Iron on ironing board with pink button down shirt.

HOW TO

Steamer vs. Iron

Wrinkles are cute on bulldogs, but not your wardrobe. Lucky for you, those pesky creases are no match for ironing or steaming. But, when it comes to the steam press vs the iron, which is the best wrinkle removing weapon for the job? Is a clothing steamer better than a handheld iron? What about handheld steamers? Can a steamer replace an iron? When deciding between garment steamer vs iron, turn to our guide before making your choice.

Steaming Vs Ironing

Deciding between steaming vs ironing comes down to the fabric material you are caring for, and finish you are looking for. Use an iron on cotton, linen and tough fabrics for a crisp finish. Use a steamer to remove wrinkles from silk, lace, wool, and cashmere.

The Steamer

The garment steamer provides the safest option for removing stubborn wrinkles with a natural look. It is gentle enough for use on delicate fabrics like wool, and fabrics like silk and won't burn or cause unintended creasing if steamed properly. Read it’s benefits below to see where it stands in the steaming vs ironing debate.

Benefits:

Helps kill germs (According to the CDC, heat of at least 167 degrees is sufficient to kill flu viruses)
Removes wrinkles
Freshens items between washes
Freshens items not suitable for dry cleaning or laundry

Works Especially Well for:

Heat sensitive materials like silk and some synthetics
Items made of material that can be crushed by ironing like wool, velvet or corduroy
Suits and jackets
Curtains
Bed skirts
Pillows
Mattresses
Upholstery
Silks
Wool, Cashmere & Wool Blends

How To Steam

Steamers work by heating water to create hot steam that flows through a nozzle. The steam works to effectively loosen tightened and wrinkled threading and fibers. When it comes to the type of steamer to use, you can use a standard standing steamer or a handheld steamer. Handheld streamers work just as well as standard steamers! Because the nozzles of handheld steamers are smaller, you may need to do a few more passes over the garment compared to a larger standing steamer. Additionally, handheld streamers typically have smaller water tanks, so you may need to refill the water a few times. Handheld steamers are great for travel and smoothing wrinkles on smaller items like shirts. A steamer can replace an iron if your intention is to remove wrinkles from fabrics, especially delicate fabrics that cannot be ironed like silk, woolens, and items with pleating. However, you won’t get the crisp, pressed polish of ironing—steaming creates a smooth, casual finish.

1. For best results, fill your steamer’s tank up with bottled distilled water, which won’t cause mineral buildup that can block the steam nozzles, unlike tap water.

2. Hanging the items you’re streaming will help the hot steam get to every surface area of the garment for the most efficient de wrinkling. Additionally, allowing the items to hang until they are completely dry after steaming will help keep them wrinkle free and prevent new creases from appearing.

3. Depending on the type of steamer you have, steamers can heat water from about 200 to 400 degrees. Higher heat settings are designs to steam wrinkles out of heavier fabrics like cotton and denim while lower temperatures are meant for delicates like silk and woolens.

4. Hold the steamer in an upright position to prevent spilling hot water on you and the garment. Next, hover the steamer 6 inches away from your garment and move it over wrinkles in sweeping or circular motions until the item is wrinkle free. For delicate fabrics like silk or velvet, steam from the underside to prevent crushing and watermarks.

5. When you’re satisfied with the results, allow the items to dry completely in a well-ventilated area to ensure they stay wrinkle-free. If needed, spritz with your favorite wrinkle-releasing spray, like our Classic Fabric Spray. This all-in-one fabric and linen spray adds fragrance while freshening and smoothing away wrinkles for a perfect finish!

6. Before storing your steamer, allow it to cool down and dry. It’s important to clean your steamer regularly to avoid mineral and limescale buildup. How often you clean depends on usage, but we recommend a few times a year. To clean, fill the water reservoir with a tablespoon or two of plain white vinegar and water. Hold the steamer over a sink and allow it to spit out the steam until completely empty. Be very careful not to burn your skin with the hot water during this process. Always consult manufacturer recommendations before proceeding with cleaning your steamer.

Three blue and white button-down collared shirts hanging up to be steamed.

The Iron

Benefits:

A traditional iron, and modern iron will offer a crisp, clean finish
More efficient than steaming on durable cotton or easily wrinkled linen items

The Best Irons For Clothes Work On:

Dress shirts
Dress pants
Table linens
Linen items
Sheets
Pillow covers

How To Iron

Irons work by pressing out wrinkles from clothes. Many irons also come with a built-in steam function for fabrics that cannot tolerate high heat. Irons provide a more crisp, starched finish compared to streaming. You can use irons to de wrinkle most durable, everyday laundry like cotton T-shirts and linen and dress shirts. Ironing is also the ideal solution for setting creases in dress pants. Before you begin ironing, check the care label to ensure the item is suitable to iron and, if so, the recommended heat setting. If it says do not iron, steam to avoid burning the item. Clothing that cannot be ironed typically include those made of silk, wool, cashmere, velvet, corduroy and other natural fibers or delicate synthetics, which are prone to melting and scorching.

1. It’s important to always wash clothing before ironing, as the high heat from the iron can set stains, dirt, and odors into the fabric.

2. To properly iron clothing, you will need an ironing board in order to efficiently and safely iron. Enhance your ironing board with a scorch-resistant ironing board cover with a lined fiber pad for an ultra smooth ironing process.

3. If you have multiple garments to iron, begin with the ones that require a cool temperature setting and work your way up to avoid burning. Most fabrics will benefit from being ironed inside out to protect the finishes. When ironing shirt collars, cuffs, pockets, or hems, iron on the insider first and then on the outside. Avoid ironing over embellishments, zippers, or buttons. If your pants have pleats, iron along them to set the creases.

4. Iron lengthwise to prevent stretching out the garment, and press the entire surface area, making sure to never keep the iron still to avoid burning. To ease ironing, mist items with a starching spray before applying heat for a starched finish, and add 1-2 essential oil drops to the tank along with water for a customizable laundry-fresh fragrance.

5. For best results, clothes should be hung up after ironing to maintain the pressed, polished finish.

6. Clean your iron regularly by wiping the plate with a clean lint-free cotton cloth or rag soaked in plain white vinegar, then sit the iron onto the towel plate-down. Allow to sit for 30 minutes, then wipe clean. Another method for cleaning steam irons is to add equal parts white vinegar and water to the reservoir along with water. Now iron or steam an old rag, cloth or towel — as you use the iron, residue will release from the vents along with the vinegar. Always check manufacturer instructions before cleaning your iron or steamer with vinegar.

7. In between ironing sessions, keep clothes feeling smooth and fresh by misting with a wrinkle-reducing fabric spray like Classic Fabric Spray. This easy to use, all in one fabric and linen spray infuses fabrics with fresh scent while lifting wrinkles.

Learn how to iron every garment like a pro by following the above tips!