I'm in the market for a new one and I want one that'll 1) last a long time and 2) get those stubborn wrinkles out of fabric. Does anyone have a favorited iron or fabric steamer to recommend? I heard Rowenta Professional is good, is it?

Also, sometimes I spray starch the fabric for those stubborn wrinkles but that doesn't seem to work. Any recommendations?

Thanks so much!

okay, Crafty, you asked. I bought a Rowenta because it is supposed to be a great iron and I HATE it!!! It sticks to everything I try to iron. I have repeatedly cleaned the bottom, to no avail! I will never again buy an iron that does not have a teflon bottom. Mine is a Black and Decker with an extra long cord and I love it. I have had it for about 8 years now and it still works great. I know that there are others in this board who own and love a Rowenta, so do not go by my opinion, if that is what you want.

To get wrinkles out of fabric I just use a spray bottle with water in it--lots of hot steam from my iron and the wrinkles disappear.

I hate my Rowenta. The Shark is awful. The Bella is a rip off. Just get a cheap one. The expensive ones are not any better. GE or Black and Decker under $40. The ones a mentioned above were all over $100. I do like this new spray they sell at quilt shops. It works...body in fabric, wrinkles gone, no flaking and no build up on iron. Pricy but worth it. They come scented and unscented. I use the unscented. I think it is called Mary Ellen's favorite.
Connie

I have a love/hate relationship with my Rowenta! I got one of those with the big steam capacity and long cord. It works great and I love it -- however, it takes it a long time to heat up and when you quit using it, it goes back to "sleep" (not off) and then it takes a long time to heat up, well -- you get the picture.

I have a $14 Proctor Silex, non-stick soleplate, adjustable steam/spray, extra long cord iron that does not have an auto shut-off and I love it. My only complaint is that it does not weigh enough. Two years ago it replaced a GE iron that I'd had since 1970. Can't tell you how long this one will last, but it's mostly plastic so probably not as long as the GE.

The iron I'm using right now is a Maytag cordless. It does have the auto shut-off, but I still like it pretty well. It seems to heat up quickly between uses. I just tweak the temp setting and it gets hot right away. I'm willing to trade the slight inconvenience of the shut-off for not having to hassle with a cord. It's nice and heavy and really gets the wrinkles out and presses my blocks nicely. I did have a fairly lightweight iron that I did not like at all. I tried Patrice's suggestion about putting a little vinegar in my iron water. Seems to work nicely on pressing.

Just like Nor'easter I too have a Proctor Silex, (K-mart on sale $9). Mine isn't heavy which is good because I have trouble with my wrists. It irons well, doesn't stick to anything, but I do have to watch the autoshutoff light. I wanted to trade up but they were all so heavy DH cautioned me not to.

i like a heavy iron. i suspect it's all in my head, but i just don't feel like i have an iron in my hands unless i know it will crush a toe if i drop it. :lol:

i bought a Black & Decker classic because somebody here recommended it when the subject came up sometime last year. i do wish the cord was longer, but i love everything else about it.

i looked at John's iron. a great idea ... for someday ... but for now .... YeeeeeOUCH!!!!! that's a price and a half! :shock: :lol:

nice link john something for me to consider

I have eight antique cast iron flat irons scattered around the house as bookends. If I really have to have a heavy iron, I can heat up one of those! :lol: