Wrinkles are just the worst. They make you look sloppy, and undermine your well-groomed appearance. In an effort to combat this for a mission, it is recommended to try to buy clothes that have a high content of synthetic fabric. If you can- wonderful! However I bet that more of you are like me and are limited on what you can buy. Whether it is budget, location, body type, or sense of style, it is hard buying clothes for your mission. I am 5'9" and quite frankly if I find anything below my knee, it is a miracle and I buy it. Now here I am, with several outfits for my mission but I have the nagging feeling that they will probably wrinkle. Even the polyester skirt that I was told would never wrinkle, might just wrinkle after being crammed into a suitcase and shipped across the country (for some of you the world). Would you expect it to come out perfect? Sorry to burst your bubble, but it just won't happen.
So what do you do? I have tried the whole putting your clothes in the bathroom while you shower. Only works a little bit, but if you have some serious wrinkles it won't do a thing. So how about bringing an iron with you? You can get a cheap one, but it will probably be heavy and take up a chunk of your 50 lb weight limit. Also if it is cheap it probably won't do the best job. Some missions actually have irons provided for you, but those pesky heat settings. What if you choose the wrong one or forget to change it? BOOM, you ruined your favorite shirt.
Frustrated? Trust me, I was too. Well, that was me until about four years ago. I had a job in the fashion industry, and wrinkles are a problem there too. You can't haul around an iron and an ironing board to a photo shoot or iron on top of a mannequin, so we use steamers! Normally clothing stores have the big, rolling, industrial type, but for a mission a handheld steamer might be more practical.
If there is something you could "splurge" (like $20-$60) on for your mission, it would be a handheld steamer. It is the best thing when you need a quick fix. In addition to getting out the wrinkles, steaming your clothes deodorizes, disinfects, and increases the life span of your clothes since it is more gentle than an iron. It is also easier; since it is steam you don't have to worry about heat settings and accidentally ruining your clothes.
So here is your Guide to Steamers:
These first three are for the budget conscious, but I really recommend the last two!
1. Conair Handheld Garment Steamer
This first steamer is from Walmart, $38.88, and is 3 lbs. It comes with three additional attachments. The attachment pictured is the one you will want to use when regularly steaming. Then there is a brush attachment to get off lint, a creaser to get those perfect lines in your suit pants or shirts, and a soft cushion attachment for anything really delicate. http://www.walmart.com/ip/19720708?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227000000000&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=&wl3=21486607510&wl4=&wl5=pla&veh=sem
2. Conair Handheld Fabric Steamer
This one is a decent option too. Funny how it was the cheapest at Walmart, it was $5-$10 more everywhere else! This is $19.88, 2 lbs, and the black thing on the tip is a two in one lint remover/bristle brush. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10098019&findingMethod=rr
3. HAAN Travel Quick Pro Handheld Garment Steamer, TS-30
This is definitely the cheapest out there at $14.00. This is very small, compact, and meant for traveling. It is from a decent brand, however I have my reservations about it. Look down for the video to see why.
Now we are rolling out the big dogs, here.......
Industrial Handhelds a.k.a. my favorite
These next two are worth the money. These puppies are designed to disinfect and to be used for cleaning, so their steam-power is nothing to sneeze at. They come with a slew of attachments, but you will only need to bring the garment one. Or hey, if you want to use the others to clean be my guest. Thinking that it might be weird to clean with steam? Well these guys will last long enough that you will use it on your mission, bring it home, love it so much that you will search through all of your stuff to find the other attachments for cleaning, use it, love it, and use it for five more years. You will become a steaming fanatic.
You're Welcome.
4. HAAN HS-20R Handheld Steam Cleaner with Attachments
This first one was actually featured in the last issue of InStyle Magazine. Is $59.95 and you can buy it here on amazon or at Walmart and get a $10 e-gift card. It is kind of weird though, I have looked around on all these different sites and see three different weights. So it is either 1 lb, 2.8 lbs, or 5 lbs. Either way, it is great. This is the one I will be getting. If weight is a concern, just ship it to your mission home. It will be worth it!
http://www.amazon.com/HS-20R-Handheld-Steam-Cleaner-Attachments/dp/B006MCMSW8They also have it in yellow.......
http://www.bestvacuum.com/haan-hs-20-handheld-steam-cleaner.html?gdftrk=gdfV26396_a_7c2277_a_7c7903_a_7cHS_d_20&gclid=CPz3w9HK4LcCFQ9eQgodYywAfw#.Ubl-ffYjo84
5. Shark Press and Refresh Garment Steamer
Now if you are an elder, this is probably the steamer for you. It is $69.88 and 7.5 lbs. I mean ya it is heavy but really, what do you guys fill your suitcases up with anyways? ;) For this puppy I would ship it to the field because at the MTC you can get your shirts done at the BYU Laundry. However it is perfect for you guys because you can place a "presser pad" behind it and get those perfect creases. Imagine how much money you will save from not having to get your clothes dry cleaned! Also if it was kind of a sweaty day, just run this over the arm- pit and it will be smelling fresh like roses in no time. However a warning to the ladies- some find the metal bar on top to be annoying, but the reason why it is on there is for pressing shirts. If you don't need that, don't get it. But men, get this! Here is the link: Shark Steamer
VITAL INFORMATION:
Now here is a video showing the correct technique on how you use your steamer. It will be the same thing with the handhelds, just hang it from the top of a door or dresser handle.
Skip to 1:50, before she is just chatting and mentioning how the steam kills bacteria and how that can save money.
Gentlemen, make sure you pay attention at 3:05 for how to press your collars and pants!
Now do you see why I have my reservations about #3? I don't really see how that would effectively be able to turn upside down and get under the clothes without letting all the water out. But if you think you can do it, go for it!
Now these are just my recommendations, and you of course can get whatever you want. Just....
DO NOT GET:
Smartek Handheld Steamer
Bad reviews, constantly leaks, really bulky. Just don't do it!
So I hope this helps you guys! Good luck!
Let me know if there is any other issues that you might need some tips on :)
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