Beginners Must Read: Top 10 Common Mistakes When Using a Steam Iron And How To Avoid Them

For many novices, a steam iron is a magical tool that can not only quickly remove wrinkles from clothes, but also make the clothes look neater. However, if used improperly, a steam iron may cause some troubles and even damage your clothes. So, as a novice, what common mistakes do you need to avoid? Let's talk about the top ten mistakes often made when using a steam iron and how to avoid them.

 

1. Ignoring water quality issues

Many people ignore the impact of water quality on steam irons. Hard water contains minerals, which will accumulate inside the steam iron to form scale. Excessive scale accumulation not only affects the steam effect, but may also damage the iron. Avoidance method: Try to use soft water or distilled water, clean the iron regularly, and keep it working properly.

 

2. Forget to preheat

Many people can't wait to start ironing as soon as they pick up a steam iron, but they find that the steam effect is poor and the clothes can't remove wrinkles. Avoidance method: Be sure to wait for the iron to preheat before use, usually a few minutes, to ensure sufficient steam and the best wrinkle removal effect.

 

3. Ironing directly on the floor

Some novices are used to putting the iron on the floor to iron, or even laying it flat. This is not only inconvenient to operate, but also easy to damage the clothes or produce unnecessary wrinkles. Avoidance method: Hang the clothes when using, or use an ironing board, so as to avoid the clothes from directly touching the floor, which is more effective.

 

4. Improper steam adjustment

Some novices do not know how to adjust the steam volume, resulting in too much or too little steam. Too much steam will make the clothes soaked, and too little steam will make it difficult to remove wrinkles. Avoidance method: Adjust the steam volume according to different clothes. Thicker clothes can increase the steam volume, while thinner clothes are suitable for using less steam.

 

5. Ironing for too long

Many people think that the longer you iron, the smoother the clothes will be. In fact, long-term heating may cause the fabric to deform or burn. Avoidance method: The ironing time should not be too long each time, especially on more sensitive fabrics, and pay attention to controlling the temperature and time.

 

6. The iron is too low or too high

Placing the iron too low or too high is not good. Too low may not produce enough steam, while too high may cause splashing. Avoid: Keep the iron on a level surface and make sure the water tank is not too full or too low.

 

7. Using the wrong temperature

Different fabrics require different temperatures to iron. Using too high a temperature to iron easily fusible synthetic fabrics or too low a temperature to iron cotton fabrics will not produce good results. Avoid: Understand the material of the clothes and choose the appropriate temperature setting.

 

8. Forgetting to clean the iron

Over time, the nozzles of the steam iron may accumulate scale or dirt, which will affect the steam flow and may even stain the clothes. Avoid: Clean the steam iron regularly, use a special cleaning tool or add a small amount of white vinegar to the water tank to remove scale.

 

9. Over-reliance on steam

The steam function of the steam iron is to assist in ironing and wrinkle removal, but it does not mean that steam is the only solution. Some deep wrinkles may require pressure and time to resolve. Avoid: The steam iron can be used with moderate pressure when dealing with deep wrinkles, or use appropriate manual techniques to enhance the effect.

 

10. Improper storage

Some beginners put the iron in an inappropriate place directly after ironing, or store it before it is completely cooled down, which may cause damage to the internal components. How to avoid: After using the iron, let it cool down completely before putting it back in the storage place. Never place the iron on fabric or in a place with heavy humidity.