A note on steam care for the clothing of a university lecturer

(Five minutes before the podium presentation, the emergency situation in the corridor, the actual operation in the office)

I have been a university lecturer for many years. The rhythm of my daily life is like this:
8 a.m. - First class → 12 noon - Group meeting → 3 p.m. - Grading homework → 6 p.m. - Teaching an elective course → Occasionally, I am blocked in the office by students who ask questions.

In this back-and-forth pace of life, clothes getting wrinkled is quite common:
The shirt gets a crease from the backpack strap, the coat has obvious wrinkles after sitting in the office for a long time, and the clothes in the suitcase are wrinkled like they have been kneaded when attending a meeting.

Over time, I developed a habit - there was always a handheld iron steamer in the office. It wasn't some "magical equipment", but rather a practical tool that could help me quickly regain my composure a few minutes before going on stage. Now, let me explain the "iron steamer method" I've summarized from my years of teaching experience in a more down-to-earth way.

 

Why am I, as a university lecturer, unable to do without an iron steamer?

Not because of vanity, but because —
The students' eyes are brighter than the projector.

Every time you step onto the podium, thirty pairs, fifty pairs, or even a hundred pairs of eyes are fixed on you. The external appearance of the lecturer can be easily magnified:
The collar of the shirt was slightly raised, and the students stared blankly at that area.
The shoulders of the suit are wrinkled, making the person look tired and lacking energy.
The hem of the skirt was wrinkled by the schoolbag, and even during class, she felt uncomfortable about it.

But I move around every day, so it's normal for my clothes to get wrinkled. Therefore, what I need is a quick, gentle and non-selective way of ironing.

An iron steamer precisely meets these three points:
No need for an ironing board. It can be used on the back of the office door.
It won't leave any bright marks like a traditional iron does.
Suits, shirts and dresses can all be processed.
A 10-second warm-up is suitable for scenarios like "five minutes before the class starts."

Especially during the middle of the semester, I usually give two or three classes a day, and it takes a long time for a piece of clothing to dry. The iron steamer is like a permanent member of my "teaching bag".

Real Teaching Daily: How Are Iron Steamers Used?

● Five Minutes Before Class

Most teachers should be well aware of this kind of moment:
The projector is set up, the handouts are placed, and the students are coming in one by one -
You look down and notice that the shirt has been pressed into a distinct crease by the seat belt.

I usually do it like this:
Hang the coat on the office door.
Turn on the iron steamer (it gets hot within just a few seconds).
Gently sweep over the shoulder line and the chest area.
Let the clothes air dry for half a minute.

When I rushed into the classroom in a hurry, the students couldn't tell at all that I had just "rescued" someone in the office.

● Three classes a day, and my coat got wrinkled.

After sitting for a long time, the back of the coat will sag, especially for soft shoulder coats.
I will turn the coat inside out and use the iron steamer on the inside first to loosen the lining. Then, I will turn it back to the front and gently brush it. This way, the coat can regain its shape and won't look tired.

● On a business trip to attend an academic conference

I carry my laptop bag, pull my luggage, hold the poster tube, and often fold my clothes in a mess.

The first thing I do when arriving at the hotel is not to rest, but to hang my clothes in the bathroom and use the iron steamer to perform a "revival ritual".

In conference settings, dressing neatly is not only polite but also helps me feel more confident.

● Take photos with the students for the final presentation

The students were all neatly dressed and posing for the photo. I couldn't possibly stand in the middle looking all wrinkled and disheveled.
The iron steamer has saved me more than once.

 

How did I deal with different types of clothes?

Shirts (the most commonly used)

Wear the least when attending class
The easiest to wrinkle
It is also the easiest to organize.

Operation method:
Starting from the neckline
The shoulder line and sleeves need to be traced slowly.
Be particularly careful with that area on your chest.
Finally, go through the entire thing from top to bottom.

In just three to five minutes, the shirt can transform from its "tired look after a class" to a "refreshed and energetic" state.

Suit jacket

University teachers often wear it, but they are also most afraid of creases and bright spots.
So an iron steamer is much safer than an iron.

My approach is:
First, use the iron steamer on the underside to allow the lining to loosen.
Then gently steam the front side with the iron steamer, making sure not to press it too tightly.
Don't press too hard on the shoulders and the neckline.

The suit will look more crisp and neat, as if it were just taken out of the closet.

Dress / Skirt

For lectures or important meetings, I will wear dresses.
If the skirt is wrinkled by sitting, I will grasp the bottom of the skirt and gently straighten it, then use the iron steamer to sweep it from top to bottom slowly.

T-shirts and sweaters

The clothes that these students see the most are actually quite prone to "falling apart" on the surface.
Just blow them with some steam from the iron steamer, and the clothes will look much more vibrant overall.

Which iron steamers are suitable for "Teacher's Daily Life"?

I have purchased portable, household, and small travel versions. Later, I summarized several key points that are suitable for lecturers:
The warm-up should be quick (preferably within 10-15 seconds; otherwise it will delay the class start).
The steam output from the iron steamer should be stable (when treating clothes, the steam should not be too strong or too weak).
It mustn't leak (It's really embarrassing if water drips on the clothes).
The weight should be light (It's already a lot to handle for one day, and I don't want my hands to get tired too).
Cleaning is simple (the teachers are busy, and machines that are too difficult to handle get abandoned).

For some of the travel models of the brands, I often carry them with me, while the household models have stronger iron steamer power and I use them in the office or at home.

Among the Nesugar series I have used, there are also lightweight travel models and household models with stronger iron steamer power, which can meet the needs of different situations.

Tips for Iron Steaming

Securing the clothes properly is half the battle won.
The back of the office door is like a natural ironing board.
Make sure to let the clothes cool down.
Wearing them immediately after using the iron steamer will cause them to become wrinkled again.
Test a small piece of the expensive fabric first.
Silk and wool require extra care.
Using the iron steamer from top to bottom is never wrong.
Following the natural gravity and allowing the fabric to hang down smoothly, the clothes will be more neat.
Don't press the clothes too closely with the iron steamer.
Don't bunch the clothes up too tightly. It's both safe and less likely to trap water droplets.

All of these were ultimately derived after going through countless "anxiety moments before class".

How to maintain an iron steamer?

As a lecturer, I use it several times a day. If not maintained properly, it will soon break down.

I usually do it like this:
After use, pour out the water and don't leave it in the water tank.
Descale the iron steamer every two or three weeks.
Clean the nozzle promptly if it gets clogged.
If it won't be used for a long time, make sure to let it dry completely.

Proper maintenance will make it last longer than you might think.

A Little Story

One year during the open house, I had to introduce my major and also had to be photographed by the media.

When I arrived in the morning, my coat was badly creased by the seat belt.
At that time, there were only ten minutes left before the event started. I hung my coat on the door of the office bookcase, while looking at the process list on my phone and using the iron steamer to "revive" my coat.

Two minutes later, the coat looked brand new.
The photographer later said, "You look particularly energetic today."
I smiled and didn't tell him that behind me was actually a small, unremarkable iron steamer.

Finally, I would like to say one more thing.

As a university lecturer, I interact with students, colleagues and attend meetings every day. Whether my clothes are neatly arranged may seem like a trivial matter, but it actually affects my professional image, confidence level, and even the classroom atmosphere. Iron steamer care is not about being "fussy", but rather about helping me be more composed in the busy teaching routine.