Alternatives to ironing
March 1, 2012 1:41 PM Subscribe
Are clothes steamers a useful alternative to ironing?
I get too lazy to iron and send my shirts to the cleaners to get pressed. But I am not super picky about creases--I just want to get out the wrinkles and look presentable for work (teacher).
I get too lazy to iron and send my shirts to the cleaners to get pressed. But I am not super picky about creases--I just want to get out the wrinkles and look presentable for work (teacher).
In our house we take out the dress shirts and hang them straight out of the wash- no dryer- sometimes we hang next to the shower (steam)...anyhoo no wrinkles... the ones that creep through we use downey's "wrinkle releaser" but mr. pony hates being sprayed!
posted by misspony at 2:02 PM on March 1, 2012
posted by misspony at 2:02 PM on March 1, 2012
I have a steamer and I love it. I find that it lets me take my shirts from unwearable to presentable much faster than I could with an iron. If I want something perfect, I'll spend the time ironing. But in most cases, the steamer gets me to good enough much faster.
I will note that it took me probably 50 uses to get quick with the steamer. For the first few months I had it, I was pretty disappointed by it. But now I really appreciate it.
The trick is to maintain tension on the garment while it is being steamed. Just blowing steam on it will take forever. Careful of burns on your first few garments!
posted by reeddavid at 2:25 PM on March 1, 2012 [4 favorites]
I will note that it took me probably 50 uses to get quick with the steamer. For the first few months I had it, I was pretty disappointed by it. But now I really appreciate it.
The trick is to maintain tension on the garment while it is being steamed. Just blowing steam on it will take forever. Careful of burns on your first few garments!
posted by reeddavid at 2:25 PM on March 1, 2012 [4 favorites]
I used a steamer for a while...it was a lot easier (for me) and quicker than an iron, but it was still too laborious for my lazy self. I ended up just taking them to the cleaners!
posted by El Sabor Asiatico at 2:53 PM on March 1, 2012
posted by El Sabor Asiatico at 2:53 PM on March 1, 2012
I'm with reeddavid. For me steamer gets faster and easier results than an iron. Yes, no-iron shirts are better with the steamer. But I've used it on all manner of material and I find it superior. It's nice not to have to worry about spreading the clothes out flat on an ironing board.
posted by jayder at 4:15 PM on March 1, 2012
posted by jayder at 4:15 PM on March 1, 2012
You don't even need to use steam. Use a mister. Wear the shirt, mist it lightly with water, then pull it tight. Your body will evaporate the tiny bit of moisture in five minutes. This is how they take wrinkles out of tablecloths in restaurants.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 4:26 PM on March 1, 2012
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 4:26 PM on March 1, 2012
I also totally agree with reeddavid. I have a steamer and find it incredibly useful. I hate ironing (usually manage to iron in more wrinkles than I iron out) and can now avoid it almost entirely. The steamer works well on most things, including cotton t-shirts, my husband's dress shirts and sport coats (he loves that steamer even more than I do), dresses and curtains. I also like to use it on sweaters, both for getting out wrinkles and for freshening them between washes.
I think I paid around $50 for ours at Costco a few years ago, fyi.
posted by Jemstar at 6:17 PM on March 1, 2012 [2 favorites]
I think I paid around $50 for ours at Costco a few years ago, fyi.
posted by Jemstar at 6:17 PM on March 1, 2012 [2 favorites]
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posted by Carillon at 1:43 PM on March 1, 2012