Important Things to Know
There are many different irons, but the two kinds most important for you to know about now are the regular dry iron and the combination steam-and-dry iron.
The thermostat keeps the iron at an even temperature.
It isn't weight alone that makes an iron do its job, but the heat of the iron. The heat is given off in the sole plate. The automatic iron has what is called a thermostatic control which holds the temperature of the iron at the heat you want. Some clothes need to be ironed with a very hot iron, while others need only to be pressed lightly with a cool iron. The thermostat keeps the iron at an even temperature after you set it for the heat you want. The thermostat is the heart of the iron.
Take a look at the iron used in your home. It isn't heavy to lift, and has a handle that fits your hand easily. It looks graceful and has a smooth bottom, called the sole plate. And it may have a narrow, pointed tip which is helpful in ironing pleats, corners and gathers.
Your iron has a smooth bottom called the sole plate.