From: "DrClean" 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers alt.home.cleaning rec.crafts.textiles.quilting misc.consumers.house
Subject: Re: Table Top Steam Press, are they better than regular clothes irons?
Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2003 13:30:33 +0100


"Kate Dicey"  wrote in message
news:3F28E73E.3C1369B2@diceyhome.free-online.co.uk...
>
> I found it too fiddly smoothing out the wrinkles on the hot thing before
> pressing - way too easy to press a BIG crease just where you don't want
> it, PERMANENTLY!  On the other hand, it was great for fusing bits of
> garments when sewing!  Wonderful for things like sheets and pillowcases
> in the days of pure linen ones (mine are all poly cotton, and don't get
> ironed at all).  I've never owned one, but I have used them in various
> different places.

This really is the main problem with presses. You need a vacuum to hold and
smooth down the garment and by the time you've done that you may as well
have ironed it. Also if you put a crease where it's not wanted you can ruin
a garment.

The type of iron you use depends on the results you want to achieve. A flat
iron with copious amounts of steam will get the best results on shirts and
cotton items. A hoffman (or similar) press will get the best results on
trousers, wool and woolen items. However, spend over £100 on an iron with
boiler and you will have enough steam to do all items with a great deal of
ease and there will be nothing you can't use it on.

Hope this helps
--
DrClean
www.DrClean.co.uk
The Best Fabric Cleaning Resource on the Web