Ironing is one big hassle for many. But we also can’t run away from it as it is an effective way to get rid of wrinkles from our clothes. So, it is a necessary household appliance that we can’t live without. With a clothes iron, we will also need an ironing board to go with it. Although there are tabletop ironing boards available, not everyone finds them practical due to their small size while the big ones are difficult to store. Therefore, another option is to look for a steam iron that doesn’t need an ironing board. Is there such a thing out there?
Well, yes! With technology and creativity, traditional appliances can be redesigned to be more practical and easy to use. The clothes iron is one such example. It has evolved from dry to steam iron and now, there are also plenty of steamers that don’t require an ironing board to erase wrinkles from your clothes. One iron-cum-steamer design that has emerged is featured below.
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Nori Press Iron & Steamer
The Nori Press Iron & Steamer works like a hair straightener. There are 2 metal hot plates on each side of the clamp. So, you just need to fill up the water tank, heat it up, and place your garment in between the plates and apply pressure as you drag it along. In effect, it is a steam iron that doesn’t need an ironing board because you are merely clamping the metal plates together whereas a traditional iron will require you to press it downwards onto a hard surface.
The advantage of this kind of design is that it is obviously a space-saver. For those who don’t have the space for a steam iron and an ironing board, the Nori Press Iron & Steamer is certainly a practical choice. Furthermore, an ironing board also costs money and the good quality ones do not come cheap.
Another positive aspect of it is the convenience. There is no need to take out an ironing board to do your ironing. It is a hassle especially if the board is large and heavy. So, the set up time is faster. With a hair straightener style of design, you just need to plug the iron steamer in and you are ready to go. Just like a foldable kettle that is designed for travel, the Nori Press Iron & Steamer is also small enough to fit into your luggage so that you don’t have to use the hotel iron.
The Cons Of A Steam Iron That Doesn’t Need An Ironing Board
While there are pros to a steam iron that doesn’t need an ironing board like the Nori Press Iron & Steamer above, it also has its cons. Because it is small, it also means the water tank has a very limited capacity. What this means is that it will run out of steam pretty fast. So, if you are using the steam function, it could probably only last you a single garment before you need to refill the tank.
In other words, if you have a lot of clothes to steam and iron, this is not going to cut it. It will be time-consuming having to keep refilling the tank. In that case, a normal steamer with a large water tank will be a better option if you are not keen on getting an ironing board.
However, do note that a steamer cannot replace a conventional iron and an ironing board and the same goes for the Nori Press Iron & Steamer. This arises if you are very particular about your ironing results. If you need your shirts and pants to have that crisp quality without faint creases visible, only a good quality steam iron can give you that kind of result.
This is because ironing the traditional way enables you to press down firmly on the garment which you can’t do with steaming. Moreover, the amount of steam and heat of a good quality iron are needed for professional standard results. Steamers are generally lacking in this regard.
Should You Buy The Nori Press?
Given the disadvantages above, should you still buy the Nori Press or similar steamers then? The answer is it depends. They are an alternative to ironing and it does work for some. If you just need it for touch-ups and ironing a piece of garment or two, this is good enough provided you are not too fussy about the results. It won’t be able to erase stubborn wrinkles easily and faint ones may still be visible. Some people will find this presentable but not others. So, it all boils down to individual preferences.
But a steam iron that doesn’t need an ironing board like Nori Press is easy to store and convenient. The same goes for combo steamer and iron models that come with a vertical ironing board. There will be trade-offs and it is a matter of what you are willing to sacrifice after taking into account your ironing load.
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