bought a wooden ironing board new in this town

when I first moved here, but I think it was from a now defunct indie hardware store. My GE cheapo iron started to leak, so I hauled booty off to Target and found the bottom of the line Rowenta on sale.

It's been a great purchase so far, stainless plate that's easy to clean, easy to fill, lots of features like spray and steam blast. I buy distilled water to use in it because the water here is hard as a brick.

I put crutch tips on the legs of the ironing board and just set it up wherever I need to.

[eleny]

5. Crutch tips are a great idea

When I get the wooden board out of the shed I'll check the legs for size and do the same. That should keep it pretty stable. My wooden ironing board is pretty heavy.

[Dover]

6. I bought myself one of those steamers and it works great!

Just hang the shirt on a bar and run the steamer up and down it. No burned clothes or unwanted creases. I can understand why some people prefer a more starched and crisp look, but it's not my style and this seems easier on the clothes too.

[Longhorn]

7. Which kind did you get?

I checked into one last year but I couldn't seem to find one (in my price range) that had very good reviews.

[NMDemDist2]

8. I have an old one by Presto that works great but I've been faithful

to use ONLY distilled water in it

[Dover]

9. Well, I got mine at an 'estate sale' and the price was right.

Actually it wasn't a real estate, just a regular smallish ranch house. An elderly woman died and her daughter was conducting the sale.
The woman had been a seamstress, so she had a somewhat professional looking garment steamer called a Jiffy J-4000M that just looked like it got the job done. I've linked to a web page that shows it.
http://www.allbrands.com/products/abp02466-0085.html

But Jiffy sells garment steamers new in several price ranges.
I didn't do any research before buying the steamer. Technologically speaking, it all seems pretty straightforward, so I don't know what makes one much better than another. But this one works great.
And I keep a jug of distilled water next to it for easy refill.

If you do some research, maybe it might help to ask local seamstresses or professionals what they'd recommmend. And the online reviews are usually pretty good too.

This is a page of different brands.
http://www.bizrate.com/garmentsteamers/

On edit: Oops. Linked to the wrong model, but corrected it.

[Longhorn]

10. Seeing the photo reminded me that I had checked into the flat steamers.

You've got me thinking! I get so behind on ironing and a good steaming is usually all that my clothes need. Thanks for the information! I'm going to do some more checking. :hi:

[Dover]

11. This model looks like a good and less expensive one.

It's a new smaller residential model and probably, because the resevoir is smaller than mine it will heat up faster.
http://www.vcdiscounter.com/j2m.html

If mine is full it takes a good 15 minutes to heat up to steam power, so can't be in too much of a hurry.

And unlike regular ironing I can steam something while I'm only half awake without too much risk to myself, garment or house...lol! :hangover:

Good luck!

[Longhorn]

12. I'm going to bookmark this thread for now

so that I can check again when I have a little money to spend. Thanks again!