The reason you should choose a steam iron is because it is more effective in removing creases and wrinkles from clothes. A built-in water reservoir generates steam that is used to 'iron' out the creases and wrinkles. Besides steam, the weight of the iron also influences the quality of press. Heavier the iron, better is the resulting crease or fold. Today, you'll find steam irons with a lot many features, which can make it difficult to choose one. The right iron is one that can easily iron a range of fabrics, from silk to cotton and linen in less time, and that too with good results. Features to Consider When choosing a steam iron, it is vital that the model you choose has the right balance between features and certain basic provisions like safety and energy requirement. Here are some tips that will making the task of choosing a bit easier. 1. Auto Shut-off An essential safety feature that switches off the iron in case it is left unattended for a specific amount of time. However, you find it on all models. Some irons offer additional safety by including a 3-way auto shut-off that turns off the iron automatically, no matter if it's left upright, face down, or on its side. 2. Self-cleaning Some steam irons come with a self-cleaning feature, which means you need not put in extra efforts to clean your iron, just watch it clean itself instead! This can be really handy if you live in an area that has hard water, as the mineral deposits caused by hard water clog the steam vents making it difficult to clean them. 3. Steam Bursts To tackle stubborn creases successfully, sometimes, all you need is a burst of steam that is targeted at the crease. Some steam irons come with the steam burst button that is really useful when ironing fabrics like cotton, linen, and relatively tough fabrics such as denim. 4. Variable Heat Settings Variable heat settings are essential because different fabrics have different heat requirements. For starters, while fabrics like cotton and linen require higher temperatures, delicate fabrics like silk must be ironed at very low temperatures. Some irons have heat settings marked for different fabrics, which makes it easier to set the correct temperature for a particular fabric. 5. Multiple Steam Settings Just like the temperature settings are different for different fabrics, the same can be said for the amount of steam required. If your iron has variable steam settings, then it becomes easy to use it safely on different kinds of fabrics, without the risk of causing damage to delicate fabrics. 6. Cordless A cordless iron can be really convenient as you won't have to worry about the cord dragging along and causing wrinkles on the fabric. However, before you choose a cordless model, make sure the battery life is sufficient to meet your requirements. 7. Vertical Steam This feature allows you to use the iron to remove creases and wrinkles from hanging fabrics, such as upholstery, by emitting a powerful burst of steam. Soleplate The soleplate is the bottom surface of the iron that comes in contact with the clothes. You can find irons with soleplates made of different materials. However, a soleplate made of scratch-resistant material, such as stainless steel, is considered the best as it easily glides over your clothes. However, if you use starch on your clothes, then it is best to opt for a nonstick soleplate that is easier to clean. Water Chamber Capacity The water chamber or the water reservoir is where you fill water that gets converted to steam, emitted by the iron. The capacity of the water chamber determines the quantity of clothes that you can take up for ironing at one go. If you are in the habit of ironing in batches, then you must look for an iron with a higher capacity water chamber. This way, you won't require a refill frequently. Talking about the water chamber, choose a model with a transparent chamber or a model that indicates the level of water inside the chamber. Wattage The wattage determines the rate at which your iron heats up, and higher the wattage, the quicker your iron heats up. Most irons meant for home use have a wattage of 1200 to 1400 watts. Note that an iron of higher wattage consumes more electricity. Brand The brand matters when it comes to buying electrical appliances, because bigger brands pay more attention to meeting safety standards, even if they ask you to pay a little more. Just research a little on the brands that are the most popular in the market before you make your decision. Weight Remember that an iron is an appliance that you may have to use every other day, and hence, it should not be so heavy that it keeps you away from the task altogether. Before you buy an iron, don't forget to test it yourself to make sure you would be comfortable using it. However, remember that a heavy iron is more efficient, especially when you have heavy fabrics. Now that you know what to expect from steam irons, why not go and get one? It would surely be of great help in making your task of ironing easier and enjoyable!