Are Traditional Irons No Longer Cool? Experts Weigh In

Once essential, traditional irons are now burrowed in the pile of things people rarely ever reach for. Many young adults don’t even own one, to begin with. As they say, there’s always something better to do than spend your free time ironing. 

Some have resorted to finding less tedious ways to get their clothes less wrinkly. Others don’t care all that much about wearing wrinkled clothes.

Regardless, there’s a new (not-so-new) de-wrinkling device in town: clothes steamers. 

The million-dollar question: are they worth it? We asked three cleaning experts for their thoughts on the alternatives to traditional irons. Here’s what they had to say.

Why People No Longer Iron

From what we’ve gathered, most Millennials and Gen Zs just can’t be bothered to iron their clothes. There’s the hassle of lugging out the ironing board, waiting for the iron to heat up, and spending hours straightening clothes only for them to be crumpled after putting them on.

Using a regular iron also requires a bit more muscle, especially if you have stubborn wrinkles or heavier fabrics, Rhonda Wilson, quality lead cleaner at FreshSpace Cleaning, adds to the list.

Coupled with the rise of non-iron clothes and the wrinkle-release setting on modern dryers, the need for traditional ironing is slim to none. For younger generations, at least. 

Still, there are cases where having a traditional iron on hand can be very useful—e.g. when you want to achieve that perfect crisp look on formal attire, states Alicia Sokolowski, president and co-CEO of AspenClean.

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Get Yourself a Steamer Instead

Obviously, looking put together is still important in many situations. Not everyone wants to (or can) turn up to work in a creased shirt. You also wouldn’t want to arrive at a fancy event in a wrinkled dress.

Fortunately, steamers make the whole process of turning an unpresentable outfit into a presentable one less of a workout.

“I have to say, I was intrigued when the new-gen steam irons came out, and I’m glad I gave in and tried them,” Wilson says. “With a steam iron’s steam power, things get a bit easier.” While it still requires effort, you can just hang your shirt and glide the steam iron. 

On top of that, steam irons are compact and don’t require ironing boards. “You can stash them in small spaces, even in drawers,” Wilson notes. 

But the benefits don’t end there. Sokolowski adds that steamers are more gentle on fabric, reduce the risk of burning, are ready to use within a minute or two, and can be used on a variety of household items, including curtains, upholstery, bedding, and even plush toys.

Are Steamers Really That Good, Though?

Garment steamers clearly offer heaps of benefits, but there’s a catch (or three), according to these cleaning experts.   

For one, you’ve got a water tank to deal with.

“Just like filling up a water bottle, you’ll need to keep the tank topped up, especially if you’re doing a lot of ironing,” Wilson says. “It’s a bit more expensive and needs more upkeep, though, because of the steam bit.”

Additionally, steamers lack the precision of irons. “It’s difficult to create sharp creases or press details like cuffs or collars with steamers,” Sokolowski notes. 

You also have to consider its effectiveness on heavy fabric. “Steamers may struggle with heavy fabrics like wool or denim,” Sokolowski says. “While steamers will still refresh and soften these fabrics, they may not remove deep wrinkles as effectively as the firm pressure of iron may.”

Other Ways to Get Your Clothes Less Wrinkly

Steamers and traditional irons aside, there are plenty of other ways to reduce wrinkles on your clothes. 

Hyacinth Tucker, aka the Laundry Lady and founder of The Laundry Basket, LLC, let us in on her go-to options:

• Use a flat iron for getting wrinkles out of shirt collars and cuffs. It’s not just for hair styling anymore, she assures.
• Need a quick fix for wrinkles? You can use a hair dryer to blow warm air over your clothes. 
• Hanging your clothes in a steamy bathroom while you shower can help release stubborn wrinkles, especially for thin fabrics like silk and chiffon.
• Or, throw your clothes in a dryer with a quick spray of water to remove wrinkles, then finish hems and cuffs with hair straighteners.
• Tucker also suggests making your own wrinkle-release spray using white vinegar, fabric softener, water, and essential oils, which can be a budget-friendly alternative to store-bought sprays.