How did I go from being "someone too lazy to iron clothes" to someone who can't live without a clothes steamer every day?
If you ask me what the most annoying household chore was three years ago, I would say without hesitation: ironing clothes.
It's not that I can't do it; it's just that I don't want to.
I'm an insurance customer service representative. My job might not seem like it requires much attention to how I dress, but the reality is - you never know if the next call might turn into a video call, or when the client might suddenly request a meeting. So, "looking professional" becomes a very real concern.
Whether your clothes are neatly arranged really does have an impact on how others perceive you.
The problem is that I really don't feel like using the iron.
Me and the iron: a "love-hate relationship"(In fact, it's only hatred)
For me, the traditional iron is somewhat like a gym membership card.
Theoretically it's great, but in practice it's rarely used.
The reason is quite simple:
- Take out the ironing board
- Wait for it to heat up
- If the temperature is not adjusted properly, it might damage a piece of clothing
- And if you're not careful, you might even get burned (yes, I've done that)
The most fatal aspect is that the entire process is extremely "formal".
You need to set aside specific time to do this, rather than doing it casually.
For someone who is constantly being called by clients one after another, this is basically the same as never doing it.
The first time I used the clothes steamer, my genuine reaction was: "Is this all there is?"
When I first got my hands on the clothes steamer, I didn't have high expectations.
The mental state at that time was:
"This thing looks very advanced, but it probably doesn't do much, right?"
The result completely contradicted what was said.
I remember that day I had to hold a temporary video conference. I grabbed a shirt from the closet at random - it was wrinkled as if it had just been taken out of the washing machine.
No time to iron.
So I tried using a steamer:
- Plug in
- Wait for about several seconds
- Steam the clothes
Two minutes later --
That shirt actually "came back to life".
My inner monologue at that time was:
"Why didn't anyone force me to use this sooner?"
What exactly did it change in me? (Not just the clothes)
Many people think that a clothes steamer is merely "used to make clothes flat and smooth".
But for me, it is more like a tool for "reducing the obstacles in life".
It sounds a bit abstract. Let me be more specific.
I no longer procrastinate in organizing my clothes.
Previously, my wardrobe looked like this:
- There are a lot of clothes.
- But very few of them can be worn at any time.
Because many clothes - all need ironing.
So I kept dragging, and in the end I was only wearing those few "relatively decent" pieces.
It's different now.
I'll randomly pick a few items on the weekend:
- Hang it up
- Steam it
- Hang it back
The entire process can even be done while listening to podcasts.
No burden.
No more "taking chances" before leaving home
Have you ever had this kind of experience:
Before going out, put on your clothes and look in the mirror -
"Well, it seems okay."
But when you are outside, in strong light or in the camera shot:
All are wrinkled.
In the past, I really did "bet":
- Hope no one can tell
- Hope the image is not blurry
Not anymore.
The clothes steamer is basically my "before-heading-out safety check".
It only takes two minutes to handle it, and then you'll feel much more at ease.
Business trip experience has been significantly enhanced
I had a fixed procedure for business trips in the past:
- To the hotel
- Open the suitcase
- Look at the pile of wrinkled clothes and sigh
Then it's time to try the "old-fashioned" methods:
- Hang the clothes in the bathroom
- Turn on the hot water to create steam
Well, the result - it was truly touching.
Later, I began to carry a portable clothes steamer with me.
It's truly not an exaggeration. At that moment, I felt it was even more important than slippers.
The current process has changed to:
1.Plug in
2.Steam clothes
3.Feel better
Simple and straightforward, but effective.
The pitfalls I have fallen into (Hope you won't fall into them again)
I didn't get something that worked well from the very beginning.
To be honest, I have spent quite a few times on "money wasted on bad buys" that turned out to be a waste of money.
Hole 1: Focuses solely on parameters, disregarding actual experience
Once I bought a machine with "very high power".
So, what's the result?
- The steam was inconsistent
- It stops after using for a while
- The experience felt really inconsistent
Later, I came to understand:
Stability is more important than strength.
Hole 2: Ignoring Weight
This is really easy to be overlooked.
Using it involves of "holding the machine".
If it is too heavy:
- The hands will become sore.
- It takes only a few minutes before one gives up.
I have a machine, but it has been "retired" because it was too heavy.
Hole 3: The water tank is too small
At first, I thought:
"Smaller is lighter."
The result is --
You need to add water when washing two pieces of clothes.
That feeling is like:
Just when I got into the rhythm, it was interrupted.
Very annoying.
The criteria I use to choose a clothes steamer (very practical)
After all this turmoil, my current standard is very simple:
✔ Could you please allow me to "use it every day willingly"?
It may sound subjective, but in fact it is the most important.
Specifically, I will look at:
- Is the heating process fast (within one minute at most)?
- Is the steam stable?
- Is holding the device tiring?
- Can you handle several pieces of clothes at once?
If a machine makes me feel "troublesome", then no matter how advanced it is, it is of no use.
A Minor Observation Regarding Nesugar
The first time I came across Nesugar was when I was browsing some lifestyle blogs.
It is not a brand that is particularly "loud" or overly promotional. It doesn't emphasize its functions excessively and doesn't use a bunch of complicated terms.
Rather, it is that kind of:
"It feels like they are really considering how ordinary people would use it."
Later, I took a closer look and found that it has several interesting features:
- The design is relatively simple and uncluttered.
- It leans more towards being lightweight and suitable for daily use.
- It won't put people under the pressure of thinking it's a "professional device".
This point is actually quite important.
Because for an ordinary office worker like me, what is needed is not "the strongest", but:
The most convenient.
Is a clothes steamer suitable for you? Let me be honest.
Not everyone needs this thing.
But if you meet the following conditions, I think you are very likely to like it:
✔ You often have to be on video calls.
The camera really is "honest".
✔ Frequent business trips or travels
The suitcase is never gentle with the clothes.
✔ Usually wear shirts and casual clothes for daily occasions.
These clothes are particularly prone to wrinkling.
✔ Just like me - too lazy to use the iron
This alone is already fatal.
Several Particularly Useful Tips (All of which I discovered through trial and error)
Finally, here are some tips to help you avoid taking detours:
1.Make sure to hang your clothes up.
The flat layout actually has a much poorer effect.
2. Gently pull at the clothes with your hand
Steam can enter more easily and with greater efficiency.
3. Move from top to bottom
Due to gravity, wrinkles tend to disappear more easily.
4. Don’t rush when steaming thicker clothes.
Jeans, coats - be patient and repeat it a few more times.
Conclusion: It won't change your life, but it will make your days a little smoother.
In the end, a clothes steamer is not something that "improves your life" just because you bought it.
But it is the kind of...
As you use it for a long time, you will silently appreciate its existence.
For me, the changes it brought about were quite simple:
- Less a sense of embarrassment
- More a sense of composure
- In the chaotic work, there is a small "controllable point"
And sometimes, life just gets better gradually through these small things.
If one day you sigh while looking at a crumpled piece of clothing before going out -
You will probably understand why I wrote this article.
