Have you ever faced problems while smoothing out your denim jacket with a dry iron? Did you really remove the deep wrinkles? I guess not because dry iron isn’t capable of removing such stubborn wrinkles and smoothing out heavy clothes.
What comes to the rescue in such a situation is a steam iron, which uses heat and steam to smooth out any delicate and heavy clothing item perfectly. So, is steam iron good for clothes? Any day, because it doesn’t damage the fabrics while removing wrinkles.
Also, steam ironing is a time-efficient procedure that provides a professional look to your clothes. Moreover, you can apply it on items like curtains, pillow covers, bedsheets, and so on.
Stay with us as there is more you need to know.
When to Choose Steam Iron for Clothes?
People often get confused between steam iron and dry iron for clothes, as they don’t really know which type is preferable in different situations. A few factors are there that impact the selection of steam ironing, and it starts with the fabric any day.
Let’s go and learn when one needs to choose a steam iron for clothes.
Fabric
If you have delicate fabrics in your cupboard, it is better to have steam ironing to remove any sort of wrinkles. The steam of such iron goes inside the fabric by loosening the fiber and removing the wrinkles perfectly.
Cotton and linen are the most common types of fabric that require steam ironing. However, a few more fabric types are there that require steam ironing for a better result.
- Cotton
- Linen
- Muslin
- Denim
- Velvet
- Corduroy
As these fabrics aren’t heat-sensitive, you can go for steam ironing here. On the contrary, choosing steam iron for heat-sensitive fabrics like wool, nylon, and polyester would be a suicidal decision.
Quantity of clothes
The number of clothes one needs to iron often can determine whether he/she needs a steam iron. As it removes wrinkles quickly through steam, it becomes more convenient to deal with more clothes at the same time.
Here are a few of the different types of clothes required for steam ironing.
- Suits and jackets
- Curtains
- Bedsheets
- Pillows
- Mattresses, etc.
As you don’t need any extra sheet or board to iron the clothes, unlike dry ironing, it’s easy to remove the tough wrinkles efficiently. Thus, it saves a huge amount of time, even when someone needs to remove wrinkles within a short period.
Budgeting for the Iron
Budgeting always stands out as a hindrance to choosing a steam iron. Wondering why? This is because dry iron is on the cheapest side of the page compared to steam ironing.
The price of a high-end steam iron can go up to $250, whereas you can get your hands on a high-end dry iron for just $100. It clarifies the story that steam iron costs more than double compared to a dry iron.
In that case, if the user has no issues with the pricing, he/she can always go for a steam iron on the first page.
Usage comfort
A user doesn’t need to take the cloth off the hanger to remove the wrinkles using a steam iron. Doesn’t it sound interesting and proof of the convenience of using a steam iron?
Indeed, the usage is comparatively convenient, and here are a few reasons.
- These irons come with a perfect weight balance
- Easy to handle in any situation using the comfortable handlebar
- Allows taking on the go
- Doesn’t require any sheet or board for the ironing procedure.
However, some might still prefer dry iron, depending on their needs. But whatever it is, always choose smartly.
Is Steam Iron Good for Clothes?
When the thought of using a steam iron goes through your mind, the first thing you’ll definitely want to know is steam ironing good for clothes or not.
Well, steam ironing is specified for particular types of fabrics like cotton, linen, denim, and so on. However, knowing the benefits will let you determine whether to use a steam iron or not.
Doesn’t damage the fabrics
Unlike traditional dry irons, steam irons have the least chance of damaging any fabric. That is the reason why it is supposed to be a trustworthy method for removing wrinkles.
Starting from silk to cotton, this type of iron can deal with any sort of delicate fabric properly. The vapor penetrates the fabric and loosens the fibers. Therefore, it smoothly removes wrinkles without damaging the fabric’s quality.
The quality of the materials used in your clothing remains the same as it was before applying steam.
Conveniently remove wrinkles
With the smooth and quality-maintained ironing procedure, steam irons can always come in handy to remove stubborn wrinkles from any delicate clothing item.
But you might be wondering, can iron maintain its efficiency when applied to different fabrics like silk or denim? The simple answer is that it can because it comes with an adjustable setting, which allows the user to change it according to need.
For instance, the pressure a cotton shirt will require is far less than what is required for a denim jacket. But regardless of the fabric type, the iron deals gently every time while removing the creases and wrinkles.
Provides a professional look to your clothing
Give your clothing a professional look immediately with the help of a steam iron. Is that so easy? Yes, it is because the iron can simply remove any sort of crease or wrinkle by getting inside the delicate material of clothing fabric.
To bring the beauty missing from the clothing, this particular iron type works better than anything else. Even the most stubborn wrinkle vanishes with the vapor. Moreover, there is no chance of burning your clothing due to excessive heat.
Time-efficient and quick procedure
Even if you are in a rush to reach your workplace in time in the morning, there is no better solution than relying on a steam iron to have a professional look on the clothes.
Unlike dry iron, a steam iron for clothes never takes too much time to remove wrinkles. Often, it’s a handy process to get rid of the most stubborn crease off your denim pants. But how it does everything so quickly, it appears like a riddle.
The reason is the continuous steam that comes out of the outer shell reaches the delicate materials of your cloth efficiently. Therefore, it brings out the required output by loosening the fibers inside.
A vast usage
One of the most important reasons why steam iron is a better choice is that it gives ample opportunities to remove wrinkles from your clothing items as well as different items from daily usage.
For instance, removing wrinkles from the mattress, pillow cover, curtain, etc., is possible through steam ironing. Moreover, it works for both soft and heavy clothing items. The usage ultimately depends on your need, and having such an iron always keeps you one step ahead.
A safer option to go for
Steam iron is always considered a safer option compared to a dry iron. The high-end ones come with a built-in turn-off option to shut down the machine automatically when the task is over.
This automatic turn-off option reduces the chances of any potential risks that you might not have in the manual ones.
Another superb side of this type of iron is that it doesn’t just provide a professional look to the clothing but also removes germs & bacteria to make it cleaner. So one can have a polished and neat clothing experience.
Easy maintenance
To maintain performance consistency and ensure longevity, there is no alternative to maintenance of any machinery item. The same applies to the steam irons. Here are a few things you can do to maintain it.
- Remove any water from the water tank after the job is done
- Gently wipe on the soleplate using a soft cloth and clean
- Never store it, keeping the soleplate underneath
- Always store it in a cool and dry place.
The maintenance indeed seems easy, right? Regular maintenance will hold the performance level and let you have a professional look at your clothing.
A durable choice
If you are looking for a long-lasting item to serve your clothing items and style, go for a steam iron without a second thought. It is built with robust materials, which ensures a prolonged performance. Ceramic and stainless steel are used as the soleplate material.
Even when it is applied on heavy clothing items to remove serious creases and wrinkles, it performs at the best level. Therefore, it’s quite obvious to have an optimum level of performance.
How Does a Steam Iron Work?
A steam iron basically works with the combination of steam and heat produced from the built-in water tank in the iron. Let’s get inside and know the details.
- Fill the water tank and set up the heat limit depending on the clothing fabric
- This heat will transform the water into steam gradually
- When the iron is heated enough, press it on the fabric
- The steam will come out through the holes available on the soleplate
- It will reach the fabric and loosen the fibers
- Finally, the steam will smooth out the wrinkles.
The procedure is very simple and efficient. But what makes this type of iron more effective than dry iron is having both vapor and heat at the same time. It doesn’t even damage any sensitive clothing items.
How to Pick the Right Steam Iron for Clothes?
The selection of a steam iron mostly depends on your needs, and you need to think smartly enough to choose the right one. The reason is that you might not want an iron that only serves one particular type of clothing, rather it should come with an adjustable setting.
So, let’s go through the things that you need to know to pick the right steam iron.
Wattage for heating power and steam output
The higher the wattage is, the faster power it will generate for a quick steam output. The most appropriate wattage range is between 1500 to 2000 watts, ensuring an optimum performance. Also, a better output is necessary to deal with the stubborn wrinkles.
Water tank capacity
It becomes a tiresome task if you frequently have to refill the water tank. A tank with the capacity to handle quite several clothing items. Determine your need first, and then choose the iron.
Soleplate material
Don’t compromise the soleplate material while choosing steam irons because it is the particular part that decides the longevity of the item and how smoothly it can make the clothing items. Ceramic and stainless steel are the two most common and efficient soleplate materials.
High steam output
The iron must provide a flexible steam output. The reason is that different clothing items are available in your wardrobe, which requires different flow of steam and heat. Soft and heavy items have differences. Therefore, having an adjustable setting will help you out here.
Auto turn-off feature
You might forget to turn off the iron unconsciously someday. If there is an auto turn-off feature, the machine will automatically turn off, leaving no risk issues to occur behind. Manually turning it off is okay; an automatic one makes the iron highly safer.
Lengthier cord for a better reach
A shorter cord will arrive as a hindrance while reaching clothes at a distance. It’s better if you think of buying one with a long cord that provides ample flexibility to the user.
Is There Any Disadvantage of Using a Steam Iron?
As no machinery is perfect, how can the steam iron be? Even though it has a lot of advantages, there is no doubt that a few disadvantages create some doubts among the users.
- Due to the build materials, steam iron appears to be a heavier item compared to dry iron.
- It is anytime a costlier option.
- Steam iron consumes more energy because it has to transform water into steam and then work on it to smooth out the clothing.
- Sometimes, it’s too much noisy which is irritating.
- If the cord length is short, flexibility reduces a lot.
Even after these disadvantages, steam irons are the perfect choice for removing stubborn wrinkles from delicate pieces of clothing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Using a Steam Iron
As a user, you must be careful while using a steam iron. In the opposite scenario, carelessness or mistakes can lead to damage to machinery items as well as clothing items.
So, here are the most common mistakes we make while using a steam iron.
- Overfilling the tank may cause leakage of water
- Not unplugging or turning off the iron after the usage is over
- Not cleaning the soleplate regularly
- Applying too much steam on any cloth can make it wet
- Ironing anything except for clothing items
- Not having a board or sheet underneath the cloth while pressing.
Avoid these mistakes to ensure the longevity of the iron. Moreover, your clothing items will remain safe as well just because you are cautious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have any other queries regarding steam iron? If you do, we’re to assist you with the following questions and answers.
Q1. Which Iron is Better, Dry or Steam?
The choice is yours because it is entirely connected with the users’ needs. Dry iron is an affordable option, whereas steam iron is an expensive one. But when you need something for delicate and soft materials, steam iron is suggested.
Even removing heavy wrinkles from heavy materials requires a steam iron. But if you are a normal user who occasionally uses iron, you can definitely depend on a dry steam.
Q2. Does Steam Iron Fade Clothes?
Of course, no, steam iron doesn’t fade clothes. Rather, it gives your clothing a professional and perfect look. The only thing you need to ensure is having an optimum temperature depending on the fabric material.
Q3. Can I Use a Steam Iron Without Water?
No, there is no chance of using a steam iron without water. The steam produced in the iron is the result of transforming water into vapor. After filling the water tank with water, you need to set up a temperature to heat the water.
It will gradually transform the water into steam. When it’s over, you can apply it to the clothing item as the vapor or steam will come out through holes on the soleplate.
Q4. Will Steam Iron Dry Clothes?
Steam iron comes with the purpose of smoothing out your clothes and giving them a professional look. So, using it to dry any cloth won’t be a smart move. However, it can take away moisture from the cloth if there is any on it through heat.
Q5. Does Steam Iron Consume a Lot of Electricity?
Yes, steam iron consumes more electricity if you compare it with a dry iron. The reason is that it heats the water first and then turns it into steam. Both of these steps require heavy energy consumption.
Q6. What is the Lifespan of a Steam Iron?
A steam iron can last for several years easily, provided that you take every care of it, which means proper maintenance. Moreover, a quality product with a better build quality will serve you for a long time.
Final Thoughts
Now, the thing is that steam iron is a good choice if you regularly need to smooth out delicate clothing items and give them a professional look. But you must keep in mind that this type of iron falls under the category of expensive ones.
Choosing a cost-efficient one may help you out in certain situations, but having a better one is always good. Also, the steam and heat provide a double layer of pressure and can easily deal with stubborn wrinkles.
So, if someone asks, “Is steam iron good for clothes?” never hesitate to answer the question depending on whatever you learned today.
Founder & Editor of Textile Learner. He is a Textile Consultant, Blogger & Entrepreneur. Mr. Kiron is working as a textile consultant in several local and international companies. He is also a contributor of Wikipedia.
