As an interior designer, why am I so particular about a portable steamer? - My in-depth experience with the G6 Pro
I have been engaged in interior design for many years, ranging from the interior decoration of luxury houses to the inspection of model homes, and even dealing with various materials of fabrics and finishes every day. I've come to believe that the look and feel of a room often depend on how the fabrics are presented.
It may sound extreme, but it's true. Can you imagine me, before the delivery of a project with a budget of several million dollars, standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling curtains, my face scrunching up in anger because of a crumpled fabric? At that moment, I realized that even if the walls were painted perfectly and the furniture was of the highest quality, as long as the fabric fell apart, the entire space would look as if the room had been neglected.
This is why the items that appear in my toolkit are often not the high-tech devices one might expect, but rather a compact portable steamer I can carry in one hand.
The steamer I use most often, and will describe in detail, is: Nesugar G6 Pro Portable Steamer (compatible with global voltages ranging from 100 to 240V).
As a designer, what do I care about in a portable steamer?
I know that most people buy portable steamers for their clothes. But for me, its functions go far beyond that -
- The sofa cover always gets wrinkled several times before it is delivered to the shooting site.
- After washing, the pillowcase will always have some frayed edges.
- Take the fabric samples with you on the trip. The wrinkles just won't stop no matter how much you fold them.
- No matter how well the curtains are installed, someone will still find it impossible to resist pulling them - and as a result, there will be handprints and creases left behind.
- During the soft furnishings inspection, even the slightest crease will be magnified tenfold under the camera lens.
In other words, what I need is not just something that can "flatten the clothes", but rather:
Light
I need to carry it around all day long in different types of houses, so weight is more important than performance.
The Nesugar G6 Pro weighs only about 0.8 pounds, which is roughly equivalent to the weight of a 350 mL bottle of water. When I carry it up and down between the two floors of the model house, my wrist doesn't complain at all.
Fast
As a designer, I often only have a ten-minute window to save the situation - the photographer is waiting outside.
The G6 Pro heats up in about 15 seconds, so I can start using it almost immediately after plugging it in.
Worldwide voltage compatibility
I spend one-third of the year traveling between different cities, and sometimes I also have to go on business trips abroad.
The G6 Pro supports voltages ranging from 100 to 240V across the globe, which means I no longer need to carry a bulky transformer and don't have to worry about damaging the device when plugging into unfamiliar sockets.
The steam output is consistent and it doesn't spit water.
I handle various types of fabrics, ranging from silk curtains to wool blankets, and even dark-colored cotton and linen for shooting scenes.
If a steamer spits water while heating, it doesn't just annoy — it can ruin a fabric's texture.
The three-layer heating structure of the G6 Pro ensures that even at low water levels, it is unlikely to spray water. This makes it a "reliable" tool that I am confident to use in front of clients.
Small size, sufficient water tank capacity
Its 90ml water tank is not large, but it is just right for my on-site quick processing.
Especially during the 7-8 minute continuous usage period, I can tidy up from the bottom of the curtain all the way to the corner of the cushion, completing a set in just one go.
The first "official use" scenario of the G6 Pro: A sudden shooting emergency
That day was not originally scheduled for the shooting, but the client gave a last-minute notice that some media would visit the space.
When I arrived at the scene, at the bottom of the curtains, two hard lines like origami had been formed because someone had pushed a vacuum cleaner the day before.
The photographer's lights have been set up. I only have ten minutes left.
I plugged in the G6 Pro; it reached operating temperature and began producing steam almost immediately.
I held the curtain edge with one hand and used the other hand to gently move the steam down from top to bottom. The force of gravity helped pull the wrinkles down.
After about 40 seconds, that crease was as if it never existed.
The photographer glanced at it and said, "What is this? It's even more useful than the ones in our studio."
I said nothing. I just continued to handle the cushion in silence, because the folded corner of that cushion wasn't quite right either.
Those quiet moments when a small problem is fixed are some of the most satisfying in my work.
My expertise in handling the details of different fabrics
(based on years of experience + G6 Pro test results)
▎Cotton and linen (the most common in home textiles)
The one that wrinkles the easiest is also the one that recovers the easiest.
The mid-range steam function of the G6 Pro is sufficient to handle most of the wrinkles.
I usually "pull" the steam along the fabric — it works faster.
For those with darker cotton and linen colors, it's recommended to test the steam application yourself to avoid water marks caused by temperature differences.
▎Silk (The most precious one)
Silk is very sensitive to heat.
I usually keep the steam at a certain distance so that the fabric can feel the "steam cloud" instead of being directly in contact with the nozzle.
On silk, the G6 Pro delivers a smooth, even finish, which makes me confident using it.
▎Wool, cashmere (thick and of high quality)
It is not sensitive to heat, but if the fabric is compressed, it will appear to be of low quality.
When steaming, I use a "floating-steaming" technique — I avoid pressing the nozzle against the fabric so the steam can lift the fibers on its own.
▎Large household items: curtains, bed skirts, sofa covers
The G6 Pro is compact, but I mostly use it for "local adjustments" such as trimming the bottom of curtains or the seat of sofas.
For extremely long curtains, I will operate them in sections:
Top → Middle → Bottom hem
This makes it easier to maintain the overall smoothness.
How can I carry it when I'm on a business trip?
(Keep your tools always ready)
Many people wouldn't expect this, but I have specially prepared a "small ceremony" for the G6 Pro:
- Keep it in its own pouch.
- Avoid being squeezed by makeup water, sprays, or sharp objects.
- Include distilled water
It's not mandatory, but it significantly extends the machine's lifespan.
Especially when working in areas with hard water. - The plug adapter is always inside the bag.
Since it supports global voltages, I naturally hope to be able to use it at any time. - After use, pour out the water and open the lid to dry it.
This is the key to extending the lifespan of all steamers.
How do I determine whether a portable steamer is worth buying?
These standards are derived from my years of trial-and-error experience, as well as from my profound insights gained during emergency responses in various environments:
① Is the steam stable?
As long as the nozzle sprays water, it is immediately disqualified.
The G6 Pro is one of the most stable portable models I have used in this regard.
② Is the weight really lighter?
Don't be deceived by the parameters. Portable devices are most vulnerable to "heaviness at the top and lightness at the bottom".
The center of gravity of the G6 Pro is very close to the handle, making it comfortable to hold.
③ Whether it supports global voltages
For travellers and those who need to take cross-border business trips, this is much more important than it seems.
④ Does the battery life match my usage habits?
I don't need hours of steam, but I definitely need something that can "quickly complete one task".
The 7-8 minutes of the G6 Pro is the "ideal time" for me to handle all the details of a complete set of soft furnishings in my daily routine.
⑤ Is it easy to clean?
If a steam device required my careful maintenance, it wouldn't stay in my bag for a long time.
Why was the G6 Pro the one I used most frequently in the end?
Not because it is perfect, but because it "just solves the problems I encounter most frequently".
For me, there are several reasons that make me willing to continue using it:
- Light enough to fit into any designer's toolkit
- It heats up so fast it prevents delays.
- Stable, does not drip water, and will not leave irreversible marks on high-quality fabrics.
- The small tank is ideal for quick, sectional touch-ups on soft-decor items.
- Compact in size but with concentrated steam, suitable for local restoration before shooting
- It is a hundred times more practical than an iron during a journey.
Of course, it is not used for ironing the lapels of a suit, nor is it suitable for the large-scale project of ironing dozens of curtains in a day.
It is more like that little companion that is always by my side, eliminating the awkward creases for me.
Finally, I would like to give you a piece of advice.
If you, like me, are sensitive to the details of space, concerned about the condition of fabrics, and often need to make things look "taken seriously" within a short period of time, then you should consider adding a portable steamer to your daily routine.
Whether you choose the G6 Pro or not, I sincerely recommend that you:
Make it one of the least conspicuous but most transformative small items in your closet, suitcase, and soft furnishing toolkit.
Sometimes, to make a space look upscale, you don't need expensive furniture or excessive decoration. All you need is to have the fabrics placed in their proper positions in a quiet, smooth, and vibrant manner.
This is one of the most fundamental truths that I have come to realize after years of doing interior design.
