Successful Vertical Steaming: How to Be Wrinkle-Free

Vertical steaming is exactly what it sounds like: you hang your clothes up and hit them with steam to knock out wrinkles. But it’s not just about de-wrinkling—modern steamers can disinfect and deodorise, too, which means your clothes look better and are cleaner.

Vertical steaming is simplicity. All you need is a decent steamer, something to hang your clothes on, and water. No ironing board required, no fussy temperature settings to worry about, and much less risk of scorching your favourite clothes.

Choosing the best steamer for you

When shopping for a vertical steamer, you’ve got a few options:

Handheld Steamers

These compact units are perfect if you’re short on space or need something for travel. They’re lighter and more portable but typically have smaller water tanks and might not pack as much steaming power.

Stand Steamers

These come with their own built-in hanger and typically offer more steam power and larger water tanks. They’re ideal if you’re steaming regularly or tackling multiple garments at once.

Steam Generators

These are the heavyweights of the steaming world. They produce more consistent steam and can handle tougher fabrics and deeper wrinkles.

Many modern steam generators are multi-functional, offering disinfecting and deodorising capabilities alongside traditional steaming. What should you look for? Pay attention to heat-up time (nobody wants to wait around for ages), water tank capacity (bigger means fewer refills), and steam output (more powerful steam = faster de-wrinkling).

Setting up your steaming station

You don’t need a fancy setup, but a few strategic choices can make vertical steaming even easier:

Make sure you’ve got enough room to move around the garment. Nothing’s more frustrating than being cramped in a corner trying to maneuver around a dress.
While you can hold the hanger in one hand and steam with the other, having a designated spot to hang clothes simplifies things. A hook on the back of a door, a shower curtain rod, or the edge of a cabinet can work in a pinch.
Consider investing in a dedicated cart or stand if you’re serious about your steaming game. These provide mobility and keep everything you need in one place.
This might seem minor, but clearly, seeing those stubborn wrinkles makes a big difference.

Why steam instead of iron?

You might be wondering if a steamer is really worth the investment when you already own an iron. Here are a few points to consider:

It’s faster as there is no ironing board to set up and no flipping garments over.
It’s gentler on fabrics as steaming lifts fibres instead of crushing them, which means less wear and tear on your clothes.
It’s safer for delicate materials like silk, chiffon, wool, and other finicky fabrics that might scorch under an iron do just fine with steam.
It’s more versatile and beyond clothes; you can steam curtains, bedding, upholstered furniture, and even stuffed animals.
It sanitises as the high-temperature steam kills bacteria and dust mites, making it great for folks with allergies.

Is vertical steaming right for you?

Vertical steaming isn’t always a complete replacement for ironing. If you need sharp creases in dress pants or are dealing with heavy cotton fabrics, you might still need an iron sometimes. That said, a good steamer can save you tons of time and effort for day-to-day de-wrinkling and freshening up. It’s particularly brilliant for those mornings when you pull something from your closet and realise it needs a quick touch-up before you head out the door.

Choosing the right vertical steaming equipment comes down to your specific needs. Consider how often you’ll use it, what types of garments you typically wear, and how much space you have. With the right steamer in hand, you might just find yourself saying goodbye to your ironing board for good—and hello to more time in your day.

Try the IZZI Plus: The triple-threat steamer

The IZZI Plus is backed by decades of expertise. It tackles wrinkles, germs, and odours all at once. Hang your garment, fire up the IZZI, and watch it work its magic in seconds flat.

Its 3-in-1 functionality means the IZZI disinfects as it steams, killing bacteria that regular steamers miss. The vertical design makes quick work of anything from delicate blouses to heavy coats. For busy professionals or anyone who hates ironing, this steamer will ensure your clothes look better and are actually cleaner.