How to Choose The Right Ironing Board Cover
When looking for an ironing board cover, there are a number of things to take into account. The most important consideration is the type of fabric you plan to cover your new board with – cotton or synthetic?
Cotton covers tend to be superior at preventing scorching low pile textiles such as linen, silk and polyester, but synthetic materials can be perfect for upholstery. It is best to go for a double padding cover for cotton fabrics that will protect against scorching and provide extra insulation when ironing around buttons or from intense heat sources. Covers need to be durable and long lasting and have a non-slip surface so they stay in place while you’re pressing. It’s also important to look out for adjustable ironing board covers so you can make the most of your new investment. Ironing Board Cover Buying Guide: What to look for in a cover?
The Material Thickness and Construction
A good quality ironing board cover will consist of components that are made with one or more materials, including polyester batting, a polyurethane top layer laminate, and high thread count synthetic fabric (see below). For additional protection against scorching it is best to choose a double padding ironing board cover which has an extra thick padding between the bottom and top layers. This is because synthetics such as rayon don’t have an insulating effect. That means they do not work well for fabrics such as linen. A double padding cover is the most effective way to protect clothing against scorching.
Ironing Board Cover Construction
To prevent lint and stray threads from escaping into your newly ironed garments, it’s best to choose an ironing board cover that has a built-in cover over its zipper track. Some covers also come with gathering zippers which are perfect for preventing fabric spillage when you close the bag after use. These two additional features can be vital in prolonging the life of your new board cover, so make sure they are included on your next purchase.
Length of Cover
When choosing an ironing board cover consider how long you would like it to be. You will need to double the length of your board when measuring for a cover.
Ironing Board Cover Padding
The padding used in an ironing board cover is very important as it determines how effective the cover will be at preventing scorching. Synthetic fabrics like rayon and polyester do not insulate well, which means they cannot prevent scorching when covering low pile textiles such as linen and silk. For this reason you should always choose cotton or synthetic quilted designs for clothing that needs protection from intense heat sources. In order to avoid lint and stray threads escaping into garments you need to use a board with a built-in fabric track cover over its zipper track (see above). This ensures there is no chance of fabric spillage.
Ironing Board Cover Adjustability
When purchasing an ironing board cover, you should also look for a model that comes with adjustable hinges to ensure the best possible fit for your new board. These covers also tend to have wider padding which helps hold them in place while you are pressing. The wider boards are excellent at preventing lint and stray threads from escaping into garments during ironing.
Ironing Board Cover Work Surface Protection
Ironing is a messy business – no matter how hard you try! So it’s worth looking out for ironing board covers that have extra work surface protection in order to prolong their lifespan and keep your clothing pristine as well. A good option is padded plackets which cover the ironing board’s edge. You should also look for fully hemmed covers on all sides to make sure they won’t fray over time. Also important is the use of a non-slip hem, as this is where many boards can be prone to slipping after frequent use.
Wide Ironing Board Cover Seams
When purchasing an ironing board cover it’s best to choose one with wide seams in order to avoid unraveling and lint spillage during the pressing process. It’s also wise to buy a model with triple stitched seams where possible as these tend to be more durable than those made with double stitches. If you have pets in your home (or children!), this feature can help prolong the cover’s life and protect your clothing from lint spillage when you store it away.
Ironing Board Cover Fabric Options
When choosing an ironing board cover, there are many different options available for you to choose from including cotton, polyester, nylon, viscose rayon and high thread count synthetic fabrics (see above). For additional protection against scorching it is best to choose a double padding ironing board cover which has an extra thick padding between the bottom and top layers. This is because synthetics such as rayon don’t have an insulating effect. That means they do not work well for fabrics such as linen. A double padding cover is the most effective way to protect clothing against scorching, which is why the best selling ironing board covers on Amazon.com are double padded models such as this one.
Ironing Board Cover Finishing Options
When choosing an ironing board cover, you will also need to think about whether or not you would like any finishing options applied to your product. For example there is a wide array of edge finishes available from raw edges (no finish) to pinked and hemmed alternatives. A hemmed option is especially suitable for users who don’t want their work surface fraying over time. Also worth mentioning is that a hems design can help prevent scorching if used with a wider board (see above). If you have pets in your home then it’s probably wise to avoid unfinished edges as this is where most fraying problems start.
Ironing Board Cover U-Shape Vs. Tri-Fold Options
When choosing an ironing board cover, you may also wish to consider the options available for your product’s folding design including u-fold and tri-fold alternatives. A u-fold option enables easier storage when not in use, while a tri-folds design provides more space between its layers (see above). Before making your decision it is worth considering whether or not extra padding makes a difference to your ironing experience – especially if you have delicate clothing to press! Also keep in mind that some products are better suited to offices than others due tot heir additional work surface protection features. For example, this model from Amazon.com is a perfect choice for anybody who needs to iron in a workplace environmnet as it features padded work surface protection.