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Clothes steamers.

(18 Posts)
Usedtobeblonde Thu 05-Feb-26 16:34:11

Has anyone bought/used a hand held clothes steamer that they can recommend?
I dislike ironing anyway but now I can’t stand for long , I don’t like sitting to iron and my shoulders ache after just a short time.
I should like to consider a steamer for the very few items which really would benefit from a spruce up.

Astitchintime Thu 05-Feb-26 16:41:21

Personally, I would say that holding a steamer will make your shoulders ache just as much as using a traditional iron OP.
However, that’s purely my opinion, others might have more advice to add but it would be a shame to waste your money on an appliance that causing pain over smooth laundry.

Doodledog Thu 05-Feb-26 16:50:30

I have one from Must Have Ideas. It is useful, particularly for things like coats that I wouldn't iron, but can get creased from sitting on them, or from being in a cupboard over the summer. I sometimes use it on pillow cases if they've got too creased in the dryer - I just run it over them on the pillows.

Visgir1 Thu 05-Feb-26 16:52:37

They are easy to use, and not heavy but a lot depends on how much you Iron? I find it quicker for a "one- off" item, or things you can hang up, like Curtains but I wouldn't do a pile of Ironing with one .

You sound like you don't want to do much so, this sounds perfect for you.

I have noticed that some Hotels only provided these, as they are so easy to store and use.

Mine is a "Black and Decker" one, I didn't spend a lot of money on it, works fine and it's quick.

Retread Thu 05-Feb-26 17:00:29

I love my steamer, it cost about £20. I bought a padded hanger recommended to use with it, it means I can press the steamer on to shoulder areas. OH loves it too! He does all his own ironing/steamering. 😊

MollyNew Thu 05-Feb-26 17:06:23

I bought my hand steamer from Argos, it's very useful and just a bit heavier than a hairdryer.

WelshPoppy Fri 06-Feb-26 15:32:02

I've got a Steamworks steamer that I use for one or two items at a time as I quite enjoy and am still able to do ironing. I find it's easy to use and, depending on the length of the item I'm steaming, I hang it over my 'clothes horse' as it's then at a level that doesn't need me stretching too far.

clbm48 Fri 06-Feb-26 15:36:23

Completely agree with others - once filled with water, steamers are almost as heavy as irons and they don't glide, so feel even heavier. I've tried several models and none worked for me. I've got arthritic arms/wrists/hands

Lemonred Fri 06-Feb-26 17:02:07

I much prefer my regular iron. I don’t do a vast amount of ironing, as my heat pump drier is very kind on clothes. Over the years I have tried several hand steamers and never found them to be much use at all, heavy, and awkward to use. They don’t really get creases out. Only good for a quick freshen of something from the wardrobe that’s already ironed.

Usedtobeblonde Fri 06-Feb-26 17:47:41

Thank you all for the comments, I think I shall carry on with ironing on a need to wear basis.
It seems to work reasonably well as long as I don’t receive sudden invitations and those dried up long ago😉

FranP Fri 06-Feb-26 21:37:35

Mostly I hang damp on the line and let the wind do the work. My iron comes out during mid-summer when it is still and dry.

If I had a lot of clothes to iron, I would be tempted with an airblower type. (Put your item over the top of the model and blow the steam outward through the item) I would watch this working at my launderette something like this (not advertising, added for explanation www.amazon.co.uk/Automatic-Hands-free-Aromatherapy-Temperature-360%C2%B0Without/dp/B0G7BKMMYB/ref=asc_df_B0G7BKMMYB?tag=gransnetforum-21

MT62 Sat 07-Feb-26 00:24:37

I bought a brand new one in a charity £10.
Great for steaming my new curtains that I hung up the other day.
Also did a silk blouse, came up a treat.
I don’t think I could stand for an hour trying to iron clothes with one though.

Retread Sat 07-Feb-26 09:01:51

I don't quite understand why people say steamers are heavy - I keep a jug of filtered water and keep refilling mine as I work with it. So it is not heavy, in fact the one I have I'd describe as "lightweight".

VerbenaGirl Sat 07-Feb-26 09:39:37

I've got the Russell Hobbs Steam Genie 2in1 Handheld Garment Steamer and I pretty much never get the iron out now. It does have a bit of weight to it though - so very much for doing one garment at a time, as you need it.

Usedtobeblonde Sat 07-Feb-26 09:53:35

I never intended to use it as I did a conventional iron, standing until the basket was empty, how I hated those days!!
I just occasionally have an item of clothing that does need pressing before I can wear it, I may reconsider and Google a few.

mrsba Sat 07-Feb-26 10:00:23

I was wondering about a travel steamer for those linen trousers that always look creased when they come out of the suitcase, any ideas?

MT62 Sat 07-Feb-26 12:44:03

I would take mine if I went on holiday as it’s lightweight mrsba.
Those travel irons aren’t very good.

MT62 Sat 07-Feb-26 12:47:21

mrsba

I was wondering about a travel steamer for those linen trousers that always look creased when they come out of the suitcase, any ideas?

If put a small open plastic bag between your trousers or tops when folding, it’s supposed to prevent those creases as it traps air.
Leave the bags in your case for next time.