What You Should Know Before You Buy an Ironing Board

ironing-board

There are many ironing boards on the market today, and you might be wondering how to pick the best one. It can be tricky, but if you know what you’re looking for, you can easily find the right board to meet your needs. Keep reading to learn all about ironing boards and get tips on which ones will be best for your household or business.

How much ironing do you do?

Do you do your own ironing? Or do you send it out to be done? This is important because it will dictate which type of ironing board you need. The most common types of boards are full-size, and they’re perfect for busy people who don’t have time to wait around for their clothes to be dry-cleaned. Compact ironing boards are best if you only have a small amount of laundry that needs tending to. Most people with regular jobs will find that a full-size board is ideal—but some models do offer a compact version as well. This extra option can save you money, space, and energy in the long run. For more information on which type of board is right for your lifestyle, contact us today.

Do you plan on traveling with your board?

If you plan on traveling with your board, or would like to in case of a sewing emergency, you’ll want to make sure it folds up for easy transport. Full-size boards fold up easily into a much smaller package than travel models—which are too small for most people’s needs—so be sure you know what size board will fit your lifestyle. For example, if you plan on using your ironing board once every few months or so, a travel model might be ideal. If, however, you have little space in your home and often take on dressmaking projects, it may be worth investing in a full-size ironing board that won’t get used as frequently.

Which type of ironing board is best for you?

Between ironing boards that stand up, ironing boards that lay flat, and combo ironing boards with both types of surfaces, you have a lot of options. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to determine which one is right for you without considering several factors: your budget, what type of clothes you’re going to be ironing most often (t-shirts or dress shirts), how much space you have in your home or apartment. Below are our favorite picks for each category.

How important is quality?

On some level, you know that buying a good ironing board is important. After all, if your board isn’t sturdy or adjustable, it could cause more problems than it solves. But just how important is a quality ironing board? That depends on what kind of clothing you like to wear and how much time you have to spend making sure those clothes look their best. A higher-quality iron can help remove wrinkles faster (which saves time) and keep garments looking their best longer (which saves money). An ironing board that’s too short or too small may require constant readjustment as you work—something that can lead to accidents and/or frustration if you need to move around frequently during a hectic day.

How much are you willing to spend?

The price of ironing boards can vary from as little as $15 to over $300, so it’s important to determine what your price range is before beginning your search. Budget models may not have a lot of bells and whistles, but they typically get basic jobs done while you save up for a more expensive board with features like built-in steam generators. Whichever style you choose, we suggest spending at least $20—anything less could be flimsy and wear out quickly. Spending anywhere between $20 and $50 will net you a decent model that should last for several years.

What’s the warranty policy like?

Warranty is a great indicator of how well a company stands behind its products. If a board comes with only a 90-day warranty, it’s probably not very good quality. On the other hand, if you see a five-year warranty on your favorite ironing board, that means that both its manufacturer and retailer have confidence in their product. A long warranty also means that you’ll be covered for quite some time—and will save money in repair costs and new purchases if something goes wrong down the line.