Can CleanMaxx replace drying and ironing?
27.11.2018
Translation: machine translated
Ironing shirts is one of the hardest and most unpleasant household chores. The CleanMaxx is supposed to do all the work for you and deliver impeccable results. Is this really the case?
The CleanMaxx shirt and blouse steamer is the undisputed bestseller in the Galaxus ironing category. So I take it that our customers don't like ironing their shirts. According to the manufacturer, the appliance combines an iron, ironing board and tumble dryer for less than 100 francs. Does it live up to its promise?
The CleanMaxx shirt and blouse steamer
Tired of ironing? CleanMaxx has the perfect solution for you. You don't have to bother with this thankless task, or wait forever for your shirts to dry, as it dries and smoothes them out in one step. It's a perfect match for our hectic modern lifestyles. If it really works, it will quickly become indispensable.
Unpacking
CleanMaxx delivers everything you need to straighten your shirts and blouses in the same box: the main unit, the hanger for the shoulders, the telescopic rod, the drip guard and the nylon ball, onto which you thread your shirt. There are also five ironing weights and a short manual. That's all there is to it. Sounds very simple to me, and that's already a very good point. But does this appliance and its accessories really deliver good results? I'm going to find out quite suddenly.
The design
The main unit looks very powerful. Connected to a power cable at the back, it has a large rotary control knob on the front. The telescopic rod that attaches the garment steamer looks shoddy, but it works. On the other hand, the hanger feels stable, as do the weights that attach to the shirt. The nylon balloon, which fills with hot air during the drying and smoothing process, looks very well designed, but I find it a little thin. Will it stand up to the CleanMaxx blower?
Here's how the CleanMaxx dries and smoothes
I have the manual to hand, but I prefer to try and assemble it myself. I manage it very well, the device is easy to handle. Just place the rod and hanger in the hole in the main unit provided for that purpose, thread the nylon balloon over it, attach it to the unit, and you're done. The manual tells me that the column of small holes that runs from the collar to the waistband is at the front; it corresponds to the buttons on the shirt or blouse. You can tell without reading the manual, but the holes are so fine that they can be difficult to find yourself. And I doubt you'll get the same result if you place the garment inside out...
I'm testing the device on a ultra-trendy DIY shirt. I just about manage to put it on the ball. I place the five weights at the back (on the sides) and at the front (on the sides and in the middle). I turn the knob clockwise and set the time I think is perfect for my shirt. The manufacturer advises not to run the machine for more than 10 minutes and to hang the garment longer if necessary. Each red LED on the dial indicates a time of 5 minutes. The maximum duration has been set at 45 minutes. The CleanMaxx's first negative point is its noise. It's as quiet as a big hoover or a blender. Forget about watching TV or listening to the radio while your shirt dries, unless you place the appliance in a closed room.
I leave my shirt on the CleanMaxx for 20 minutes. At first, I doubted that this device could really replace drying and ironing, but the first try convinced me. My white shirt is completely dry, including the collar and sleeve hems. I'm 80% convinced of the smoothing effect. There are no creases in the back or chest, nor in the sleeves. Only the fabric under the armpits is still a little creased, but it won't be noticeable once I have the shirt on my back. I'm a bit disappointed by the buttons on the waistband: given the size of my shirt, the weights aren't enough to smooth out this area effectively. It's a shame. I don't feel like hiking my trousers up to my navel to camouflage that...
Overview
I'm a real pain when it comes to ironing. It has to be absolutely perfect, otherwise I don't see the point. On this point, the CleanMaxx doesn't convince me. But I have to admit that I expected worse. And as I don't just iron shirts and blouses, the CleanMaxx isn't for me. According to some users, it also works on t-shirts and polo shirts, but the manufacturer doesn't guarantee the quality of the results.
The main unit and parts take up far less space than an iron and ironing board. The CleanMaxx dries delicate shirts that don't go in the tumble dryer faster. On the other hand, the process won't take any less time for ordinary shirts; I'd put it at 15 minutes in any case. The advantage of the tumble dryer is that you can dry all your clothes at the same time. So the CleanMaxx only replaces the iron if you don't use it much. It's enough for everyday shirt ironing.
If you iron often, and much more than shirts, I wouldn't recommend buying it. I don't see its appeal for families either. But if you live alone and only have shirts and blouses to iron, it's a must-have. Just set it up in your bedroom, slip a shirt or blouse over it and let it do the work. In this case, the value for money is simply unbeatable.
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Header image: This CleanMaxx has a lot of muscle. Will it live up to its promise?
Raphael Knecht
Senior Editor
raphael.knecht@digitecgalaxus.chWhen I'm not stuffing my face with sweets, you'll catch me running around in the gym hall. I’m a passionate floorball player and coach. On rainy days, I tinker with my homebuilt PCs, robots or other gadgets. Music is always my trusted companion. I also enjoy tackling hilly terrain on my road bike and criss-crossing the country on my cross-country skis.
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