Steamer Vs Iron
If you like looking neat in your clothes, you could be thinking of acquiring a clothes steamer or iron. But which is better iron or steamer? Although the two items have a similar purpose, they differ in their operation. In this showdown on clothes steamer vs iron, you will get a vast comparison among the both and a comprehensive buying guide to buy clothes steamer or iron.
We all love wrinkle-free clothes, but which straightening appliance should you buy, steamer or iron? Steamer vs iron, which one is better for your clothes? Can an iron be substituted with a steamer? Can you use a steamer instead of an iron? Whats better a steamer or iron? These are typical questions you can often see in forums, comments, and ordinary conversations.
I have tested them both, and I will tell you all about it.
The fact is that both are very useful in their own right, but choosing the right one for the right job is important. Here I’ll try to answer some of those questions and hopefully give you enough information to decide.
While the two gadgets play an essential role in keeping clothes neat, their application differs depending on the garments to be straightened. Deciding on the appliance to buy — Steamer vs iron — is simple because each has its advantages and disadvantages.
Does a steamer or iron remove wrinkles better than the other? Let’s find out.
Steamer Or Iron
Can a steamer replace an iron? That’s the biggest question asked by many fashion shoppers. And on social media, many posts “can I use a steamer instead of an iron?.” Some users even suggest using steamers for just about everything, which makes me think they have never used one or even tried to use one because it’s easy to steam clothes.
Unlike flat irons that are pressed on clothes with high temperature, steamers use cold water and press clothes with steam released from the hot water tank. The two methods may seem similar, but they are worlds apart. Irons use high heat and apply pressure on clothes using heavy plates of steel that can damage your clothes, especially if used repeatedly.
How to Steam Clothes Properly
A steamer essentially removes wrinkles from a garment without making contact. It directs hot steam at the garment suspended on a hanger, making it suitable for heat-sensitive fabrics like velvet, corduroy, and cashmere.
Do you know how to use a steamer? Well, here is a quick recap. First, ensure you have enough space to hang your clothes. Hold the cloth taut with one hand while slowly moving the fabric steamer over the garment. Always hold the steamer one inch from the garment.
While Steamers perform well in removing creases in delicate clothes such as silk, chiffon, and polyester, it is not devoid of pros and cons, as we shall see in the next section.
Pros and Cons of a Steamer
Pros:
Here are the advantages that will make you love a steamer.
- Kills bacteria and germs. The hot steam kills germs and bacteria, so you can use it to sanitize places, blankets, and bedsheets.
- It is fast and simple. It entails moving the steamer up and down over the garment, and within no time, your cloth is neat and fresh.
- Remove odor. The hot steam eliminates any odor on your cloth, leaving it fresh.
- Saves time and money. Besides being energy-efficient, it produces steam within a short time, and you don’t have to take your clothes to a laundry shop.
- Because steamers don’t come in contact with garments, they cannot burn a cloth or add unwanted creases.
- It does not need extra accessories such as ironing boards.
- Steamers are compact and easier to store compared to flat iron and their ironing board. The compactness also makes it easy to travel with a steamer.
Cons:
- It is not effective in removing wrinkles in heavy clothes.
- It does not make the cloth look crisp. This may disappoint you as you may want crisp trousers or a shirt.
- It is not suitable for colored fabrics as the hot steam can make the color run.
- A steamer cannot press creases onto a fabric.
What to look for when buying a clothes steamer
Like you will consider some aspects before buying an iron, you also need to consider some factors when buying a steamer. Below are the essential things you should not forget.
1. Steam settings
One of the main things to remember when looking for the good cloth steamer is the steam settings. You might want to go for one with various steam settings to change the steam flow easily.
2. Continuous steam
Steamers with continuous steam make it more convenient to use than those requiring you to hold on to the steam button.
3. The capacity of the water tank
Water tank size is another crucial aspect when choosing the best garment streamer. Unlike the iron, all garment steamers have a small water tank. The size of these water tanks determines the amount of time you will straighten your clothes.
4. Steaming temperature
Check on the steaming temperature range of your steamer to ensure it is ideal for your use.
5. Heat-up time
Most people prefer a steamer with a short heat-up time. However, you might also want to go that way if you don’t want delays, especially when you hurry.
6. Accessories
Accessories are other added advantages that you receive from some manufacturers. Steam head is the common accessory most brands come with. More practical models come with more accessories for a perfect and hassle-free straightening of your garments.
Ironing
What is an iron? Also called steam iron or flat iron, it is handheld equipment designed to transfer heat from a flat surface onto a garment specifically to eliminate wrinkles. The garment is placed on an ironing board or flat surface, and the iron is pressed and moved over it.
Nowadays, flat irons mostly have steam and temperature control dials to increase efficiency and reduce burning clothes.
Chances are you know how to use it and have used it severally. Basically, you need to apply some pressure while moving the iron over the cloth. However, you should adjust the iron heat according to the garment material shown on the fabric care label.
Sprinkling some water on the garments helps to remove the wrinkles. And when dealing with delicate fabric, protect it by placing another material on top of it before ironing. Ironing a cloth for the first time can be a daunting task. But If you know how to use an iron, then you will easily have crisp clothing.
Pros and Cons of an Iron
Pros:
You will need a steam iron because:
- It is more efficient than the fabric steamer in straightening the hard and stiff garments such as cotton, denim, canvas, linen, and rayon.
- It provides a clean, crisp finish on clothes.
Cons:
- You need accessories such as ironing boards or flat surfaces and a towel or blanket.
- The heat can easily ruin delicate clothes.
- It takes time to heat.
- It is trickier to work on pleats and sleeves while using an iron than a steamer.
- Steam iron does not eliminate odor.
- There is a higher risk of burning or leaving a permanent mark on the cloth if left on one spot for a long time.
What to look for when buying a clothes iron
Various clothes irons are designed in different ways. We have brought you crucial features to check when purchasing the good one iron for clothes.
1. Wattage
Wattage is one of the essential things to consider when looking for the good iron for clothes. This is because the wattage determines the heating speed and the heating level the iron can achieve.
2. Temperature control
Go for iron with easy-to-operate temperature control. This will make it more flexible to iron various clothes using different settings.
3. Ergonomic design
An iron having an ergonomic design with heat resistance and shockproofing is crucial in keeping you safe while using your iron.
4. Movement flexibility
Choose an Iron that gives you unrestricted movement when ironing your clothes. Retractable cords and 360-degree swivel are a few features that improve flexibility.
5. Water tank
Some irons come with a water tank. The tank is usually smaller, with a hole and a cover near the handle. You might prefer the irons with a higher capacity to cut the frequency of refills.
6. Weight
If you don’t want the hassle of dealing with heavy iron, go for the lightweight bases brands.
7. Warranty
The warranty differs from one manufacturer to the other. Some brands offer a limited warranty, with others offering a full warranty for repairing parts or replacing the product.
Conclusion
Now you can decide between the two gadgets — steamer vs iron, which one to pick for your wardrobe. Both use heat to soften wrinkles from clothes, but flat iron uses pressure while steamers use steam.
Which is better iron or steamer? As you know the uses of both and the essential factors to look at when buying a clothes iron and steamer, ordering your best tool will not be a hassle. Use this guide to escape from the confusion whats better a steamer or iron, as well as help to easily choose your favorite tool to straighten your clothes before leaving your house
I hope this post answered the question – can a steamer can replace an iron? The simple answer is yes. A steamer can replace an iron, depending on the type of fabric you are using and what you are trying to achieve.
But you can’t replace your iron with a steamer in all ways. But if you have heavy fabric and like crisp finish clothes and still want to enjoy the benefits of a steamer on some of your delicate garments, then you are better off having both appliances at your home.
Recommended Readings:
9 Best Iron for Clothes in 2022
