Buying an iron as someone who hates ironing but loves wearing clothes that need ironing

Submitted by OddCelebration2525 t3_yhpov4 in BuyItForLife

As the title states, I am currently without an iron after having moved from furnished apartment to furnished apartment for the last 2.5 years. I would like a medium priced, easy to handle with fast results, but am fairly clueless as to what good brands, makes and models would be. Any input appreciated!

Edit: so glad I asked this group, the speed and consensus of the answers were super helpful. I went for the Access Steam + from Rowenta and I'm actually excited to start using it!

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[deleted] t1_iuf3oey wrote

[deleted]

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OddCelebration2525 OP t1_iuf6q8x wrote

I just watched this video and the ease is almost making me emotional, this is exactly what I want! My first job out of school I had to wear business attire and had the shittiest cheap iron. At 10pm every night, my spirits would sink as I realized I had nothing without wrinkles to wear the next day, and I'd spend almost half an hour getting pants and shirt decent. The time for the steamer has come!

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upvoatsforall t1_iugakfk wrote

If you wanna died some money because you really hate it that much buy a steam closet.

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deemac95 t1_iuf69oa wrote

Yes! I love my steamer, so much better than ironing!

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fightclubdevil t1_iugntum wrote

Steaming works well and is easier than ironing, but the hot press + steam from an iron beats just steam

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Popsocks11 t1_iufvfpx wrote

I haven’t touched an iron in years thanks to my steamer

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incasesheisonheretoo t1_iuge0xc wrote

I’ve been using a steamer for the many years too. I had actually never used an iron until I forgot it on a business trip and had to use the one in the hotel room. While there was a learning curve for me and it took a fair amount more time and work, I found the results considerably better than using a steamer. Also, depending on the material, there’s some clothing where the steamer just can’t fully get all of the creases out. Plus, in a hurry, if you need to put a long sleeved shirt on right after steaming it, it will form mini creases on the arms. It’s hard to describe, but basically a bunch of lines will form from the shirt being slightly damp and warm and the arm movement/bending. I didn’t experience this when I ironed my dress shirt and put it on right after.

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Lwe12345 t1_iuf3vct wrote

Steamer dude, use a steamer. It’s amazing.

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privatepersons t1_iug6grg wrote

Any recommendations on steamer?

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Lwe12345 t1_iug8oe4 wrote

Oh honestly I think I just bought the cheapest piece of crap off Amazon and it works great. You couldn’t get a worse one than me

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mister_skippy t1_iugsuvl wrote

If you want to buy it for life, go for Jiffy. If you look in almost any high-end clothing store, tailor, venue dressing room, costume shop, tv stage, etc. you’ll find Jiffy Steamers.

Get a J-2000 and spend a couple of bucks extra for the metal head. I’ve had one for 35+ years and it works as perfectly today as the day I bought it. You’ll probably pay ~$250 and it’ll be worth every penny.

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Mountain-Lecture-320 t1_iuf28iq wrote

Rowenta brand. They have a low-mid priced one marketed as "professional" that is excellent and simple, or did as recently as like 6 years ago when I helped someone else shop.

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OddCelebration2525 OP t1_iuf6w0f wrote

Thank you, glad the work you put into the search for someone else benefits me too! Looking into their steamers now, they seem reasonably affordable and available in my area

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jinxintheworld t1_iugumpd wrote

I love my rowenta, I have the one that has all the tiny holes for micro steam. It has a couple issues, but nothing that I can really complain about for the price.

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lasenorarivera t1_iuf74l5 wrote

Rowenta is it, make sure you use only distilled water or you will gunk up the machine and risk getting mineral spots on your clothes.

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Agora236 t1_iui1mrc wrote

Damn so that’s why I’ve been messing up all my steamers lol

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chocolatechoux t1_iuk8sg7 wrote

I'm grateful constantly that I live in an area withe extremely soft water.

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ButterIsMyFriend t1_iuf4c47 wrote

Rowenta, but check that it’s a model that’s made in Germany

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OddCelebration2525 OP t1_iuf6bf4 wrote

Good tip! Where would I be able to find this production location before buying the product?

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fuzzynyanko t1_iujpd4s wrote

The box will say. Bed, Bath, and Beyond is a good store if you have a 20% coupon especially

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ZombieManilow t1_iuheks5 wrote

In 20 years I’ve only found Made in Mexico versions in the US. Costco used to carry them regularly.

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nozelt t1_iufev2u wrote

I used to just throw a wet sock in the dryer with the stuff I needed ironed but maybe that’s more of a highschool trick

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Hriibek t1_iuh59r5 wrote

I'm listening... How does this sock magic work?

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nozelt t1_iuh6fmy wrote

Lol it’s exactly as it sounds. Get a sock wet and toss it in the dryer with whatever you need ironed and it comes out with no wrinkles in a bit. Probably just the steam + heat combo idk

I just did it with dress shirts whenever I needed to but maybe there’s a reason not to I’m no expert

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Hriibek t1_iuh6p40 wrote

How long does the drier need to be on?

And if I do this with dry clothes, will the result be same or better than when I pull dry clothes that I have had washed before?

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nozelt t1_iuhak1d wrote

Idk like 5-15 min I haven’t done it in forever

Not quite sure what you mean

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Hriibek t1_iuhc1ly wrote

Nevermind...

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nozelt t1_iuic0l6 wrote

Ya it works with clothes that haven’t been washed recently if that’s what you’re asking

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PerspectiveTricky463 t1_iuiryxv wrote

Mix a small amount of fabric softener with water in a spray bottle (like 1:10 ratio). You can watch the wrinkles fall out. Can toss it in the dryer for a minute if it’s too wet to wear, but you only need a tiny amount of the spray. It’s essentially the same as the wrinkle release spray downy makes but much cheaper since it’s just watered down fabric softener.

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[deleted] t1_iuhstok wrote

[deleted]

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nozelt t1_iuiblzq wrote

No it will definitely work with a shirt that hasn’t been washed recently. I had to dress up for sports every week in high school and never used an ironing board. That’s the point of the wet sock.

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Siixteentons t1_iuhj4p0 wrote

It will be about the same as if you pulled the clothes immediately from the dryer as it finishes and hung them up immediately

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entropic_apotheosis t1_iuigfcd wrote

Oh I’m a notch down from the sock- I turn on my shower and wave the clothes through the water stream and toss them in the dryer- the moisture + heat gets wrinkles right out and it only takes about 15 min

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browneyedgirlpie t1_iug52oe wrote

If you need a crisp crease, use an iron. Most everything else can be handled by a steamer.

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OddCelebration2525 OP t1_iugw3jh wrote

Good point. Luckily now it's not as formal attire at work, so the steamer will probably do, but I wonder how it will do on the 'sturdier' fabrics I have

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Faeglantina t1_iufh6qm wrote

I find that line drying my clothes cuts down on the amount I have to iron. If you dry a shirt on a coat hanger, it comes out a lot neater. Depending on the formality of the occasion, you may have to go over it with an iron, but it’s a much easier job.

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OddCelebration2525 OP t1_iugvg66 wrote

I do dry all of my dress shirts on clothing hangers, for some materials it's enough but other shirts are now being ignored because they aren't representable enough without ironing...

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Faeglantina t1_iuh4qhv wrote

In that case, I’d go with the other poster and recommend maybe a steamer. I don’t use one myself, but if don’t need a crisp crease it should be good.

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Bcruz75 t1_iuid02f wrote

How do you address the bumpy shoulders created at the end of the hanger?

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theother_Jeff t1_iuiq2pg wrote

That’s most likely just because the hangers don’t fit the shoulders very well. Switching from plastic and wire hangers to the wooden(bamboo?) hangers from ikea has helped with that issue for my dress shirts, as they’re a bit wider and fit the width of the shoulders on my shirts a bit better. Narrower and skinnier hangers don’t support the garment as well and thus put more pressure on the ends of the hanger and create those shoulder bumps more often

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Bcruz75 t1_iuir5rz wrote

I'll give it another go. I have pretty broad shoulders (6'4 and larger frame) but I have some suit hangers that would probably do the trick.

Here comes an incredibly obtuse question....I assume you need to steam once the garment is dry? I had to ask.

Thanks

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theother_Jeff t1_iuirl2x wrote

Yup, otherwise you’re just adding more moisture to an already wet garment and just making it potentially take longer to dry. I sometimes iron shirts when they’re almost fully dry and let the iron use the moisture left in the shirt to steam it simultaneously, but generally I get better results when I just wait till it’s fully dry to iron or steam the garments

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VenomWebber t1_iufflrs wrote

Make sure to use de-mineralized(distilled) water in something that makes steam do avoid horrible calc stains😄

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OddCelebration2525 OP t1_iugvbf3 wrote

Thanks! I have no clue where to get this where I live but will be looking into it!

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Siixteentons t1_iuhja50 wrote

Walmart water/drink aisle. Just look for the gallon jug(milk jug type) that says distilled. Not spring or purified, but distilled.

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OddCelebration2525 OP t1_iuhx3js wrote

Thank you! I'm a non-US inhabitant but I'll check my local grocery and see what I can find

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AwesomeLowlander t1_iuif7qz wrote

This is only applicable if you live in a place with very mineralised tap water. A lot of countries have better water quality than the states, so YMMV

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OddCelebration2525 OP t1_iuig1l3 wrote

Great quality water here in the Netherlands, I assumed it was hard water though. As I now read up, it appears we have 'soft' water with a 'hardness of 7.8dH (source: Waternet). This they do to actually preserve washing machines etc, so that's pretty cool!

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VenomWebber t1_iuirjet wrote

Ahh cool since you live in the Netherlands I also do. So just look for: "gedestilleerd/gedemineraliseerd/demi water" it's available at most supermarkets and I think even the action. Be sure to use it to avoid calc 😉✌🏻

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danny_dajer t1_iug1cn4 wrote

I been using a steamer for 6 years and let me tell you. It comes in clutch . You can get a good one from 50$-100$. It’ll do you justice

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OddCelebration2525 OP t1_iugvx47 wrote

Sweet! Has it been the same one for the past six years? Looks like this is a good choice for me too

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danny_dajer t1_iuhkxh8 wrote

Yesiiir . Just go to target or Walmart and see what they got . I can’t remember which one mine is called but it’s a def must have

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Da12khawk t1_iugac0p wrote

hang it when ur taking a hot shower... in the shower room if u wanna be cheap

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bytesmythe t1_iugbatj wrote

My wife wanted a steamer, so we ended up getting this one: https://jiffysteamer.com/esteam-j-2000i-pink-bundle/

She absolutely loves it. It takes wrinkles out like magic.

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Harmania t1_iufzsa1 wrote

I have a shit Black & Decker “Light & Easy” iron likely bought at a central Illinois Wal-Mart in 1992, and it still works as well as it did the day my parents bought it for me as I went away to school.

Does it do anything fancy? No. Do the steam features it has work particularly well? Also no. But that SOB will probably outlast me and can still press a pleat as well as my meager skills will allow it to.

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OddCelebration2525 OP t1_iugvlrp wrote

Sir, your iron is older than I am. Do you do anything particular for upkeep you recommend?

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MOIST_MAN t1_iug0sz5 wrote

Everyone has great suggestions for an iron, but without an ironing board to go with it, ironing will make you weep. The board makes such a big difference

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OddCelebration2525 OP t1_iugvnef wrote

For sure, been there before. I opted for a steamer now, let's see where that gets me!

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toosexyformyboots t1_iugj0h1 wrote

Gonna say something new and different. Steamer.

jokes aside owning a steamer fixed me

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MrMScott t1_iuic3ip wrote

Others have mentioned the steamer route, in addition consider hanging your clothes immediately after they finish drying.

I find that I have more to iron and harder marks to remove when I let the pile sit for even 30 mins.

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OddCelebration2525 OP t1_iuidrb2 wrote

Good suggestion, I can be very lazy with taking them out of the laundry, but I also don't have a dryer so they tend to come out too wrinkly from the wash regardless

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zHernande t1_iufhfrc wrote

I have the accessteam iron from Rowenta also, you will not regret it!

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tariandeath t1_iug57v5 wrote

I use wool balls in my dryer and just spray them damp and throw whatever needs de wrinkled in there.

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OddCelebration2525 OP t1_iugw58x wrote

Once I have a dryer in my life again, will definitely consider this solution!

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shallweskate t1_iuh4z82 wrote

Jumping on the steamer train because it works! But keep in mind: how long it takes to get a steam going, if you're going to be steaming mostly shirts or trousers/dresses too, your space constraints.

I'm looking into getting a travel steamer instead, something fast so I can just steam the one item right before I wear it. I had bought a pricey Philips upright steamer for my work dresses and skirts. But it takes about 3-5 minutes to get going. I'm so lazy, this already puts me off doing anything with my clothes. I wear linen exclusively now and use the steamer board to dry my hand washed clothes more these days.

It also comes with a little glove to protect your hand, and it's some powerful shit. Every week I'll hear my sister curse as she attempts to steam the clothes but gets her hand instead because she's too cool for the glove. A little travel one might be a bit safer, I hope.

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PinkMini72 t1_iuh7iiu wrote

Agreed! A steamer or a stream station type iron.

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KoliManja t1_iugr5gs wrote

Buy any iron. It doesn't matter. My advice is (to make it BIFL), buy a gallon can of distilled water (about $1 in the supermarket). Use nothing but distilled water in the iron and the iron will last forever! My cheap walmart iron is more than 10 years old, and looks and functions like brand new (well, except for the worn out non-stick coating, that is).

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OddCelebration2525 OP t1_iugx3ol wrote

Perfect, I'll be looking into this because I hated this when ironing before, it has led to some lost clothing items sacrified to the calc gods

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ZombieManilow t1_iuheqhx wrote

I’m on Team Rowenta steam iron + Rowenta steamer + Corby trouser press. One tool can’t do it all.

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brazenxbull t1_iuhhexh wrote

It's a real catch, that catch-22.

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PerspectiveTricky463 t1_iuiri9n wrote

I wear 100% cotton dress shirts for work. They’re non iron but that’s not always perfect. I use a small amount of fabric softener mixed in a spray bottle with water (like 1:10 ratio, if even that much). I spray my shirts out of the dryer and can watch the wrinkles fall out in seconds. It only seems to work the best on cotton, athletic clothes don’t work as well.

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