A Traveling Cloth Steamer and My Writing Life
I’m Lina Hart, a freelance writer. I don’t have a fixed office. Sometimes I write at my desk at home, sometimes in a café, and other times I’ll take my laptop and drafts to another city for a few days. People often think I’m “traveling,” but to me, it’s just changing my workplace.
The rhythm of a writer’s life can be unpredictable. An editor’s revision request might arrive at midnight, or right when I’m heading out for a book event. And since I frequently attend literary festivals, signing sessions, and workshops, I’m always packing in a hurry—laptop, notebooks, books, and of course clothes and props.
If it’s just a casual trip, I don’t mind throwing on a T-shirt and jeans. But when it comes to events, I can’t dress too casually. I need to look neat, sharp, and appropriate for the occasion. The problem is, no matter how carefully I fold my clothes into the suitcase, by the time I arrive, about 80% of them are wrinkled—especially shirts and light jackets.
I used to rely on hotel irons, but honestly—
1.Every hotel iron is different. Some are too heavy, some don’t heat properly, and some leave strange water stains on the fabric.
2.Some hotels don’t provide irons at all, or they charge extra for them.
3.My luggage is already heavy enough, and I really don’t want to carry a traditional iron around.
Everything changed one day when I borrowed a friend’s portable cloth steamer in her studio. That was the first time I saw a Nesugar travel cloth steamer. It was much smaller than I expected, with a clean, minimal look. My friend handed it to me and said: “Try it, it’s fast.”
I hung up a wrinkled white shirt, switched it on, and within 15 seconds steam was flowing. It felt like giving the fabric a gentle spa treatment—the wrinkles vanished instantly, and the fabric looked soft and alive again, not stiff or pressed flat.
Why a Cloth Steamer Became My Travel Essential
From then on, I bought my own portable cloth steamer. Now it’s part of my standard packing list, especially for book events. My usual outfits—long shirt dresses or draped blazers—wrinkle easily in a suitcase, and without a quick fix I’d look unprepared.
Once, at a book fair in Tokyo, I overslept and rushed to get dressed, only to find my sleeves badly wrinkled. Luckily, I had my Nesugar travel cloth steamer with me. I plugged it in, and in less than three minutes my outfit was smooth and fresh. That day, several visitors complimented me on how “put-together” I looked. Little did they know, half of that energy came from having crisp, wrinkle-free clothes.
As someone who often stays up late writing, I value light luggage. This steamer is compact and lightweight, so it doesn’t add any burden to my backpack. The water tank is small, but one refill is enough to steam an entire outfit. I’ve even used it once to smooth out a backdrop cloth for an event—better results than the hotel’s bulky iron.
A Cloth Steamer in My Daily Life
Even at home, I use it for photo shoots. As a writer, I sometimes need to prepare portraits or promotional images, and neat clothes and backgrounds always improve the final picture.
I especially love the sight of steam rising from fabric—it feels like I’m restoring something. Unlike a traditional iron, which requires constant pressing, a cloth steamer only needs a gentle pass over the fabric. Wrinkles simply melt away, and I can confidently use it on delicate fabrics like silk blouses or chiffon dresses.
Places My Cloth Steamer Has Been
Shanghai book fair: the hotel iron was outdated, so I used my cloth steamer to prepare my outfit.
Chiang Mai writing retreat: the hot, humid weather made clothes wrinkle quickly. My steamer kept me fresh every day.
Paris signing event: after a long-haul flight, my outfits were creased. The cloth steamer saved me just in time for photos.
Tokyo book exhibition: I used it backstage in a tiny corner, and in three minutes I was ready.
Whenever I pack, I always keep it in an easy-to-reach spot. Because I know the moment I open my suitcase, wrinkles will be waiting. And this is my fastest solution.
The Small Joys It Brings
For me, a cloth steamer represents a sense of control. In freelance life, there are so many unpredictable factors—editorial demands, shifting deadlines, sudden events. But at least, I can control my appearance and how I present myself.
Sometimes after a full day of writing, I’m exhausted but still need to meet a friend in the evening. I’ll quickly steam my outfit—even if it’s just a T-shirt and jeans. The difference in how I look and feel is striking. Small details like this make my life feel more ordered and textured.
In the End
As a writer, my job relies on creativity and expression. But the little tools I use in everyday life also shape my confidence and focus. The Nesugar travel cloth steamer may not be flashy, but it has added calm and confidence to every trip and every event.
When I stand in front of a crowd at a book fair in another city, people smile at me and talk about writing. Looking neat is just the first step, but real confidence shines from within. Still, a small, portable cloth steamer deserves a little credit for helping me show up as my best self.
