What Are the Disadvantages of Steam Ironing
What are the disadvantages of steam ironing, and should you give it a try? We’re going to cover everything you need to know in this article.
If you are new to the world of clothes steamers, you’re probably asking yourself, “What are the disadvantages of steam ironing?”. Lucky for you, we’ve put our heads together to dive into this, and we are going to be exploring all the cons of steam ironing that you’re going to want to know about before you splurge on a clothes steamer.
Find out how much ironing services cost and what to expect for ironing per hour in the UK. We want to make your life easier, and nothing makes your life easier than knowing what to expect when it comes to your laundry.
What is Steam Ironing?
Steam ironing is the term used to describe the alternative method of using steam to release wrinkles from clothes. It has grown in popularity over the recent years thanks to the handy clothes steamer, but many irons also have steaming settings that are used to get the same effect.
For the purposes of this article, ‘steam ironing’ will be in reference particularly to the clothes steamers rather than the irons that have these steamer settings. However, some points we mention may apply to both.
What Are The Disadvantages of Steam Ironing
Let’s get this out of the way first: the price. Steam irons or clothes steamers can be considerably more expensive that the irons that most of us are used to. However, there are also affordable steamers available online, and there are sales and discounts happening all the time.
With that being said, if you find an affordable clothes steamer online, we encourage you to first check out the reviews before spending any money. Not all steamers are worth the money, whether it’s from design or quality, listen to reviews and make an informed decision – because sometimes things are too good to be true.
With that out of the way, what are the disadvantages of steam ironing that you’re going to want to take into consideration before you purchase a steamer?
Not Suitable for All Fabrics
Like irons, steamers are not going to be suitable for all fabric types. Waxed jackets, leather, and suede are not suitable for steamer use, just like a regular iron. Other clothes or materials that you should keep away from steamers include anything made of plastic or even with plastic embellishments or buttons.
The steam from these devices is hot, which means that the plastic can be damaged or melt. Overall, the limitations of using a steamer for your clothes are similar to that of an iron, but there is less risk of damage due to there being no hot plate to burn fabrics.
Vertical Use is Recommended to Prevent Leaking
This isn’t the case with all steamers, but many clothes steamers need to be used vertically so that water doesn’t leak out of the tank. This also means that you need to have a suitable place to do your steaming and not just the back of your wooden door – since steaming will damage the paint and the wood.
An added complication here is that you won’t be able to travel with the tank full, as it can leak over your belongings. This is a smell thing, since you can just keep a bottle of water with you to fill it up when needed, but still worth noting.
You Will Need to Fill the Tank Frequently
Continuing on the problem with tanks, the tanks of steamers are usually small. Because of this, you should expect to need to fill it up frequently.
Again, this isn’t really a big issue. Filling up the tank of a clothes steamer isn’t difficult, and you can have water handy when steaming to save time.
Stubborn Creases Are a Problem
Finally, the only other disadvantage of steam ironing is that it won’t be effective on really stubborn creases or wrinkles. As you probably know, even the trusted iron can struggle with decade-old creases that have plagued a garment, and the steamer is also going to struggle here.
It’s not magic, but it’s about as close as we can get in the world of laundry!
Okay, But What About the Advantages?
We can dive into the negatives of anything all day and break it down, but let’s not forget that steam ironing also has a range of advantages, too! These devices are easy to use and very effective, with many steamer options available on the market at different price points, settings, and styles.
Below are some of the top benefits of using a steamer for all of your ironing needs:
- They remove odour and kill bacteria
- Perfect for fragile garments
- Effective at removing wrinkles in most types of clothing
- It doesn’t use any chemicals
- Steamers can alleviate allergens
- They can be used on furniture, curtains, cushions, and more
Clothes steamers are able to heat up fast, and their different size options means that they can easily be stored in places like cupboards and wardrobes to suit you. They are excellent for travelling with, as smaller products can be kept in suitcases for being crease-free on-the-go.
Should You Use a Steamer or an Iron?
Both clothes steamers and irons have their place. Both have pros and cons to be aware of, and different equipment may suit different lifestyles and preferences.
With that being said, irons are fantastic for more stubborn creases, but do come at an increased risk. Steamers, on the other hand, can struggle with these stubborn wrinkles, but are generally safer than irons and also more versatile.
Ultimately, you need to consider what you would use the products for, and go from there. If you want to be able to steam curtains and couches as well as clothes, then a clothes steamer is probably going to be the perfect option for you.
Book a Service With Love2Laundry
At Love2Laundry, we offer easy online services to help you take a load off in your busy life. Our app is perfect for anyone who wants to get their laundry back within 24 hours. From personal to commercial, our pricing can’t be beaten – especially with our membership discounts!
Love2Laundry’s signature laundry service is a lifesaver for our users, whether it is for personal or commercial use. All you need to do is call – no dropping off and no added headaches.
You can easily book a service with us by following these four simple steps:
- Hop on our website or app and plate an order. You will be asked to include a time and date for when you would like us to come and collect your items
- We will arrive at the designated time and date and pick up your items
- We tend to your items in accordance with the service you have selected, including dry cleaning, washing, drying, ironing, and so on
- We come back and return your items to you. We always aim to complete our orders and hand them back to you within 24 hours, but your order will always be with you before 48 hours are up.
With how easy it is to book a service with Love2Laundry, it’s hard not to be convinced that we’re worth it. We don’t disrupt your day, and our goals are the same as yours: get the laundry done and delivered back to you in no time.
Let Love2Laundry Help
Steam ironing can be great, but it isn’t without its disadvantages. Hopefully this article has helped you decide is steam ironing is worth it – and if you need help with your ironing, we’re just a few clicks away!
Need help with your ironing? We offer information to help you with ironing creases out of trousers and shirts, and answer all your unasked questions – like if laundrettes do ironing! We also look at ironing charges in services, and the best ironing services near you.
So, what are the disadvantages of steam ironing? Disadvantages are few and far between, with the worst of them being that it can’t be used on all fabrics and that you need to refill the water.
If you think pick-up laundry services would be a good fit for you, why not give us a call to learn more through the phone number or email address below?
Phone
0203 600 0296
info@love2laundry.com
