Getting Steamed Up (Minky Pro Workstation Ironing Board)

Member Name: cmh4135

Product:	Minky Pro Workstation Ironing Board
Date:	08/04/09 (318 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: None

Disadvantages: Poor quality

Having recently acquired one of those large steam generator irons I decided that it was time to update my ironing board so that I could stand the steam generator on the board. It seems, however, that I am to be cursed in my choice of board.

I really like boards with a laundry rack underneath and it seemed that the choice of board that had such a rack and would take a steam generator was very limited. Quite by chance I happened upon the Minky board in Tesco and this seemed to satisfy all my criteria and more. Minky are a well-known name in household goods and I saw no reason not to go ahead with the purchase without further research.

The board itself is a generous 122 x 43cm and in theory is height adjustable. It has a laundry rack underneath the board, a stand for a regular iron or a steam generator, a flex holder, 2m extension lead and socket holder and even a sleeve board - at around £40 this seemed very good value.

The first board I purchased had to be returned as the mesh that formed the board was not taut meaning that the board bounced during use - I assumed this to be a simple manufacturing error and exchanged the board for another. Unfortunately the board is of particular poor quality and, after just two weeks use, the board is already going rusty despite being stored inside and aired before being put away. It will be returned to store for a refund.

Given the speed with which this has shown rust I really cannot recommend the board, but, for the sake of completeness and were you to try your luck please also bear the following points in mind:

Positives:

* The ironing surface of the board is a good size and allows you to iron with minimal garment movement.

* The extension lead and its associated socket holder could prove very useful if you need to iron away from a socket point (this has meant that I can position my board more safely when my toddler is around).

Negatives:

* Although supposedly height adjustable I've only felt safe using the board at the maximum height (which in fairness is fine for me at 5'4") - below this the board has felt unsteady.

* The cover of the board is very poor quality and the fit is poor - with a replacement cover one might have expected this but one expects the first cover a board uses to fit.

* The foam that is placed under the cover is very thin and moves in use.

* The board, when collapsed does not stay locked together and so is awkward to move around.

* The silver paint that adorns the legs and iron station chips easily and marks paintwork if you lean the board up against a wall. Coupled with the fact that the board doesn't lock in a closed position makes the board very hard to store safely.

* The laundry rack is very, very flimsy and the gaps between the bars are too wide if you want to place small items on the rack.

* The flex holder is easy to fit but must be removed when storing the board so becomes inconvenient.

* Despite being made for steam generators the water build-up on the mesh in use is considerable (I suspect it is this that has contributed to the rust) and before the end of a large load you'll have a wet board. The condensed water will also drip onto the washing placed on the rack below.

* With a full tank of water in the steam generator the board moves on a solid floor and travel is quite considerable.

* The flip-out hanging rack is flimsy and will take no more than about 3 adult shirts before it feels unsafe.


As you can see, the negatives far outweigh the positives and it's safe to say that I will not be exchanging this board for the same model! Our last ironing board was good for over 12 years and, were it not too small I would still be using it. I therefore expect to get more than 2 weeks out of a new board before it goes rusty (and that rust has already stained the ironing board cover!).

Not recommended.

Summary: Not recommended for steam irons!