Steamer vs Iron – Which One Should You Buy?

A steamer is to get rid of wrinkles on your clothes. So is an iron. Both are designed to generate heat and steam to loosen the fibers of the materials so that wrinkles can be erased. I have used both and there are pros and cons to each. So, if you are wondering which is the winner in the steamer vs iron debate, I would say it depends on your ironing load and your level of fussiness.

There is no one size fits all solution. Different people will have different preferences and needs. Both a steamer and a steam iron can do the job. While some people can live with only one and not the other, others do have a need for both. So, let’s take a look if a steamer or a steam iron is more suitable for you or you might like to have both too for ironing different items in your closet.

Why Choose A Garment Steamer?

No Ironing Board Needed

Even if you have the money to spare for the best ironing board, you might not have space for it due to its size. It is hard to store and keep it entirely hidden from view and yet, easy to access each time you need to use it. While you can always opt for a small ironing board, a smaller surface area can make the task much tougher and longer to complete. On the other hand, a garment steamer does not require an ironing board. You will still need a bit of space for an upright steamer but there are plenty of handheld steamers that you can choose from such as the Rowenta X-Cel Steam that eliminates the storage problem once and for all.

Makes The Task Easier

Not everybody knows how to iron. There is a learning curve even if you are prepared to learn. It also takes patience to get the techniques right so that you will have a perfectly ironed shirt or pants. Compared to ironing, steaming is much simpler. You just grab the steam head and let the steam does the job as you slowly move it over your clothes. There is little to learn and practice when it comes to steaming.

It Is Faster

With a fabric steamer, you don’t have to lay your garment totally flat on a surface. You also don’t need to keep repositioning your clothes like you do when you iron. This makes the process quicker. In fact, you can save a lot of time if you have a powerful clothes steamer that generates a high steam output that can get rid of wrinkles quickly.

Other Uses

A steamer also can be used to get rid of dust mites and bed bugs. The steam is hot enough to kill these creatures and it is easy to run the steamer through every inch of your mattress.

The Cons Of A Fabric Steamer

Results Are Not Perfect

A steamer will be able to get rid of wrinkles on your clothes but you won’t be able to get them to look as crisp and sharp compared to ironing. Furthermore, stubborn wrinkles might be difficult to erase with a steamer and it is not uncommon to still end up with faint wrinkles on your clothes after steaming. These are wrinkles that will be clearly visible when you hold up your clothes against the light.

Hard To Get A Deep Set Crease

If you like to have creases down the sleeves of your shirt or pants, a steam iron is the better tool for the job. The best is to use a steam press which will give you long-lasting creases. These are machines that will bear a 100-lb pressure on your clothes. So, although a garment steamer may have a creaser attachment, the creases that it generates don’t last. There is a lack of weight and pressure to make creases stay and look sharp on your clothes.

Tiring On The Arm

You need to hold a steamer upright for steaming. Thus, if you have a lot of clothes to go through, it can get tiring holding the steamer in that position for long periods of time. It might be better if you have an upright garment steamer because the steam head is lighter. But if what you have is a handheld fabric steamer, it can weigh over 3 lbs when filled with water. It can be heavy and tiring for some as you would be holding it upright throughout the steaming process.

Why You Should Get A Steam Iron

Crisp And Sharp Results

The best steam irons can give you the crispness and sharpness that a steamer can’t. Apart from getting rid of wrinkles, it can set creases and make your clothes look like they are professionally done by the dry cleaners.

Dry Or Steam

With a regular clothes iron, you have a choice to shut off the steam and just use dry ironing. This would be useful for more delicate items. Moreover, even if there are leaks and spits in your steam iron, you can still use it as a dry iron and rely on a spray bottle to wet your clothes. But if your garment steamer starts spitting out water, there is nothing much you can do because there is no dry function that you can switch to. It relies on water and steam to carry out its function effectively unlike an iron which will still work with a heated soleplate.

Ironing Board Is Not A Must

Although having a standard-sized ironing board is best, it is not a must. There are ironing board alternatives that you can use if you have space constraints. They may not be as user-friendly but they should not deter you from investing in a good steam iron either.

The Disadvantages Of A Steam Iron

Learning Curve

It takes practice to get perfect results with an iron. Sometimes, you may create new wrinkles or scorch your clothes as you iron which can cause further frustration. It is certainly not a task that you can get right the first few times.

Ironing Accessories Needed

After getting an iron, an ironing board is the next item that you will need. Even if you don’t get an ironing board, you will still need an ironing blanket before you can begin the chore. Typically, these are not provided when you buy a steam iron and you need to get them separately. But the same cannot be said for a garment steamer. Accessories like creaser and brush are normally included with the purchase of any clothes steamer. You can use it out of the box without needing to buy anything extra, unlike an iron.

Keeping And Taking Out The Ironing Board

It is a hassle to have to take out the ironing board for use and keep it back when you are done. Even if you have the space to store it, it is big and bulky to handle. The best is if you can leave it open in a permanent spot but not everyone has that kind of space either.

Steamer vs Iron : Which Is Better?

Is a garment steamer the same as a conventional iron? Well, the objective is the same, which is to get rid of wrinkles. But the results can differ. This is why some people still think an iron is better and you cannot replace it with a steamer, especially if you are using the best Rowenta irons to do the job. Generally, these are also people who are fussier about the results and need to get the right creases in the right spots on their clothes.

In short, a conventional steam iron is better if results matter to you. Ironing will take you longer and handling an ironing board would be a hassle. Using a garment steamer is faster and easier but the results will not be as sharp and crisp. This is also a reason why some people buy both for their home. The steam iron is for dress clothes when you need to look your very best. The garment steamer is for quick touch-ups or light wrinkles.

Basically, there is really no definite answer to the steamer vs iron debate. The question should be are you willing to sacrifice your time for better results? Or do you prefer doing less for not so perfect-looking clothes? It is an individual choice that only you would be able to answer.