Single hen

[The Dogmother]

I have a problem - I love ironing, but have found that I get tennis elbow doing it

 

Now, I'm no weakling and can't understand it, but am loath to replace a new iron with one which may cause the same problem. I am convinced that it is this new iron, which I think is heavier, or the grip is wider than the old one. I've never had this condition before, but it is very painful.

 

A friend is going away for a week and has I am looking after his house and elderly puss; he has said that I should borrow his steam generator thingy, which is altogether lighter, and see how I get on with it.

 

What are your opinions on them?

[Egluntyne]

I love mine. It halves ironing time and deals with heavy items such as jeans in a trice.

 

Mine is made by Tefal.

[Seagazer]

I love mine too. Its a Philips Intellicare. I got it because I keep getting tendonitis in my elbow and shoulder (damn those loose ligaments ) and its much easier as the iron obviously doesn't have the water chamber in it.

 

I would never go back to an ordinary one now. I do love ironing though as well

[Snowy]

Clare, how high do you have your ironing board? It could be an ergonomic problem rather than just weight. As someone who is also vertically challenged, I find there is less strain on my shoulder and arms when the board is lowered a few inches. Try hanging your ironing arm straight down by your side, then bend your elbow without lifting your shoulder at all. When your arm is creating a 90 degree angle, the ironing board should be two or three inches below your hand. Play around with it at roughly that height. It should be low enough for you to iron with relaxed shoulders, but not so low that you are leaning over it.

 

Having said that, I love my steam generator - I do spend much less time on my ironing now. Mine is a Morphy Richards (it was half price from Amazon about a year ago).

[Old Speckled Hen]

I'm curious.

I have looked at these but thought they looked clumsy. Are these the irons attached to a water reservoir via a tube?

I hate ironing and anything that made it better/easier would be a Godsend.

[Sheilaz]

I look forward to using mine! Bought it a year or 2 ago, having read about them er, here on the forum, and would never go back to the cheapo irons. Initial outlay but you can find offers, but makes ironing a breeze.

[Egluntyne]

I have looked at these but thought they looked clumsy. Are these the irons attached to a water reservoir via a tube?

 

Yes.

 

The only downside that I can see is that they take up more storage space.

[feemcg]

I love mine too....I don't mind ironing but it's a lot quicker now. It's a Tefal Pro-Express.

[The Dogmother]

Thanks Guys, I have done a workstation assessment Snowy and fiddled with the height of the ironing board. Annoyingly it has only started since I had this iron I wouldn't mind but it wasn't the cheapest.

 

I think I will try Steve's gadget and see what I think.

[Willow]

deals with heavy items such as jeans in a trice

 

You're supposed to iron jeans I don't think I've ever ironed a pair of jeans

[Ana's flock]

I've got a Tefal too and it works a treat. By speeding the ironing it reduces the time you spend so chances are that your elbow would improve. I agree with Snowy Howels too, have a fiddle with the height of the board, it can make all the difference... Good luck!

[Blackrocksrock]

I have a polti steam cleaner and I bought the iron attachment - I love ironing now compared with before and the creases come out of jeans and duvet covers and pillowcases etc no problem - even drying cloths! yes I iron mine.

Go for it and have a try - you will love it.

[TAJ]

I have a Tefal one - brilliant item - everyone in the family uses one now - I wouldn't go back to a 'normal' steam iron as it is soo much easier.

 

Tracy

[Lewis]

Mother loves hers

[Yorkshire Pudding]

I've got a Tefal too - a real improvement on the old iron.

[Minnie the Moocher]

I'm sorry.

 

I've reread this thread twice.

 

It would seem that some of you enjoy ironing?

[Blackrocksrock]

I'm sorry.

 

I've reread this thread twice.

 

It would seem that some of you enjoy ironing?

 

 

I can see why you say this but if you can try one you would know how fast and easy it is to get rid of the pile of ironing which no one wants to do except if you have a steam generator iron.

I must say I dont really love it but I much prefer it to the old irons

[jomaxsmith]

I've got a Phillips pressurised steam generator one which cost around £120 (I got it cheaper than that through an internet testing site).

 

It's good, but not worth £120!

 

Initially I thought it ironed better than my pretty good Bosch iron but as it's aged (even with regular descaling) the steam has got less powerful.

 

The iron itself is lighter to use as the tank sits away from the ironing board (you need to work out where you usually iron - I have to stand somewhere near a stable surface for the tank of the iron to be on) but is quite noisy, bulky to store and heavy to put away.

 

It does get through the ironing quicker but you still have to do it!

 

Jo

[The Dogmother]

Does the tank have to be up on a surface then rather than on the floor beside the ironing board?

 

The space would be an issue for me too; the neighbour keeps his on his dining table

[Egluntyne]

I have mine down on the floor.

[Seagazer]

When I bought mine in John Lewis they were doing an offer that it came with an ironing board and my steam generator sits in the normal iron plate. The ironing board is a brabantia. The generator and iron aren't too heavy.

[jomaxsmith]

I've got small boys so wouldn't put mine on the floor but don't see why you couldn't

 

Jo

[Blackrocksrock]

Mine is pressurised but polti dont need descaling at all and it is as good as the day I bought it.

[Milly]

I can't say I enjoy ironing, but a steam generator does make it more bearable. We have had a de Longhi for several years and it's quite good. Can't remember why we bought that make - probably because it was reasonably priced.

 

I need to have it on a table by the ironing board - I think if it was on the floor the iron wouldn't reach the whole length of the ironing board.

 

A tip I picked up was to turn down the heat but leave the steam on full - it gives more steam and makes ironing easier.

 

Milly