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Ironing is, for most people, a bit of a chore. It’s something that needs to be done, but very few people enjoy it. You can watch TV or listen to music whilst you’re ironing in order to relieve the boredom a little - but it’s never going to be what anyone would consider fun.

However, many people now have the opportunity to significantly reduce the amount of time that they spend “doing the ironing” thanks to changes in technology. Steam generator irons have now become available to the general public. In the past, they were the preserve of dry cleaners and professionals. Users commonly report a 50% reduction in ironing time when using a steam generator iron.

In terms of appearance, steam generator irons look quite similar to conventional steam irons - but with a large base unit. It’s the base unit that makes the difference. Steam generator irons don’t have any water inside the iron itself - that large base unit is actually both a water reservoir and boiler which is used to generate large volumes of high pressure steam. This is fed to the iron by means of a hollow connecting tube.

Using the above technique, steam generator irons produce much more steam than a conventional steam iron. It is also at a higher pressure. This large amount of high pressure steam penetrates deep into the fabric of whatever you’re pressing and makes it easier - and faster - to remove creases and wrinkles. The end result is better and, as previously mentioned, you can cut your ironing time in half like this.

Steam generator irons do tend to cost a little more than traditional steam irons. However, considering the time savings, plus the improved quality of the finished garments, you may be quite happy to pay the price. Discounts are often available both online and offline. If you know what you’re looking for then you might just be able to snap up a bargain.

There are five main criteria that you should consider when selecting a steam generator iron:

1. The quantity and pressure of the steam.

2. The amount of water that can be held in the water tank.

3. The soleplate.

4. The ease of cleaning.

5. How user friendly it is.

Steam output is usually specified in grams of steam per minute. An output somewhere in the range of 70 - 140 g/min should be adequate. Steam pressure in the range of 4.5 and 5.0 bar is desirable and should allow you to achieve the time savings previously mentioned.

Make sure that the water reservoir is a decent size for you so that you don’t need to keep stopping to refill it. A 1.4 litre tank should provide enough steam for a couple of hour’s worth of ironing. Larger tanks are also available.

The soleplate should be durable and should glide easily across the fabric to be pressed. Materials such as stainless steel and ceramics tend to make good soleplates.

If your house is supplied with hard water, then you will need to make sure that you avoid any accumulation of scale in your iron. This can reduce the efficiency of the device and also shorten its useful working life. The Tefal steam generator iron range incorporates a very handy scale trap which can simply be unscrewed, cleaned under running water and then replaced back into the iron. Other manufacturers use different techniques, including removable cartridges. Chemical treatment is another possibility, if a somewhat little less convenient one.

When it comes to ease of use, this will be very dependent upon the requirements of different users. However, it’s a good idea to pick a model which has a long enough connection between the base unit and the iron so that you can position the base on the ground should you wish. This is especially useful if you have a small ironing board.

A detachable reservoir which can be taken to the sink for filling directly under the tap might be useful. Many people will find this easier. A fast heat up time after filling is definitely desirable. A heat up time of no more than a couple of minutes should be achievable with the majority of modern steam generator irons.

Discover how you can cut your ironing time in half by using a Tefal steam generator iron - it’s a lot faster and the end result is better as well

An ironing board is, without doubt, a mundane item of household equipment to which the majority of people give very little thought. However, it is an essential item for any household and, if you choose the wrong one, then you might end up with badly pressed garments, take more time than you need to when ironing and even put unnecessary strain on your back.

Most people today use steam irons - or even steam generator irons, which are becoming ever more popular. In this case you definitely want to get an ironing board which has a mesh construction. This allows the steam to pass through the fabric of the garment being ironed, through the cover of the ironing board and through the top of the board itself. It helps to prevent the ironing board cover becoming soggy due to condensation after a few garments have been ironed.

The cover of the ironing board should present a smooth surface to facilitate ironing. It should be secure and not prone to slipping. An elasticated cover, possibly with one or two cross-ties at the centre, is generally a good design which won’t move about as you iron. A metalised cover will reflect some of the heat and this will help to smooth the underside of the garment whilst the top surface is being ironed.

The size and shape of the board that you select will depend, to a large extent, on the type of things that you usually iron. Whilst a smaller board may be easier to store and work around, it will normally mean that the garment being ironed needs to be repositioned more frequently. Ironing the shoulders of shirts and blouses will be easier if there is a marked taper on the “pointy” end of the board.

Scissor action legs are pretty much the norm. It should be possible to adjust the height to a level that suits you and doesn’t cause any back strain. If you like to iron from a seated position then legs which have a curve on them - so that you don’t bang your knees on them - are a good idea. The legs should provide good support. A broad T-piece, or legs that splay to a good width and have a connecting bar, are usually good options.

The support for the iron should be strong enough to support the iron’s weight. For a traditional steam iron a wire frame type of arrangement is generally sufficient. Due to their large base units, steam generator irons can be quite a bit heavier than normal steam irons. A slightly longer board which just uses a heat resistant plate on its surface may be better for this type of iron. Alternatively, the base unit could be placed on the floor - as long as the connecting hose between the base unit and the iron is long enough to allow this.

Ironing is a thankless task at best. Cut it down to size with a Tefal steam generator iron - you’ll be delighted at just how much time you can save.