Steamer vs. Iron: What's the Difference?

Both a steamer and an iron remove wrinkles from clothing and household linens, however, each appliance has its own specific benefits.

While a standard iron allows you to regulate the temperature depending on the material you are ironing, a steamer can often be faster to use and bring around.

If you're wondering what materials and types of garments each of the appliances are best suited for, which of the two you would get more use out of, and what the main differences between the two are, keep reading for a detailed guide to irons and steamers.

When to Choose a Steamer

A handheld plug-in steamer is an excellent choice for getting wrinkles out quickly and easily. This type of steamer ranges in price, typically costing anywhere from $30 to $100. It has an internal compartment that you fill with water which heats up to produce steam and remove wrinkles, delivering approximately 15 minutes of continual steam.

Because a steamer doesn't actually come into direct contact with the shirt or curtain panels you are using it on, there is less of a risk of the materials being burned or damaged. This makes it a suitable choice for more delicate and thinner fabrics.

A handheld steamer is the better appliance when you need to quickly freshen up everyday garments, bedroom items such as a bed skirt, or hanging curtain panels.

This appliance is worth the investment if you are going to regularly be steaming formal gowns, upholstery, and window treatments. Unlike a small handheld steamer, this industrial version of the appliance features a telescoping pole so you can reach the tops of curtain panels without having to stand on a ladder.

There are some fabrics, such as velvet, that sustain wrinkles but can't be ironed because direct contact with heat would crush them. That's when a steamer is a great alternative.

When to Choose an Iron

Irons range in sophistication and price point, but a standard iron features a built-in steam feature and a control dial that allows you to change the temperature depending on the type of fabric you are ironing.

Unlike a steamer, an iron requires the support of a flat surface beneath it, whether that's a mini tabletop board for small items, a sleeve board for dress shirt sleeves, or a freestanding ironing board for clothing and household items such as curtain panels or pillowcases.

Because of its pointed shape and the fact that it comes into direct contact with fabric, use an iron if you want to get a crisp press on garments. Use it to achieve crisp edges on dress pants or pleated skirts, as well as various household items like pleated curtains. An iron will also give you more control than a steamer, so you can directly choose the area you are targeting with heat.

Differences Between a Steamer and an Iron

It's important to pay attention to care instructions on your clothing and household textiles, as that will determine whether you should use a steamer or an iron. The main differences between a steamer and an iron are in the types of fabrics they can be used for, the final finish they produce, and their method of use.

Use a steamer for more delicate fabrics that would burn or be crushed under the weight of direct contact with an iron. As the water inside a steamer heats up, it releases a vapor that targets wrinkles and removes them without pressing down on the fabric. It's also a quick and easy way to refresh clothing when you don't feel like pulling out an iron and setting up the ironing board.

Another difference between a steamer and an iron is that you can steam garments without removing them from their position, as there is no board needed. For example, you can steam a curtain panel while it hangs from a curtain rod or get wrinkles out of a quilt while it's on a bed. A handheld steamer is a good investment because of its versatile use—you can use it at home, but can also easily pack the portable electric appliance in your suitcase so that you can get wrinkles out of clothes while you're away traveling.

However, an iron provides precision and control. Unlike a steamer, it distributes heat to a targeted area and it comes into direct contact with fabrics. Its pointed shape allows you to get into small nooks like those under and around pleats, and its weight delivers a nice press so that you can create sharp folds and crisp edges that you would never be able to achieve with a steamer.

Choose an iron for thicker, less delicate materials such as thick cotton or denim. They can withstand the pressure and direct contact of an iron, and in fact benefit from it, as wrinkles are released faster and more effectively.

Be careful to read labels and make sure that fabrics are suitable for ironing, then select the correct temperature on your iron so as not to burn or melt the fabric. It's also important to take good care of an ironing board in order to provide a clean, smooth, and padded surface for ironing. Remove any pills or fuzz leftover from ironed textiles using a lint roller and store the board by either hanging it up or standing it up against a wall in a cool, dry place.

If you notice the padding and cover are starting to sag and the hard metal frame of the board can be noticed and felt through it, it's time to replace both the padding and the cover. The general rule of thumb is that an ironing board cover should last for up to three years before needing to be replaced.