Industrial steam irons are a time-saving tool for any business that needs to quickly and efficiently press clothes. However, before you buy one make sure it’s safe in your hands as well as know when they’re necessary. That’s why our team has compiled all the information you need to decide whether these machines would be useful for you. We’ve even included a list of our personal favourites.
When do you need to use one?
If you are dealing with a large household’s worth of laundry on a regular basis, you should consider purchasing an industrial steam iron with a boiler. Additionally, if you are ironing commercially you need one.
How long do they last?
An industrial steam iron should last multiple decades, if not a lifetime. If you handle your machine carefully, you should never have to do anything other than clean it once every month.
Cleaning your machine
Cleaning your machine requires mixing half a cup of distilled white vinegar and half a cup of distilled water. This mixture is then wiped directly across the soleplate when the model is unplugged with a cloth. Inspect the steam vents for white residue or other buildup and use a toothbrush dipped in the vinegar mixture to clean them out.
How to use a commercial steam iron
If you have purchased a heavy-duty industrial steam iron, be aware that it can cause severe burns. That’s why you need to learn how to safely use yours. So here’s a step-by-step guide to safely and effectively using an industrial steam iron:
With every step make sure not to point the soleplate up towards you.
- Fill up the water container and turn on the machine
- Wait 5-10 minutes for your iron to come up to temperature on the heat-resistant rest
- Then discharge the steam in the iron by pressing the button located on the handle
- Now you can begin ironing your fabric
- For any stubborn creases, press the steam button on the area and go over the area twice
- Once finished, you can return your iron to its heat-resistant rest
- Turn off your machine and let it cool down before packing it away
If you want to check if your industrial steam iron is cool enough to be packed away, you can place a small amount of water on your rest mat and see if it steams the water. If it does not steam the water, you should be able to leave it for 5 minutes, by which point it will be cool enough to move. When you handle your machine, never touch the bottom of it, even when packing it away.
To see the steam iron in action, check out this video that shows you how to use one effectively:
What’s the best industrial steam iron for you?
When buying the best industrial steam iron for you, there are a few things to consider:
- Your ironing load (the importance of water volume)
- The time you are willing to spend on each fabric (the importance of pressure and pressing shapes)
- The money you are willing to spend on a machine (the importance of value for money)
Therefore we are gonna cover three of the most popular machines and what areas they benefit in relation to these factors.
Diana 1.2L Boiler & Iron
The Diana 1.2L is an entry-level model that will easily handle your weekly loads. With a price of only £289, you get great value for money. However, since it only has can hold 1.2L and has a pressure of 2.5 bars, you will likely have to spend more time on each ironing session.
Comel Snail 3 Litre
The Comel Snail 3 Litre is our next entry on the list. While you are paying £539, you have many useful benefits. This model has extra water capacity, which allows you to iron continuously without having to regularly refill the container. Probably the best feature of the Snail is the Teflon shoe which prevents scorch marks on dark clothes. The only area it does not surpass the Diana 1.2L is the pressure it produces. Using this model will take an equal amount of time for the same item of fabric.
Stirovap 604 vac bed and built-in boiler
The Stirovap 604 is everything you need for commercial ironing and comes in at £2,100. The Model 604 features interchangeable heated pressing shapes suitable for sleeves, trousers and jackets. Having an interchangeable heated press means you can go through bulk loads on the same item in rapid succession. Then with its impressive 5L water capacity, you can iron for hours without needing to refill the water tank.
It also comes with its own professional heated vacuum table. This does elevate the price but saves you from having to buy multiple separate components that might not work in unison together.
Equipment to go with your machine
If you are buying a heavy-duty industrial machine for commercial use, you will need to consider buying an ironing board or an ironing press.
Heated ironing board
A heated ironing board is a great time-saver, as it will allow you to quickly and easily press multiple items at once. They will also ensure that your clothes are wrinkle-free, as the heat helps to relax the fabric.
Using a heated vacuum ironing board will help to remove more stubborn wrinkles, such as those caused by creases or folds. This will save you time whenever you are planning on ironing and significantly reduce the time you need to spend.
Ironing press
With an ironing press, you can quickly and easily remove wrinkles from a variety of fabric types. With a larger pressing surface, you can save time and energy compared to using a traditional iron. They are great if you are frequently ironing large items like bedsheets or curtains since an ironing press can reduce the time you spend by as much as 60%.
Speak to an expert
If you still have questions about how to use or maintain your professional steam iron, then you should contact us on 0207 738 9040. Not only do we have experts that deal with our range of industrial and domestic sewing machines we have specialists with vast knowledge of professional-grade steam irons.