Clothes steamer instead of iron

[MyOtherProfile]

Anyone use a steamer instead of an iron? I just saw someone online say they never use an iron, they just have a handheld steamer for when clothes are creased.

I hate ironing and do as little as possible. I'm wondering if this would be a solution for me. Please tell me if you have experience of one.

Thank you.

I use my steamer far more than my iron. Somehow it's a bit fun. I do my 75% of my clothes based on how they dry on a hanger.

That's good news. Would you recommend the one you have?

No they're crap, spit or dribble doesn't matter how much you spend! I've given two away for free. Depending on your water they get deposits in.

Apparently they are the hot new thing 😆

There was a some media piece that they are miles better for your clothes

I have one a small hand held on and it's great. I use it for delicates.

I might up grade to a floor steamer or a steam pod.

Yes a small Tefal travel one. Doesn't need an ironing board and it doesn't damage synthetic clothes and viscose in the same way as an iron.

I also use it to freshen up cashmere wool and denim rather than washing

Yes - I have a Tefal one. I take it on holiday. Really handy. I hate ironing with a passion, but don't mind using a steamer.

I converted to a steamer last year and have never used my iron since. I just put creased clothes in a cupboard and steam them whenever anyone wants to wear them. We have the steamer set up in our spare room, so we literally just need to turn it on and go! So much better than getting an ironing board out all the time.

I've just bought one on the strength of a Radio 4 piece, outlining how washing, line drying, tumble drying and everything decreases the life of clothing, so I thought I'd try it out.

It might also answer the question posed on another thread about what to do with clothes that have been worn but aren't actually dirty. Apparently, the steam kills all the bacteria that makes clothes smelly.

I am about to use it for the first time today.

Interesting. Can you remember what the radio 4 programme was?

Thank you all. Can anyone who successfully uses one recommend theirs?

I think it depends on your expectations - for work or school shirts it's a no, for a a tshirt or whatever that looks a bit creased but getting the ironing board out is too much of a faff then it's a yes.

Tefal Pop. I tumble dry to avoid ironing and steam the odd item as needed.

It was on a programme called “Dough”, a programme about profitable everyday products and how they might evolve in future.
A man called Frej Lewenhaupt, I think Finnish.

Please can I ask a couple of questions about hand held steamers?

I believe you have to pull the fabric fairly tightly then run the steamer over the taut fabric. How do you do this without a. Pulling the garment off the hanger and b. Not scalding your hand with the steam?

I'm just use my iron as a steamer, have done for years. That way I have the right appliance for whatever is in the basket.

Great question.

It's fairly straight forward and intuitive when you get it.

You can't pull cashmere taught just pull the bottom of the item

They are also great for curtains

@thehungryteacher thank you for the reply.

Me too. I've got a cordless iron that can be used vertically and I find it much better than a hand steamer.

No. They don’t get creases out at all

I have a tefal one.
It's so much quicker and easier than ironing although it doesn't get things as nice and crisp, so some things still need an iron, pleats and shirts for example.
Great for dresses though and long/volumous stuff that doesn't fit on the ironing board.

The tefal one is fine, but the water reservoir is far too small, I have to fill twice for a long dress.

Love my steamer. Haven’t used the iron since I got it. I got mine from Amazon

https://www.amazon.co.uk/LEBENLANG-Handheld-Clothes-Steamer-Iron