One thing I realized after three moves? A portable clothes steamer totally changed how I live day to day.
I have to admit that I'm the kind of person who tries to fit my whole life into a 20-inch carry-on suitcase when packing my luggage. Especially when I still have to attend friends' weddings, client meetings and travel photo shoots, the wrinkling of my clothes is simply driving me crazy. Every time I stand in front of the mirror with a wrinkled dress, I think: Why are hotel irons always either broken or missing? It's heavy, old and unusable.
It was not until later that a friend came back from Asia, bringing a small portable steam engine for clothing. At first, I was a little sneer, "Can such a small thing be ironed flat?"
As a result, it was completely slapped in the face.
portable steamer for clothes, the most underestimated gadget on the go
Do you know what the last thing I want to do is? After opening the suitcase, I found that my only white shirt was wrinkled into a ball. So I decided on the spot that either I would learn to fold clothes (which is never gonna happen), or I would find a truly lightweight ironing tool that could be taken on a plane and didn't take up much space.
I have searched for portable steamer for clothes no less than twenty times. I read the reviews, the user shares on Reddit, and also browsed Instagram and Pinterest. Eventually, I found that portable steam engines really have two extremes: either they look high-end but simply can't be smoothed out; Either it can be ironed but is as big as a printer.
Then I came across the one called Nesugar G9.
The key equipment for carrying a bag and traveling the world
My first trial was during the week when I was on a business trip in San Francisco. The iron in the hotel didn't work again. With a “well, can’t hurt to try” mindset, I hung up that wrinkled suit jacket and turned on the steam engine. Amazingly, after just 30 seconds of preheating, it began to spray very steady steam.
The clothes really became flat in front of me.
At that moment, I felt like I’d just unlocked a life hack for looking put-together. Not everyone needs to look good when traveling, but if you have ever ironed clothes urgently for a late meeting, or if you, like me, often shuttle between different cities, you know the sense of security this machine brings.
I like several points of it:
It's really light
It can be put in a carry-on bag. Compared with traditional irons that often weigh several pounds, this portable design is a total game-changer for me.
Quick startup, preheating only takes 18 seconds
For someone like me who always notices that my clothes are wrinkled in the last five minutes, time is life.
It has a large amount of steam and does not drip water
Many portable steam engines are prone to "leakage", with a puddle of water under the steam nozzle, which is very embarrassing. But this design clearly takes into account the balance between dry and wet, and even silk shirts can be used with confidence.
2-in-1 garment smoothing method
Hanging type, flat ironing type. In other words, it can iron whether you have an ironing board or not. When I was taking photos and camping in the wild, I actually used it to iron my shawl. The photos I took were simply amazing.
Is the steam engine really only used during travel?
In fact, that's not the case. Since I started using portable steamer, I simply put away my traditional iron. The space at home is not large to begin with. Placing a small steam engine in the drawer for immediate use is actually more convenient.
Especially when you go on a date at the last minute and find that the perfect little black dress has pleated? Just 3 minutes of ironing, and your image will instantly improve.
For instance, in winter, thick coats can never be put into an iron for processing, but once they are sprayed with steam, they instantly look fresh and crisp again. These small details of life really enhance one's sense of happiness.
The usage tips I recommend
When used with a clothes hanger: No matter where it is, hanging it up before steaming always works best.
Layer-by-layer ironing makes it smoother: I often spray steam once first, then slightly flatten it, and then treat the wrinkles layer by layer starting from the edges.
Remember to check the label when choosing fabric: While portable steamer is much safer than an iron, be careful of steam temperature for coated nylon and some synthetic fabrics.
Why am I no longer anxious before going on a business trip now?
I used to be really anxious about what to wear when going out and whether the clothes would wrinkle. Especially in occasions with a strong sense of occasion, such as client meetings, photo shoots, or weddings. But now, I know that even if I decide to change my clothes on the spur of the moment, I can quickly tidy up properly.
I’m not someone who likes hauling a bunch of luggage, or messing with fancy gadgets. But I find that a small, reliable, truly problem-solving portable steamer is part of my mature life.
Who cares about the brand story? I know you might be thinking, "Who on earth made this machine?" Actually, I was a bit curious too, so I took a look later and found out it was a brand called Nesugar. I haven't heard of it. But to be honest, who cares about names? I only care whether it solves the troubles in my real life.
And it did achieve it.