A steam iron press looks like your typical ironing board but has a lid with a handle on it. This is your ironing surface, and the press acts like a giant handheld iron. These are a staple in every dry cleaner’s, and now they are available for your home. Typically a dry cleaner will have hundreds of pairs of pants to press, for example. Using a steam iron press saves enormous amounts of time, as you can fit one whole pant leg on the press at once, and simply close the lid. Instant pressed pants in seconds.
Safety features with these steam presses depend on the manufacturer, but all of them will include your basic shut-off after a certain amount of time. This includes shutting down if the lid is left open, or closed. Another safety feature to look for would be a locking lid to prevent children from burning themselves on a hot press.
You can find a steam iron press with electronic heating as well, these units will save you a little money because they use a heating pad instead of water and steam. Many of these will have a steam spray that is sometimes adjustable, but always necessary especially if your ironing surface is just an electronic heat pad.
Pricing can range from around $100 to well over $300. This depends on the size of the unit, whether or not it includes a stand, and if the unit uses steam or an electronic pad.
Do you already iron everything in your home? Some of these units are excellent and can replace your handheld garment iron immediately, whereas other units may only be good enough to dopants and other easy-to-iron items. Keep in mind that a steam iron press will not necessarily make your clothes easier to iron – but it makes ironing easier because it will save you time.
If you find yourself taking dress shirts and pants to the dry cleaners to be professionally pressed for $3-8 a piece, you can immediately see the savings right away. In one week you wear on average, 5 dress shirts and 5 pairs of dress pants. That’s $30-$80 per WEEK if you get them pressed after each time you wear them. Learn how to press these items yourself and save hundreds of dollars a month.