Are you tired of unpacking creased clothes after a long journey? Do you want to look sharp and presentable without spending ages ironing in your hotel room? If so, welcome to the world of Travel Steam Irons! For years, I’ve relied on these fantastic gadgets, not just because ironing isn’t my forte, but because they are incredibly convenient, especially when you’re travelling. Initially, my steamer was just for quick touch-ups at home, but I quickly realized its potential as the perfect travel companion. Let me share why a travel steam iron could be a game-changer for your next trip and which ones I rate as the best.
What is a Travel Steam Iron?
Imagine a device that combines the ease of a kettle with the wrinkle-removing power of an iron – that’s essentially a travel steam iron. These compact appliances work by heating water to create steam, which you then apply to your clothes to gently relax the fibers and eliminate creases. Think of it like giving your garments a refreshing steam shower, but much more targeted and effective. If you’ve ever tried hanging wrinkled clothes in a steamy bathroom, you’re familiar with the basic principle, but a travel steamer takes it to another level by directing and pressing the steam directly onto the fabric while you smooth it out.
Creased denim shirt
Denim shirt after steaming
Steaming this denim shirt took me just 3-4 minutes. With a rapid heat-up time of under a minute, my travel steamer gets the job done in less than 5 minutes total – and I find it so much simpler than traditional ironing!
How to Use a Garment Steamer for Travel?
Using a garment steamer is straightforward, even for beginners. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to get you started:
- Hang Your Garment: Use a clothes hanger to suspend the item you want to steam. Choose a well-ventilated area for this.
- Ventilation is Key: Steamers produce a surprising amount of steam! Whenever possible, steam your clothes near an open window or in a bathroom with an extractor fan. Bathrooms are ideal at home, but hotel bathrooms might not always have conveniently placed power outlets.
- Safety First: Never use your travel steamer close to a smoke detector, as the steam can trigger false alarms.
- Steaming Technique: Gently run the garment steamer up and down the fabric, similar to how you would use an iron.
- Smooth and Taut: As you steam, use your free hand to gently pull the fabric taut. This helps to smooth out wrinkles and allows the steam to penetrate effectively. Avoid over-stretching delicate materials.
- Tackle Creases: For light wrinkles from packing, a quick once-over will often suffice. For deeper creases, keep the steamer moving over the area until they disappear.
- Drying Time: Clothes might feel slightly damp after steaming, especially after prolonged steaming for stubborn wrinkles. This dampness evaporates quickly, usually within 5 minutes. I often steam my outfits before doing my hair and makeup, allowing them to air dry naturally.
How do you use a garment steamer
While travel steamers are excellent for de-wrinkling, they are not ideal for creating sharp creases or pleats like those needed in tailored trousers or crisp shirt sleeves. If you require perfectly pressed formal wear, a traditional iron might still be necessary. However, for everyday clothing and removing general wrinkles, a steamer is perfect.
Travel Steamer vs. Travel Iron: Which is Better?
For travel, I personally lean towards a steamer for its sheer convenience and ease of use. Here’s a comparison of the benefits of a clothes steamer over a travel iron:
- Space-Saving: Steamers require minimal space to operate. You don’t need a bulky ironing board.
- No Ironing Board Needed: Forget searching for or requesting an ironing board – simply hang your garment and steam.
- Effectiveness: A quality, lightweight travel steamer can be more effective than a basic, inexpensive travel iron, especially at removing wrinkles quickly.
- Fabric Friendly: Steamers are gentle on all fabrics and eliminate the risk of burning, making them ideal for delicate materials like silk or lace.
- Intricate Garments: Steamers excel at handling garments with ruffles, frills, or complex designs that are notoriously difficult to iron.
Of course, a high-quality iron delivers superior crispness if you prioritize perfectly pressed clothes and don’t mind the extra luggage and effort. And if your accommodation provides a good iron and ironing board, that might be a viable option. However, for everyday travel and ease of use, I find myself reaching for my steamer far more often than an iron.
My trusty steamer
Cordless Travel Steamers: Myth or Reality?
If you’re searching for a completely cordless travel steamer, you might be disappointed. Despite some misleading marketing images that photoshop cords out, truly cordless steamers are not readily available, particularly in regions like the UK. Many are marketed as ‘handheld’, which is true in terms of size, but they still require a power cord. While the idea of cordless convenience is appealing, current travel steam iron technology largely relies on corded models for consistent power and steam output.
Should I get a steam iron
Despite the cord, I’m still very happy with the wrinkle-free results from my steamed denim shirt!
Can You Bring a Travel Steamer on a Cruise?
A common concern for cruise travelers is clothing care. While regular travel irons are typically prohibited on cruise ships due to safety regulations, travel steamers are generally permitted. I’ve personally taken my travel steamer on multiple cruises without any issues. Cruise ship staff have neither confiscated nor questioned my steamer, even when left in plain sight. It’s always wise to use your steamer in the bathroom or near a window in your cabin, just as you would on land.
Should you travel with a steamer
My travel steamer is always in my luggage for cruises and other trips!
Top Travel Steam Iron Recommendations
Let’s cut to the chase – you’re probably wondering which travel steamers are worth considering. Instead of overwhelming you with countless options, I’ve narrowed it down to two excellent choices that cater to different needs and budgets:
- The Best Budget Travel Steam Iron
- The Best Overall Travel Steam Iron
1. The Best Budget Travel Steam Iron
For the best value and performance, the Hilife Clothes Steamer is my top recommendation. It’s also a bestseller on Amazon, boasting overwhelmingly positive reviews. This steamer is lightweight, genuinely travel-friendly, and holds a generous 240ml of water, enough to steam a complete outfit without refills. It features automatic shut-off when the water runs out and a long power cord, which is a lifesaver in hotel rooms where outlets can be inconveniently located.
Hilife Clothes Steamer, Portable Handheld Garment Steamer for Home and Travel, Fast Wrinkle Removal…
- [Easy to Use] Generates strong, consistent steam with a 9-foot power cord for flexible use.
- [Compact and Portable] Lightweight and compact, ideal for travel and fits easily into luggage.
- [Large Tank] 240ml water capacity provides up to 15 minutes of continuous steaming.
2. The Best Overall Travel Steam Iron
If you’re looking for a step up in power and features, the Tefal Access Steam+ is the best travel steam iron on the market. Operating at 1600W, it’s significantly more powerful than many travel steamers, resulting in faster and more effective wrinkle removal. It includes a 3-meter cord and a range of useful accessories: a door hook, fabric brush, pleat attachment, steam bonnet, and a travel bag for storage. While it offers two steam settings (delicate and turbo), I find the turbo setting is generally sufficient for most fabrics. The included door hook is particularly handy for creating a convenient steaming station anywhere.
Tefal Access Steam+ Handheld Clothes Steamer, 1600 W, Black and Silver, DT8150, 115 x 145 x 275mm
- 140°C heated soleplate with ceramic coating for enhanced results on various fabrics.
- Ready in 40 seconds, 1600W power, and 26g/min steam for quick wrinkle removal and sanitizing.
- 0.2L removable water tank, locking trigger, 3m cord, and stable base for ease of use.
Do You Need a Door Hook for Travel Steaming?
If you opt for the more budget-friendly Hilife steamer, I highly recommend investing in a door hook separately. A door hook makes steaming significantly easier by providing a convenient place to hang your garments. Steaming is most effective when you can use both hands – one to keep the fabric taut and the other to operate the steamer. While you can’t hang clothes directly in a wardrobe, a portable over-the-door hook creates an instant steaming station in your hotel room, near a power outlet and ideally in a ventilated area. Search on Amazon for a ‘single over the door hook’ to find affordable and practical options.
Is a Travel Steam Iron Worth It?
In my experience, absolutely! I wouldn’t travel without my steam iron, especially on trips where I’m checking luggage. Even when accommodations provide an iron, I still prefer my steamer for its speed and convenience. Setting up an ironing board in a cramped hotel room can be cumbersome. While I’m diligent about rolling clothes to minimize wrinkles, some creases are inevitable. A travel steam iron ensures I always look put-together, no matter where my travels take me.
If you have any more questions about travelling with a travel steam iron, drop them in the comments below, and I’ll be happy to help!
