Philips GC7220 Pressurised Steam Generator

Kim “How Clean is Your House?” Woodburn says the thing most people like about having a cleaner is that they come home and their taps are shiny – a thing they could easily do themselves.

The thing I most like about staying in hotels is that the bedding is perfectly smooth – a thing I could do myself, but don’t.

I wouldn’t say ironing is a job I hate – more a job I don’t do. My version of ironing is flattening things by hand as they come out of the tumble dryer.

When the Philips GC7220 Pressurised Steam Generator arrived to test (I’m a BZZ Agent and test products) my sister Rachel thought this was hilarious: “but you don’t iron!” she quite rightly pointed out.

I had the same reaction from Christine (who is one of those strange people who professes to find ironing ‘relaxing’) who had all sorts of questions: “does it take up much room?” (the reservoir resembles a foot spa, but is a lot smaller); “How many bars of pressure?” (erm, 3.5). This woman is a serious steam enthusiast!

Having topped up the reservoir with the handy measure, it was operational very quickly (ie a couple of minutes). I was surprised that there wasn’t a directional water spray but this really wasn’t necessary.

I first tested it on a shirt which allowed me answer another of Christine’s questions, namely “Does it have a button groove?” (yes, and very well it works too).

The GC7220 was next tested on a floaty top with sequins. I was marvelling at how the pointy shape really got into the nooks and crannies when the phone rang. It was Heather the Blether. Nae bother, I simply switched off the unit and managed to get a word in edgeways to tell her about my experiment. She is a “just so” person. Everything has to be pristine. I wouldn’t be surprised if she irons socks.

Thirty three minutes later (Heather can talk for Scotland ), I was ready to try a duvet cover. Wow! With the steam setting locked on, it glided across my bedding and I was absolutely amazed at the ‘hotel’ level of flatness in next to know time.

I had to retop the water after ten minutes worth of ironing, but…….in that ten minutes I had ironed school uniforms, tops, t-shirts, summer dresses and a kingsize duvet and pillow cases!

I was really, very impressed.

So who would buy this product? I have a theory that Ironing Afficionados like Christine would like it (but would probably be equally blessed out using a warmed up brick to iron with).

Ironing Perfectionists like Heather who want to get right around the buttons and have brilliantly pressed seams would love it.

And, for self-confessed ‘ironaphobes’ like myself, the Steam Generator (I refuse to call it an iron!) absolutely rocks!