Travel steamer or travel iron?

Kim

I'm planning a long way in advance, but when I go to Australia next spring I'm going to have to pack light. We'll be staying in hotels, but I'm not sure they will all supply an iron, hairdryer, etc.

When travelling do you prefer a portable steamer or an iron? Brands? Most of my clothing is cotton or cotton blends for the summer so wrinkles are inevitable! LOL

And along those lines, any good non-wrinkle type clothing you'd recommend? I'm thinking I'd like to pick up a dress or two that won't need (much) ironing when it comes out of the suitcase after 22 hours of flight time....

Thanks!

14 years ago

General

8 replies

Latest reply was from MsMaven

Diana

Veteran

I don't have one but I vote for the steamer. I used to have a travel iron and it was terrible. It was very small so hard to iron evenly, and there was no heat control or steam option, so I was always afraid of burning stuff. Plus, if a hotel has no iron, I'll bet it has no ironing board either so you'll end up ironing on towels on the floor, which is not fun for one's back. For a steamer, all you need is water and somewhere to hang the garment up.

My go-to travel dresses are usually jersey dresses. In fact, I like to wear one on the plane. I pop on leggings for the flight, and if it's warm at my destination, I'll duck into the bathroom and take off the leggings, and the dress still looks great!

14 years ago

Nancy

Active Member

That depends on whether you can use tap water in the steamer! If not, I would go with the iron.

14 years ago

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

Make sure whatever you buy is dual voltage so you can actually use it in Australia (same with a hairdrier).

Most hotels I have stayed in do have an iron available. When you make your bookings I would just check with the hotel.

14 years ago

Lynne

Veteran

Kim, Australian hotels will normally have hairdryers and an iron, if not in the room then available from reception. I recommend you save the suitcase space for other things! Which part of Australia are you travelling to? When? Will you be near any YLFers?

14 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I think a steamer is much easier to use on the go. I have found that rolling clothes up rather than folding helps to alleviate a lot of wrinkling.

14 years ago

Kim

Veteran

Lynne,

Hubby and I are planning a trip somewhere around the March/April of 2012 to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, 30 years of being together, and both turning 50 too! (And we still speak to each other! LOL) So far Australia has won out in where we'd like to go, but until we book the plane tickets, who knows??

So far our plan is very loose, we think we might fly to Sydney, rest up for a few days, sight see a bit then rent a car and hit the road for the next 2 or 3 weeks, stopping for a few days here and there. We both like to travel by car so that might be fun for us. He'd like to go to the Great Barrier Reef and also along the coastline (number 1 highway?) to see things like the 12 Apostles and other sights. I think Ayers Rock is in his plans too...

And yes, we realize how big Australia is! LOL We won't possibly see it all, but then we'll just have to come back, won't we? I bet we get on that plane home totally exhausted and having had a great adventure!

14 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

I vote for a steamer at all times! I don't yet have a travel one to recommend, but steam's much faster, so you can spend more time enjoying your vacation.

14 years ago

MsMaven

Veteran

I used to haul a travel iron around but DH converted me to a steamer. It's lighter and easier to use, and uses tap water. We bought it at a travel store about 20 years ago and it's been all over the world with no problem. I do have to remind DH to empty it out before he puts it in the suitcase, though. (I always put it in a plastic bag anyway.)

14 years ago

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