How to choose an ironing board for home

The ironing process is perhaps one of the most monotonous and boring. For ironing, a large pile of washed laundry usually accumulates, and for an hour you need to stand for a monotonous occupation. Well, if the best participants will help in this - a good iron and a properly selected ironing board. How to choose an ironing board for the house - consider below.

Types of ironing boards - which one to choose?

It would seem that what could be unusual in a standard ironing board? But in fact, there are several types of this subject:

  1. Floor standing.
  1. Board.
  1. Transformers
  1. Recessed.

Each of the models has its pros and cons. For example, the most popular, the floor used to have several levels of height, and now they are released with a more "smart" regulator, which smoothly adjusts the height for the height of a person. In such models, good stability, a wide surface, often a removable cover, usually there is a stand for the iron and nozzles on the legs that protect the floor from scratches. But the weight of these boards is often large, and when disassembled, they are able to occupy half the room.

Desktop models, as the name implies, are installed on the table and have low, up to 15-20 cm legs. These boards have a slightly smaller work surface, but enough to iron clothes. Of course, you will have to tinker with bedding or curtains. The advantages of this model include compactness, lightness, mobility.

Tip: modern floor boards can successfully be equipped with additional functions - dryers, laundry baskets. It is convenient and practical.

Built-in ironing boards, perhaps the dream of every woman. They can be part of the interior or be hidden from the eyes, for their installation you do not need to look for free space. The main disadvantages of such devices are the high cost, fixing is always only in one place, the inability to complement other functions - a dryer or a basket.

Selection criteria

It is very difficult to choose an ideal board in all respects, no matter how common the task might seem at first glance. If it is a board with a wide and comfortable surface - it will be heavy and bulky. As soon as the device is selected for light weight, it will be necessary to sacrifice either the size of the working panel or the strength of the material of the entire structure. Solid compromises, but you can come to the best and most convenient indicators.

Countertop Options

Choosing the size of the countertops, you need to start from such factors:

  1. How often will the board be used.
  2. How much linen and what size will be ironed on it.
  3. How much space in the house can be allocated for a disassembled ironing board.

Having decided on these issues, it will be easier to choose the required size. Manufacturers do not adhere to 1-2 parameters, but provide such sizes to choose from:

  • 110 * 30-120 * 38 cm - these are the classic sizes of familiar boards;
  • 130 * 35-150 * 45 cm - more overall models, as a rule, modern;
  • 130-35-standard size for transformer boards that "hide" in dressers or cabinets;
  • 70 * 30 cm is the usual size for desktop options; they, as already mentioned, are the most compact.

Dimensions for built-in boards will certainly be individual to fit the requirements. In addition to the size of the countertop, you need to understand what material it is made of. Options may be suggested:

  • Particleboard, plywood, MDF - pressed wood boards. For strength, the plates are made thicker, and this entails an increase in the weight of the entire board. Like any tree, such countertops do not tolerate contact with moisture and can then delaminate.
  • Metal - it can be aluminum or steel. The first is lightweight, but can bend. Steel is heavier, but as a result of interaction with steam and moisture, the corrosion process can begin.
  • Plastic - it is especially important that it is heat resistant. Such countertops will have holes for the release of excess moisture, and the plastic itself is durable and lightweight. If you come across a model with a heat-reflecting tabletop, ironing will be much easier. True, this will increase the price of the board.
  • The metal mesh is a durable and high-quality material for the countertop, and will perfectly transmit moisture.

IMPORTANT: most often women are installing the board, so the weight of the countertop and the basis of the design are a very important parameter, even if at first it seems that this is not so.

Coating

For the perfect glide of the iron and thorough ironing of things, the substrate on the countertop and the cover are responsible. A poor-quality cover can not only “move out” from the surface, but also damage clothes. Good covers are made of quality material, and they can be of the following types:

  1. Cotton fabric is the cheapest option for a cover. Unfortunately, the “funny” colors of these covers can leave a mark on clothes, and in general the cover is not durable.
  2. Sailing is the best option for the material, it will allow you to "keep" clothes on the board, will not leave marks and stains, however, if the temperature of the iron is too high, burned spots may remain.
  3. Synthetics with heat-resistant properties - branded models of boards are equipped with such covers. The fabric is durable, high quality, and is sometimes able to reflect heat.
  4. Carbon fiber - the newest type of material, with a lot of useful properties - reflects heat, does not pass steam, which causes harm to the countertop. With such a coating, even linen products can be easily smoothed.

At first glance, when choosing a board in a store, it will seem that there is no difference what the backing will be made of. However, not every material is able to withstand the constant effects of heat and steam. What looks perfect when you purchase may disappoint after just a few months of use. What substrates can be and what kind of “steps” to expect from them:

  • The synthetic winterizer is the cheapest, and the most short-lived stuffing. Guaranteed to change its flat surface and complicate the ironing process .;
  • Foam rubber - also has a low cost, low density and appropriate quality.
  • Batting is an elastic filler, but it is difficult to tolerate moisture and accumulates it in itself. If you choose this packing, then the countertop should be perforated and, preferably, plastic.

TIP: when choosing a cover, it is important to pay attention to the method of attachment. As a rule, the cover should be removable, and the rubber bands or rivets that attach it to the countertop should not fall apart after the first wash.

If a board with a wooden tabletop is used, its cover can be nailed.In such cases, it is better to purchase an additional cover of the same size, and use it on top of the main one - then it will be possible to wash it.

Height

Given that people in their physiology do not have the same height, and the ironing process can be lengthy, the boards are equipped with height adjusters. It will be possible to regulate it in two ways - using a smooth mechanism and a step one. Smooth has an advantage - it can be tailored to any height individually. True, the cost of such a board will be higher, and the mechanism may become loose. Step-by-step adjustment is considered more reliable - 3-5 levels of height will be offered here.

IMPORTANT: when choosing a board with stepwise height adjustment, it is important to pay attention to the quality of fasteners and bolts.

Additional functions

In addition to the standard options for choosing an ironing board, some models can offer amazing additional features that you will want to have right away. When choosing a good ironer, pay attention to them. Here are some of the “bonuses” that expensive models have:

  • Supercharging for a cover - air is supplied from within and forms a layer. This function is convenient for steaming delicate places, thin fabrics, and unnecessary creases or creases will not be created nearby.
  • Air intake - by putting the fan in reverse mode, you can make the clothes "stick" to the board, which will make it even better and easier to smooth it. At the same time, excess moisture is also removed, so clothes will remain without stains and wet spots.
  • Heated countertops - this allows you to cope with the most "naughty" materials.

Such "options", of course, immediately affect the price tag of the ironing board. But you can get by with simpler, but useful additions:

  • Iron stand.
  • Built-in power socket.
  • Clamp for fixing the extension cord.
  • Compartment for ironed laundry.
  • "Sleeve" for ironing sleeves.

Whether the ironing board will possess these functions or not is not so critical. It is much more important to choose a convenient model that is suitable for weight, surface size, height and convenience. Which model will be up to you to decide.

Watch the video: Best Ironing Boards 2019. TOP 12 Ironing Board (March 2024).

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