Atomist Vapour Iron Feedback Thread. NON TESTERS please share your best tips on speedy ironing for a chance to win a £100 John Lewis voucher! NOW CLOSED

[PoppyMumsnet]

This is the feedback thread for the 15 MNers who tested the Atomist Vapour Iron, but also NON TESTERS sharing their top tips on ironing.

Here’s what Morphy Richards says about the Atomist Vapour Iron: “For consumers who live in hard water areas, they can find that limescale continually affects and damages their products, and this is a concern that Morphy Richards heavily focused on when developing the Atomist Vapour Iron. As the iron doesn’t produce limescale, it directly eliminates the prospect of unsightly white marks appearing on clothes while ironing, meaning that clothes never have to be re-washed because of limescale marks. The iron is also ideal for those who are looking to use products that aren’t harmful to the environment, as the Redefine Atomist Iron uses less water and energy than a standard steam iron.”

Testers, please tell us what you thought about the iron. Here are some questions to get you started, but please feel free to add your own comments too. Please also add any photos you’ve taken to the feedback thread.

• How did the Atomist Vapour Iron compare to your usual iron?
• What did you think were the benefits of the Atomist Vapour Iron?
• Did it make ironing usual items of clothing easier? If yes, why? If no, why not?
• What did you think the benefits were of vapour over steam?
• Why did you want to take part in this test and what iron did you previously have?

Please now write a review about the Atomist Vapour Iron in the Mumsnet household appliances review section here here

Please also write a review in the Morphy Richards review section here

Testers who have given their feedback and written a review will be able to keep their irons as a thank you.

For NON TESTERS, please share your top tips on ironing for a chance to win a £100 John Lewis voucher.

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

Thanks!
MNHQ

Non-tester

Most importantly - I save up my weeks worth of Neighbours and Home & Away on the Sky+ box so I can do my ironing while I watch them, guilt free!

If you tumble dry your clothes, when you get them out, either hang them up or lie them out flat as this will help get rid of some of the more stubborn creases.

Thank you so much for sending me the Atomist Vapour iron to test.

• How did the Atomist Vapour Iron compare to your usual iron?
I love the way it looks - very futuristic with the glass plate. It is much lighter than my usual iron, which is good and has more features e.g. beeping when at the correct temperature. However, I found it took longer to get the creases out and it is much bigger to store than my usual iron.

• What did you think were the benefits of the Atomist Vapour Iron?
You don't need to keep filling the iron up as it has a larger tank.

• Did it make ironing usual items of clothing easier? If yes, why? If no, why not?
No, I did not find it easier to iron clothing.
It took longer and because the iron was so light, I felt I had to press harder to eliminate creases. I also found that if I sprayed the clothing it took a while for the items to dry and they still felt a bit damp when putting them away.
In addition, the wire is very thick and I felt that this got in the way.
I have added pictures before and after ironing a school shirt - although the creases have gone it did take longer to get to the end result.

• What did you think the benefits were of vapour over steam?
I think it's maybe a bit safer as no risk of burning from the steam.

• Why did you want to take part in this test and what iron did you previously have?
I wanted to test the iron as I found my old iron was sticking to clothes and had a very short cord. My previous iron was a Philips Azur. I wanted an iron that made the job quicker and more efficient but unfortunately the Atomist Vapour iron does not deliver as much as I hoped.

Non tester -

omg I really didn't realise people still ironed? I gave it up after having my 2nd baby 3 years ago - never looked back!

We wear the creases out!! :-p

NON TESTER
Top tip........avoid at all cost!
If that fails then.......

1. Always make sure you use fabric softener in the wash as it makes clothes easier to iron.
2. Sort your washing in order before you start so you don't have to keep changing the temperature of the iron.
3. Place aluminium under your ironing board cover as this will reflect the heat and this makes ironing easier, and quicker.
4. When ironing shirt sleeves, roll up a towel and place this in the sleeves to avoid getting creases in the sleeves.
5. Have a pillow case or towel nearby to iron delicate fabrics to avoid getting 'shiny' clothes!
6. Think of happy thoughts to help you with your mind numbing chore!

Tester

Thank you for choosing me to test the iron!

• How did the Atomist Vapour Iron compare to your usual iron?
I love this iron! My normal iron is a Swan steam iron and this is a major step up! It's so light, so much so I nearly hit myself in the face with it removing from box Its great that it beeps when ready to go so no guessing game as to when it's hot enough. It's also very quiet compared to my current iron so I can actually hear the TV while ironing!
• What did you think were the benefits of the Atomist Vapour Iron?
The light weight of the iron is the major benefit for me, normally my arm aches after 10 minutes but with this one I can do a whole load with no problem. The mist is also great and as mentioned above not as noisy as my current iron. The water in the tank also lasts for the whole load of ironing whereas my current iron needs to be topped up at least twice. The clear base is also pretty cool as you can see the creases underneath the iron.
• Did it make ironing usual items of clothing easier? If yes, why? If no, why not?
Yes definitely, I've attached a picture of my ironing nemesis (DH's cotton work shirts from M&S) and this iron handled them easily. It was great to be able to see through the bottom to check I'd got all the creases out between the buttons for example. I am yet to try it on my cotton bed sheets as they are currently in the washing machine but think it will handle them well. It also did a good job of this polo shirt which is quite thick and a nightmare to iron. The only negative I'd say is the thick black cable, each time I tried to stand the iron up while moving clothes around it fell over unless I put it right to the middle of the board, my current iron doesn't do this but will get used to it.
• What did you think the benefits were of vapour over steam?
For me it's the noise reduction, my current iron is very noisy when generating the steam whereas the vapour is much quieter. I also love the fact that I don't get burned by the steam when trying to do fiddly bits and more importantly don't end up boiling hot from all the steam being generated. This is definitely an iron for the summer! It's also much smaller than my current steam iron so will take up less space in utility room.
• Why did you want to take part in this test and what iron did you previously have?
I was intrigued to take part in this test as I do a fair amount of ironing each week and am interested in new technology so the clear base is a very cool feature. I previously had a Swan steam generator iron.

Non tester

Spray your ironing board cover liberally with water then you usually only have to iron on one side of your garment.

Non tester
Ironing isn't far the worst part of house work (up there with cleaning the oven) taking a little extra time to hang properly after washing definitely makes it a lot easier.

Thank you for selecting me to test this iron,

How did the Atomist Vapour Iron compare to your usual iron?

I have a very basic steam iron so the Atomist Vapour iron was definitely better, it was lighter and more efficient at removing creases. It also does look a lot better if left out, as the design of it is great.

• What did you think were the benefits of the Atomist Vapour Iron?

I think the fact that it is very light as well as the transparent plate are the main selling point of it. The design is a great one even though my husband commented on the thick black wire getting in the way, but that didn't annoy me.

• Did it make ironing usual items of clothing easier? If yes, why? If no, why not?

I would say yes, even though it does need some time to get used to the way it Iron, but once you get used to it, it is brilliant. The creases do stay out even though the clothes are not folded and put away straight away.

I did let the lady who usually does my ironing try it, she usually uses a steam generator and she didn't like this iron at all, I think she gave up too quickly on it if I can be honest.

• What did you think the benefits were of vapour over steam?

It does help a lot better than steam to take the creases out for longer.

• Why did you want to take part in this test and what iron did you previously have?

Ironing is something I really hate doing and I wanted to see if it was due to my iron not being good or not and how would the creases get out without the steam.
My iron was a Philips easy care 3240

*is by 😳

Non - tester (unfortunately)
I like ironing as I feel it's a chance I actually get to go into the lounge on my own (not always!) and watch the TV (programmes I have recorded and really want to see) and not feel guilty that I shouldn't be watching TV or doing something else!
My top tips are: prioritise what needs doing most so you don't end up having to run and get the iron out especially for 1 item. That means I tend to prioritise other people.s ironing over mine, once I've done my few essential things. Also lots of steam and try to keep things flat and not scrunched up once I get them off the line or airer.

Non - tester. I'm very lazy when it comes to ironing so generally buy iron-free clothes!

For really tough creases: dampen a handkerchief and place it over creased fabric. Then iron on hot.

Works wonders on DH's stubbon shirts if I've tumble dried them.

Do it straight away when the washing is still damp.

Non-tester.

I'm really careful about hanging clothes up to dry, with minimal creases (we don't have a tumble dryer). Less to iron out, & if possible any creases should go under the arms etc, they will be less visible if you don't fully get them out.
I also sit on my sofa to iron, with the board at it's lowest height in front of me, the TV or radio on, & a nice cold drink - for some reason I always get really hot when I'm ironing - handy in winter but not summer...
I don't use the steam function on my iron, I use a fine misting water spray bottle. We live in a soft water area & all appliances tend to become corroded eventually - this manifests quite quickly in rusting inside, rusty stains are hard to get out.

Definitely agree with hanging up clothes that need ironing before they dry out into wrinkly bundles. Unfortunately I often seem to forget to do this!

Tester
• How did the Atomist Vapour Iron compare to your usual iron?

I really, really wanted to love this iron but alas I wasn't so. Compared to my steam in there wasn't a comparison, the steam iron was quicker, smoother and didn't leave the clothes damp.

• What did you think were the benefits of the Atomist Vapour Iron?

Its weight, design and the idea behind the vapour method but if they can improve on this then the iron needs to get hotter.

• Did it make ironing usual items of clothing easier? If yes, why? If no, why not?

No. It was ok with poly/cotton mix clothes, but with heavier weight items - jeans, canvas shorts etc it took a lot of effort, lots of vapour and lots of re-ironing to get them crease free. Also the clothes were left damp. Linen was a nightmare too. Also, the cord running from the base unit to the iron was far too stiff and got in the way, why on earth Morphy richards felt that a thick rubber hose was suitable for carrying cold water from the base to the iron was appropriate - surely a narrower hose that is more pliable will work better? It also made the iron difficult to put down on its heel and tended to wobble.

• What did you think the benefits were of vapour over steam?

Less steam meant my windows didn't steam up and the ironing board didn't drip from underneath and there is a lower risk of burning yourself. The auto off function was good too. Also less water was used.

• Why did you want to take part in this test and what iron did you previously have?

I wanted to take part because I hate ironing! I was hoping this new fangled iron would be my saviour but it was not to be. My Mum had a whirl with it (55 years of ironing experience and loves ironing ) and she said it just made things harder. She compared it to when she used to watch her mum iron with a dry iron and a spray bottle and this just seems to be a modern re work of that.

I have now gone back to my trusty Morphy Richards steam iron. I will try and persevere with the Vapour iron, and hopefully, as this new iron has its flaws ironed out, it will get better and better and will truly become the iron of the future rather than a rework of Victorian ironing methods of yore.

I was picked by MNHQ to review this product which I received for free. This review is in my own words and reflects my true opinion.

My top tip for ironing (I hate it) is get your husband to do it! It works in my house :)

Non tester - iron things inside out, I find it much more efficient

I will sort out all the clothes I have to iron before hand, for example turn them inside out if they need to be ironed that way, so they are ready to iron straight away. I normally iron whilst I'm watching something or listening to music, so the task is less tedious, and I always use the steam function on my iron, gets the creases out

Tester:

Thanks for selecting me to review the iron, I've really enjoyed it!

• How did the Atomist Vapour Iron compare to your usual iron?
In a few words: it’s lighter, cooler and uses far less water!

• What did you think were the benefits of the Atomist Vapour Iron?
I thought the benefits would be that it would be more efficient than my current iron. I thought it would be fun to try an iron with such a unique design!

• Did it make ironing usual items of clothing easier? If yes, why? If no, why not?
It took me awhile to get used to this iron. In the end I ironed six loads of ironing before writing this review. At first, the lightness of the iron made me use a lot of pressure and vapour while ironing. This did not produce good results at all and I was disheartened as I really wanted to like this iron. The second time I used the iron, I used less pressure and less water – and the results were noticeably better. I also was able to complete the ironing faster and more easily as the iron weighs far less than my current Rowenta. I’ve just completed my last big batch of ironing before writing this review, and all in all the experience is much easier and faster than ironing the same amount of clothing. The bulk of my ironing is shirts and trousers, but I also iron bed and table linens.

That said – I would be a little concerned about using this iron for something that requires crisp precise seams. I couldn’t get the knack right to get seam crisp and perfect. It also didn’t always get out set in wrinkles as well as I would like (see the pictures of the hanky below. Still, for the ironing I personally do the positives far outweigh the negatives.

• What did you think the benefits were of vapour over steam?
It is really nice to iron without the windows fogging up and without getting overheated from the steam. Also, no burns while ironing tricky seams! I also used far less water, and didn’t have to go back and forth for more water while ironing. My current iron has developed a weird chalky powder from hard water that randomly deposits itself on clothing. This iron hasn’t developed any issue with the hard water, but I can’t know for sure how it will respond to the hard water until I use it for a few months.

• Why did you want to take part in this test and what iron did you previously have?
I was really intrigued by the design of the iron and it’s efficiency claims – I was not disappointed. It will replace my Rowenta steam iron.

I was picked by MNHQ to review this product, which I received for free. This review is in my own words and reflects my true opinion.

Pictures are of a shirt fresh from the dryer, one swipe with no vapour and then one more swipe with the vapour.

A hanky before and after ironing.

And finally, a shirt that was dried outside, before, during and after.

I forgot to add some photos too

Here (yellow and grey) is a poly/cotton top before, and half done/half not.

And a linen top, before and after