Who each type suits

Occasional pillowcase presser

If you press only a few pillowcases and want to keep utility-room storage simple, a conventional steam iron is a sensible starting point. Check its continuous steam, tank size and cord reach against your usual setup.

Crease-focused, hard-water household

If stubborn folds and scale maintenance drive your choice, compare the stated steam output and cleaning features of individual irons. Follow the water instructions for the exact model rather than assuming one routine suits every iron.

Frequent bedding-batch ironer

If pillowcases are part of regular, larger loads of bed linen, a steam generator’s separate tank may be useful. Allow for its base when planning a dry, stable place to use and store it.

What matters when choosing

Decide how much bedding you normally press before comparing steam figures: an occasional pair of pillowcases and a regular batch place different demands on tank capacity and storage.

Concern What to check Who this matters to
Crease removal Compare continuous steam and the available steam boost separately; check the temperature control against the pillowcase care label. If dried cotton has stubborn folds, I want steady steam for the whole task and a boost when a crease persists. Around 40% of consumers put crease removal first.
Simple setup and storage Check tank capacity, cord reach and where the iron can stand securely while cooling. For a few pillowcases, I want to set up the board without finding space for a separate base. Compact routine use comes first for around 40% of consumers.
Regular bedding loads Compare continuous steam, tank capacity and the space needed for a generator base. When pillowcases go into a larger bedding batch, I would rather consider fewer refill interruptions, provided the base fits safely. Around 20% of consumers prioritise handling those larger loads.

Buying pitfalls

  • Choosing a generator for an occasional pair of pillowcases

    A separate base takes more room than a conventional iron. Morphy Richards lists its Speed SteamPro generator at 6.2 kg including the base, a practical consideration if equipment must be moved or stored after each use.

    Measure the intended dry, stable storage space before choosing a generator. For smaller loads, compare conventional irons first.

  • Judging an iron by wattage alone

    Wattage does not tell you its continuous steam output, tank capacity or cord reach. A steam boost is also a separate, short-duration specification.

    Compare those features on the exact models you are considering, alongside temperature controls and cleaning requirements.

  • Following another iron’s water instructions

    Water and descaling instructions can differ between a conventional iron and a generator. A routine suitable for one model should not be assumed safe for another.

    Use the water type and cleaning routine stated in the manual for the model you buy.

  • Using an unsafe extension arrangement to reach the board

    A utility-room lead can run near water or across a walkway. Electrical Safety First advises against overloading or daisy-chaining extension equipment and says cable reels must be fully unwound to achieve their rating.

    Position the board so the lead stays dry and clear of walkways. If an extension is necessary, use a properly rated device and never use a damaged lead.

Brands to consider for these iron types

Philips

Its 3000 Series includes both a conventional steam iron and a separate-base steam generator.

  • Philips lists the DST3041/89R1 conventional iron with 40 g/min continuous steam and a 200 g boost, specifications to consider for smaller loads.
  • Philips lists 120 g/min continuous steam for the PSG3000/20R1 generator; that figure applies to the named model, not every Philips generator.

Tefal

The FV9845G0 is a conventional iron to compare if steam output, cord reach and scale-filter maintenance matter to you.

  • Tefal lists 60 g/min continuous steam, a 350 ml tank and a 3 m cord for the FV9845G0.
  • Check the cleaning instructions for its MicroScale filter; claims about avoiding scale marks should not be assumed to apply to other Tefal irons.

Morphy Richards

Its Power Steam Elite conventional iron and Speed SteamPro generator illustrate different tank and storage requirements.

  • Morphy Richards lists a 450 ml tank for the Power Steam Elite 302012 and a 1.6 L tank for the Speed SteamPro 332102 generator.
  • The Speed SteamPro 332102 weighs 6.2 kg including its base, so check where you would keep and move it.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Common questions

Do I need a steam generator for cotton pillowcases?

Usually not for just a few pillowcases: a conventional steam iron avoids the separate generator base. Consider a generator when you regularly press larger bedding batches and have suitable space for its base.

Which iron specifications matter most for pillowcases?

Start with continuous steam, a tank that suits your usual load, controllable temperature and enough cord reach for the board. Treat steam boost as an extra setting for difficult creases, and check the pillowcase care label before applying heat.

Can I put distilled water in any steam iron?

No single water rule fits every model. John Lewis & Partners advises that some irons can be damaged by unsuitable water, so follow the exact iron or generator manual for filling and descaling instructions.

What electrical checks matter when ironing in a utility room?

Check that the iron supplied for UK use has the appropriate three-pin plug and fuse, and keep its plug, cable and appliance away from water. Electrical Safety First advises against overloaded or daisy-chained extensions; inspect the lead, fully unwind any cable reel in use and unplug the iron when you have finished.