Irons and steamers: how they work

In short: Irons smooth textile fibres through the combined effect of heat, pressure, and often steam. Steamers use only steam without direct pressure to remove wrinkles.

In more detail: Heat makes fibres pliable, steam softens them further, and pressure presses them into a smooth shape.

In detail

• Temperature settings: Different fabrics need different temperatures; ironing too hot can damage or discolour fabric.
• Steam function: Water vapour penetrates fibres more deeply than dry heat, smoothing them more efficiently.
• Spray function: An additional water mist spray can pre-treat especially dry or heavily wrinkled fabrics.
• Soleplate material: Ceramic or stainless steel soleplates glide across fabric with different ease, affecting the ironing result.
• Limescale deposits: Hard tap water can calcify steam vent openings; distilled water extends the device’s lifespan.
• Steamers: Hang clothing vertically and smooth it contactlessly with steam, gentler on delicate fabrics.
• Safety: Automatic shut-off after inactivity prevents fire hazards from forgotten, still-switched-on devices (waschmaschine-funktionsweise, waeschetrockner-funktionsweise).