Picture this: your life-long crush finally asked you out on a dinner date! It’s the night of, and your hair and makeup look flawless. You know you’re going to be turning heads tonight. Now, the only thing you need to do is pick an outfit.
You’re standing in your closet looking for the perfect ensemble and….AHA! You decide to wear that sexy silk dress you bought online a few months back. You begin digging through your closet to find it when . . . Oh no.
The dress is wrinkle-city! You have to leave in 10 minutes and there’s no way you can use a regular iron. What are you supposed to do?
There’s only one correct answer in this hypothetical (yet totally realistic) scenario: grab the steamer! In case you ever find yourself in a similar situation, there’s no need to panic. Here is an easy-to-follow guide on how to use a steamer.
Steamers can either knock out the wrinkles in your clothes or wreak havoc on the garment, depending on the fabric at hand. These fabrics should not be steamed (unless you want them to melt):
Fabrics such as cotton, wool, polyester, and silk are OK to be steamed. If you’re unsure, do a test patch on the garment to make sure the process will go smoothly.
Preparing your steamer is actually a very important step. Before plugging it in, make sure the water reservoir is appropriately filled. Also, make sure the covering is shut tight; the last thing you want is to have the water spill onto your clothes!
Plug the steamer in, and let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes. That way, it can produce a steady, reliable stream of vapor before you begin using it.
Familiarize yourself with the steaming trigger/button. You want full control of where the steam ends up.
The best way to steam a garment is by hanging it upright. If you don’t have a hanging pole, then a doorknob or chair will suffice.
Begin steaming your garment in downward strokes. Do not hold the steamer too close to the garment or directly press the steamer against the garment.
Keep about an inch or two of space in between the garment and steamer, and remember to press the steam button occasionally (or with each stroke) for an even steam job.
Your garment may be damp after you finish. Allow it to hang dry and cool off for a few minutes before you wear it.
Don’t let wrinkles cramp your style. Using an iron isn’t always the way to go – learning how to use a steamer will be a life-saver in a time crunch. These easy steps will have you knocking out wrinkles like a pro in no time!
Hopefully, this guide prepares you for all your future fashion emergencies. Want more? Check out our recent articles about How to Wear a Cardigan and How to Clean White Converse!
This post was last modified on %s = human-readable time difference 11:10 pm