A steam iron comprises at least two heating elements (4, 6), of which at least one element (6) serves for heating a steam boiler (5) for steam production and at least one other element (4) serves for heating the sole plate. In order to obtain a substantially higher heat transfer between the iron and the fabric the iron is constructed in such a way that the heating element(s) for steam production deliver(s) a higher power than the element(s) for sole-plate heating. Suitably, the total power of the heating elements is at least 1400 W. The transfer of heat from the iron to the fabric is effected by steam condensation within the fabric, which proceeds considerably faster than by thermal conduction. |