Is It Better To Steam or Iron Clothes? The Road To Wrinkle-Free Fabric!
When it comes to garment care, there are two main devices to remove unsightly wrinkles from clothes. Irons and fabric steamers work differently and each have advantages and disadvantages. It’s therefore no surprise that people are often left wondering, is it better to steam or iron clothes?
Firstly, What's The Difference Between An Iron And A Steamer?
When comparing a steamer vs an iron, the answer will always be that different situations require different tools. If we’re going to choose between an iron and a steamer, we first need to define exactly what they are
The Iron
An iron (aka a flat iron or steam iron) is a heated appliance used to press wrinkles out of fabrics. They are used to dewrinkle durable day clothes like cotton T-shirts. They are also first choice for linen, dress shirts, and dress pants
Irons are used on clean clothing on an ironing board. Care must be taken to keep the iron moving to avoid burning the fabric, and starch can be used for a crisper finish. Be sure to iron lengthways to avoid stretching the garment
The Fabric Steamer
A fabric steamer (aka garment steamer, or often simply steamer) is a device which fires steam through a nozzle. The steam then loosens tight fibres on clothes to dewrinkle them
Steamers can often be used on delicate fabrics like wool and silk. They won’t give the pressed, crisp finish of an iron – they give a smooth, relaxed finish instead.
To use a steamer, first fill it with water. Hang your garment and hold the nozzle 4-6 inches from it. Move the nozzle in a circular motion until all the creases are gone. Be sure to keep the steamer vertical. Then hang the garment in a well-ventilated area to dry, and make sure you let your steamer cool completely before putting it away
So Which Is Better?
Both irons and steamers have their pros and cons, and each will be better in a specific situation. Read on to discover the pros and cons of each, and when to use them
Iron Pros
- An iron will allow for greater control – the hot plate can be moved precisely over the clothing, rather than the broader spray of steam from a steamer
- Irons will give much sharper creases in items such as dress pants, and a much crisper finish to dress shirts
- An iron will be much more efficient in dewrinkling heavy fabrics like denim and linen
Iron Cons
- They will burn or mark clothes if they are left in one place for too long
- As irons are solid, they can be challenging to use on curved or folded fabric, such as sleeves or hems. Here at Best Perth Laundry Services, we use things like tailor’s hams, and sleeve sausages and boards. However, you may not have access to these things at home
- The equipment needed for ironing, such as an ironing board, is more bulky that that needed for steaming. If you are living in a smaller apartment, or travelling, this may not be practical
Steamer Pros
- They give minimal risk of burning your clothes, and can usually be used on delicate fabrics such as corduroy, velvet, silk, velvet, and most synthetics
- They can dewrinkle things that would be difficult to do with an iron, such as shoulder pads
- You can get portable steamers, which don’t take up much space in your suitcase if you go travelling
- Steamers can be used to freshen up clothes between washes
- Steamers often require less skill to use than an iron, and can be used to get smooth clothes if you’re not confident you have a good ironing technique
Steamer Cons
- They have to be held upright, so if you steam a lot of items, your arm will get tired
- Steamers can loosen the seams of clothes if they are used too heavily. The clothes then won’t last as long as they would have
- Steamers can’t efficiently smooth heavy fabrics or create crisp lines/creases
Safety First When Steaming Or Ironing Your Clothes!
- Always read the lable on your clothes. Some fabrics may melt when heat is appliied to them. Examples of this include leather and suede
- Never touch the hot plate on an iron, or the nozzle or the steam on a steamer
- Make sure the cables and plugs on your iron and steamer are safety tested regularly, as you would for any electric device. This will reduce the risk of electrocution and fires
Do We Prefer To Steam Or Iron Clothes?
We have access to an array of irons and garment steamers, and will always pick the best tool for the job. If you’d like a convenient, efficient ironing service that will deliver your clothes to your doorstep, we’d love to hear from you!