24 Feb 2026
8 min.

Iron or steam?

A guide to finding your smoothest routine

Not sure whether to iron or steam? Both have their strengths: ironing gives crisp, defined results, steaming is quick and gentle. The trick is knowing which method works best for each garment — read on to make your routine easier.

Ironing: for sharp, polished results

An iron is still the go-to for structured pieces and defined creases — shirts, trousers, table linen. It’s great when you want a crisp finish. More good news: ironing burns more than 100 calories an hour. And keeping your laundry basket low means you stretch and bend more — a hidden workout! Avoid shine and burn marks by adjusting the heat and keeping the iron moving.

Helpful tips for ironing

Want better results with less effort? A few smart ironing habits can go a long way:

Start with low-heat items

Begin with synthetics or delicate fabrics. That way, you won’t have to wait for your iron to cool down between items.

Protective cloth

Place a clean cloth between the iron and delicate fabrics like silk or printed t-shirts to avoid damage or shine.

Use a snug-fitting board cover

A tight cover ensures your garments stay smooth and in place while ironing. Looseness creates more creases than it removes.

Need the perfect fit? - ironing cover selector tool | Brabantia

Choose the right ironing board

If ironing is part of your weekly routine, a well-designed board makes a big difference — the right board helps you get better, faster results. Look for:

a steam-permeable cover, to prevent dampness underneath

a stable surface, so nothing wobbles while pressing

adjustable height, for comfortable use whether you’re sitting or standing

enough length and width to support shirts, dresses and larger items

Ironing Board C 124 x 45 cm, for Steam Generator - New Dawn, Fairtrade cotton
£146.00
Ironing Board C 124 x 45 cm, for Steam Iron - Metallised, Fairtrade cotton
£122.00
Ironing Board A 110 x 30 cm, for Steam Iron - Denim Grey, Fairtrade cotton
£79.00
Ironing Board D 135 x 45 cm, for Steam Iron & Generator -Titan Oval, Fairtrade cotton
£139.00

Steaming: light, fast and fabric-friendly

Steamers are ideal for quick refreshes and delicate materials. A lightly creased blouse? A linen dress that’s lost its shape a little? A steamer smooths things out gently, without the risk of shiny marks. On the other hand: it does not work too well on deep creases or thick fabrics. And you can’t make defined creases with it, so trousers or crisp shirts may still need an iron

Helpful tips for steaming

Steaming can be quick and easy — especially when done correctly:

Use distilled or demineralised water

This prevents limescale build-up and avoids water stains from minerals in tap water.

Let it dry before wearing

After steaming, give the garment time to dry and cool to keep its shape.

Know when not to steam

Heavy fabrics like denim, or items that need creases, are better off ironed.

Use a board

Even when steaming, a board can come in handy — especially for tricky garments.

Use the board as a support behind the fabric, so you can gently press with the steamer

Hang items off the side or over the top for a more controlled shape

Place freshly steamed clothes on the board to cool down crease-free

So which one should you use?

It depends on the moment:

Iron when you want crisp, defined results

Steam when you’re in a hurry or working with delicate fabrics

Use both if you want flexibility for different outfits and materials

Smooth clothes, your way

Smooth clothes, your way. Iron, steam, or combine both — the right setup makes your routine easier. Our Duo Board, designed for both ironing and steaming on one surface, helps you get crisp, crease-free results with minimal effort. Pair it with our HangOn systems, which let you hang garments while steaming or airing out freshly smoothed clothes. Which one will you try first?

Feature / Use case	Ironing	Steaming
Best for	Sharp creases, structured fabrics	Delicates, quick refreshes
Time needed	Slower, more precise	Faster, less effort
Fabric types	All fabrics, especially thick ones	Light to medium fabrics
Crease removal	Strong, defined	Gentle, surface-level
Can cause shine?	Yes, on synthetics if too hot	No (if used correctly)
Portable?	Less portable	Often compact and travel-friendly
Risks	Burns, shine, scorching	Water stains, steam burns
Requires surface/board?	Yes, always	No, but support helps
Can create creases?	Yes	No — cannot shape folds
Maintenance	Clean soleplate occasionally	Use distilled water to prevent scale

laundry & ironing