You can't imagine how a portable steamer quietly changed my chaotic daily life
I never thought of myself as someone who was particularly obsessed with details. But when you shuttle between cities, hotels and meeting rooms every day, details become the only thing you can control. And a crumpled shirt is one of those little things that drive me crazy.
I'm someone who's used to carrying life on my back, and the lighter the luggage, the better. But strangely enough, I'm very particular about my appearance in front of others. You can't control whether the plane is delayed or if the taxi driver gets lost, but you can always control whether the shirt you're wearing has any creases.
So I began to look for that tool that "wouldn't make me compromise". I tried traditional irons, which were as heavy as bricks; I also tried the small irons provided in hotel rooms, but their performance was so poor that I could have accused them of fraud; and there were those "high-tech" steam irons that hung on the wall. It wasn't until I took one on a business trip for the first time that I realized the voltage compatibility issue alone was enough to drive me crazy.
It wasn't until I met the portable steamer.
01 | The uncertainties of life are hidden in a shirt
I was in Los Angeles that day, having just landed at three in the morning. I had an important client meeting the next morning. I was wearing a cream-colored cotton and linen shirt, one of my favorites. But when I opened my suitcase, it was like a crumpled ball of paper, completely out of shape.
I stood in the hotel bathroom, trying to smooth it out with the bathroom steam. Ten minutes later, I had to accept the fact that it looked even worse.
I felt completely deflated in that moment. I didn't want to show up in front of the client as a tired and disheveled person. That sense of powerlessness, I still remember it now.
It was after that business trip that I began to seriously research: Is there a device that doesn't take up much space, is easy to operate, reliable in effect, and can go wherever I go? The answer is the portable steamer.
02 | What is a true portable steamer?
You might ask, "There are many 'portable steam irons' on the market now, aren't there?" But trust me, "portable" is not just about being small in size; it means much more —
It can be picked up at any time without the need for learning costs.
It doesn't matter what material the clothes are made of; cotton, linen, silk — all are handled with ease.
You can use it with peace of mind during your journey without worrying about voltage, water tank capacity, steam volume and other trivial matters.
Truly portable, not just claiming to be portable while actually causing endless troubles.
Later, I used three portable steamers of different brands. To be honest, the performance of two of them disappointed me. Either the heating was too slow or the steam was unstable. It wasn't until later that a friend recommended Nesugar on Instagram.
At first, I just gave it a try. But the result completely overturned my perception of "clothing ironing tools".
03 | Why the portable steamer is a must-have for me
Nowadays, I don't just use the portable steamer when I'm on business trips. Even at home, I hardly ever use a traditional iron anymore.
There are a few points that I particularly value:
A. Quick heating = efficiency
Sometimes you only have 8 minutes to get dressed, and you want your steamer to be hot and ready in under 60 seconds. The Nesugar portable steamer I often use basically starts working as soon as it's plugged in. It saves a lot of time.
B. The water tank is not a drawback
Many so-called portable steam irons sacrifice water tank capacity for a compact size. I particularly like the design of Nesugar. It doesn't take up much space, but the water tank is large enough to provide sufficient steam for me to handle two shirts and a dress. No need to pause mid-steam to refill, which keeps things flowing.
C. True 360-Degree Coverage
My old steamer only worked decently on big flat areas like T-shirts and skirts. But when it came to details like collars, cuffs, and trouser hems, it was helpless. The nozzle design of Nesugar has made me realize for the first time that a portable steamer can also have precise control.
04 | What "emergency situations" have I dealt with using a portable steamer?
Let me walk you through a few real-life moments. Only when you've used a portable steamer will you understand how life-saving it can be.
At the backstage of New York Fashion Week, a model's dress was so wrinkled that she couldn't go on stage.
That time, I was assisting a stylist. A silk dress for the finale show got damaged during transportation. There was no iron, not even a flat surface. We used a portable steamer to restore the dress on the spot. No joke—the designer himself said, "Thank God you had that thing with you."
I was doing a live stream from a hotel in Berlin. I couldn't afford to make any mistakes on camera
Ten minutes before the live stream, I noticed a huge crease on the back of the top I was wearing. I grabbed the portable steamer and rushed into the bathroom. It took me 90 seconds to fix it. When I watched the replay of the live stream later, I looked like I’d just stepped out of hair and makeup.
05 | Who is the portable steamer suitable for?
Honestly, I think everyone needs a portable steamer. But for the following types of people, it is simply a necessity:
Frequent travelers: No businessperson can tolerate the creases left by suitcases.
For those who strive for proper attire but are too lazy to iron: the portable steamer is far easier to operate than the traditional iron.
Photographers and videographers: Neatness of attire is essential on the set, and being ready to make adjustments at any time is crucial.
A minimalist home living enthusiast: I don't want to store bulky ironing equipment, I just want something compact, efficient, and hassle-free.
06 | Tips for Using a Portable Steamer
Here are some suggestions I've figured out that might be helpful to you:
Before using it, first hang the clothes on a hanger. This way, the ironing will be more efficient.
Keep the steam head about 1 to 2 inches from the fabric as much as possible to avoid the accumulation of water droplets.
For cotton and linen fabrics, you can slightly stretch the fabric before ironing for better results.
Remember to empty the water tank after use. That helps extend the life of your steamer.
07 | Why I Choose to Keep Using Nesugar
I rarely recommend brands, but Nesugar is one of the few tool-type products that I have repurchased for a long time.
The reason is not complicated:
From design to actual experience, every aspect truly takes into account the real daily needs of users.
And I have been using it for nearly a year, and it has never malfunctioned.
It's not showy, but it has solved my problems every time without fail.
Unlike some brands that claim to be "smart" and "multi-functional" but end up being just decorative, Nesugar quietly and consistently gets the job done, ensuring your clothes are always clean and well-taken care of. That's all that matters.
08 | The Philosophy of Life Behind a Portable Steamer
Many people say I'm too serious about these "little things in life". But I think that the more turbulent life is, the more we need some stable little details to give us the feeling that "I'm in control of something".
A portable steamer may sound like just a household item. But before every important occasion, it gives me a sense of ritual and confidence.
It’s not just about looking good—it gives me confidence from the inside out.
Conclusion | Don't Ignore It Anymore
Before you start paying attention to the condition of your clothes, a portable steamer might seem like a "nice-to-have" but not essential device. However, once you've experienced a few "embarrassing moments", you'll understand its value.
We live in a fast-paced era where we often can't control the big picture. But at least, we can control the condition of a shirt — starting with a portable steamer.
If you care about how you show up in every moment, then you should choose a decent tool carefully.
I've made my choice. How about you?
