How do you stop condensation on an ironing board?

Whether you consider yourself an ironing pro or are brand new to the task, avoid these common errors:

1. Ironing fabrics that are too dry.

Mist creases with your iron's spray feature. This dampens and relaxes the fabric so when the iron passes over it, wrinkles vanish. Use the steam burst feature to give stubborn folds a blast.

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How do you stop condensation on an ironing board?

2. Saving your delicates for last.

Irons take longer to cool down than to heat up, so start with materials needing the lowest temperature, like polyester and silk. Work your way up to cotton and linen. Do the reverse, and you risk melting the fabric.

3. Cranking up the heat.

If the garment is made of a blend, select the setting for the more delicate fabric. It will help you preserve the garment.

4. Not using tap water.

Today's irons can handle tap water better than older models could. Unless your area's water is extremely hard, there's no reason to use distilled water. For areas with very hard tap water, mix it 50/50 with distilled.

5. Not cleaning your iron.

Melted fibers and sticky spray starch on your iron can snag and stain fabrics. Clean the iron's soleplate with a baking soda paste when it's cold or an iron cleaning paste, like Faultless Hot Iron Cleaner ($8, amazon.com), when it's warm.

6. Storing the iron with water in it.

Always empty the iron's water tank before putting the iron away, especially if you store it on its soleplate. This keeps excess water from damaging the internal parts and leaking through and discoloring the soleplate.

7. Not updating your ironing board.

In all our years of testing, ironing boards haven't changed much — until now. Recently we came across the Flippr Rotating Ironing Board ($150, amazon.com), an innovative board that flips. Button a shirt onto the board and iron both sides by flipping it! Use like a regular board for small pieces.

8. Not using a steam station for large loads.

If you iron in batches or do a lot of sewing or quilting, consider a steam station like our top pick, the Rowenta Perfect Steam Station DG8520 ($300, amazon.com) It has a large separate water tank with a hose that feeds steam to the iron. With no automatic shutoff, the heat stays constant for nonstop use.

9. Steaming fabrics without holding them taut.

For best results when using a handheld steamer, grasp hanging garments from the bottom and pull gently. For heavier fabrics that steam might not penetrate, turn the garment inside out and steam both sides.

Carolyn Forte is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Appliances and Cleaning Products Lab.

How do you stop condensation on an ironing board?

Home Care & Cleaning Lab Executive Director

Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.

If you’ve invested in a great steam generator iron the last thing you want is an ironing board cover that can’t hold up.

Problems such as water condensation that regularly wets the floor, or a foam underlay that warps with heavy steam use are issues that plague steam generator iron users when trying to iron with a standard ironing board cover.

Enough is enough! We’ve researched the most durable, steam generator capable ironing board covers available online, that will meet your needs and exceed your expectations.

Also see our best ironing board cover as well as our best ironing board for steam generator irons.


1. Steam Generator Ironing Board Cover

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The Gorilla Grip standard width 15 by 54 ironing board cover is our all-round winner for its excellent design, outstanding durability and affordability. It’s tough enough to handle even the most frequent and lengthy ironing sessions.

  • Fits standard board size 15 x 54 inches
  • Reflective silicone coating
  • Great durability
  • Scorch and stain-resistant
  • Excellent fit
  • Slightly pricier but worth the upgrade

3. Epica Silicone Coated Ironing Board Cover

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The Epica ironing board cover is made with heavy-duty ironing in mind. It’s specifically designed to absorb and disperse heat evenly with the silicone preventing scorching.

The silver surface reflects the heat back up from the cover and through your garments effectively pressing both sides at once. The silicone reduces the need for steam, so you’ll find a little goes a long way.

The inner foam padding is reasonably thick at 1/4 inch. The cover fits well with its elasticized edging giving you a tight, smooth finish for your ironing surface.  Adjustable Velcro straps are included for extra no slide security.

  • Scorch and stain-resistant
  • Optimal heat and steam usage
  • Outstanding durability
  • Secure and smooth fit
  • Affordable quality
  • Won’t fit well to anything other than a standard size ironing board

2. Brabantia Size C Metallized Extra Wide Cover

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Brabantia is trusted with all makes of irons, and the metalized cotton cover is a win for steam generator irons.

By combining the best of both worlds, the Brabantia ironing board cover enhances the natural steam absorbing capabilities of cotton with metal heat-reflecting technology.  Effectively using both heat and steam to give you a perfect press.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with any inner padding.  This needs to be purchased separately.

The cover is fitted with a cord and stretch system so you’re able to tighten or adjust the cover as you need to, giving you a taut and smooth ironing surface.

  • Heat reflecting metalized cotton
  • Excellent durability
  • Adjustable cord fastener
  • Doesn’t include felt pad

4. Brabantia Ironing Board Felt Replacement for Steam Generator Irons

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Ultimately designed to go under the Brabantia board covers, this felt pad is great for any other board too.

It’s a one-size-fits-all felt pad that is meant to be cut to your board specifications.

Simply trace around your board including a 2” – 3” wrapping gap and cut out the shape.

The felt will mound itself to your board when you’re using your steam generator iron.

The absorbent nature of felt works well with or without steam, allowing heat and steam to permeate the felt and pass through, giving you the heat you need, without worrying about scorching.

Lastly, the 0.2 inch felt pad comes with an extra resilient viscose layer to ensure faster ironing.

  • Heat resistant
  • Non-slip perfect fit
  • Permeable to facilitate the steam flow
  • One size fits all
  • Not included with Brabantia ironing board covers

Steam Generator Ironing Board Cover Buyers Guide

A steam generator iron is more demanding on a cover than an average iron.

There are varying factors that should be taken into consideration to prevent steam generator specific problems and instead, work with you to give your ironing the best possible finish.

Cover Materials

With the amount of steam a generator iron uses, it’s best to look for materials that will hold up.

100% cotton or metalized cotton – a mix of cotton and usually aluminum – are your safest options as they are very tolerant towards both heat and water.

There are covers made with specially formulated fabrics usually a combination of cotton, silicone and other reflective materials such as aluminum or copper which work well with heat.

In using a steam generator iron however, it’s best that the steam is not restricted in any way, but is encouraged to move freely through the cover and padding.

Felt and fiber inner paddings are your best bet, however, there are specialized (manufacturer specific) foam formulations that stand up well to high steam.

In selecting a cover that has a foam inner, a thicker and/or multi-layered foam padding will prevent it from becoming misshapen with the heat-steam combination.

Durability

When it comes to durability you can trust the offer of a warranty as back up to the claim.

A good quality ironing board cover should be treated so as not to be damaged by scorching or cleaning and last at least 2 years.

Key durability pointers for good steam generator ironing board cover are:

  • Good absorption
  • Breathable/steam permeable
  • Water, stain and scorch resistant
  • Wipe to clean
  • Thick padding
  • Felt padding
  • 2-year warranty

Ironing Board Size, Fit, and Adjustability

While many ironing board covers are made to fit a standard-sized ironing board, there are many ironing boards out there that are not standard.

Before choosing a cover, measure the length and width of your board to make sure you choose the best fit, especially if you’re looking at an elasticized ironing board cover.

Be aware that elastic perishes with time and heat, so the initial perfect fit may eventually loosen.  In this event, it helps to have undercover straps to secure the fit.

Choosing a cover with a drawstring type fitting system allows for good adjustability immediately and over time.  Look out for stronger cords and fastener systems.

For extra stability, some covers come with their own undercover fasters; being either Velcro straps, faster clips or ties.

If your cover doesn’t come with this feature, they can be purchased separately.

Affordability

Buying new covers and inlays every so often is drastically reduced when choosing a sturdy cover and durable inner specifically designed to combat these problems.

At best you have water condensation dripping at your feet.  At worst, it’s replacing the entire water damaged ironing board.

Why is my ironing board wet?

Causes of a wet floor while ironing This can have two causes: The top cotton layer of the ironing board cover is worn out. The foam inside, the felt layer, is worn out.

What can I put under my ironing board cover?

You can use cotton batting or thick decorator fabric or wool fabric (from old blankets); anything that will pad the metallic surface adequately. If you intend to iron a lot of wool clothes or thick fabric you will need a nice padding of about 3/8 inches inside.

Does ironing cause condensation?

Any activities that allow water to evaporate will increase humidity and lead to condensation. These include: Boiling liquids when cooking. Steam ironing or ironing damp clothes.

Should you spray water when ironing?

Ironing fabrics that are too dry. Mist creases with your iron's spray feature. This dampens and relaxes the fabric so when the iron passes over it, wrinkles vanish.