If laundry mountains rule your evenings, a small change to your routine could reclaim calm, space and sanity.
Across Britain, millions spend precious hours battling crumples with a hot plate and a rickety board. A compact alternative now promises to cut that time, clear floor space and calm the chaos, all for less than thirty pounds.
What the £29.99 fuss is about
Lakeland’s foldable steamer takes aim at the most awkward part of garment care: the board. Instead of unfolding kit and moving furniture, you hang shirts, dresses or trousers and let steam relax the fibres. Curtains and bedding benefit too, because vertical steaming reaches fabrics where an iron cannot. The head folds down for storage, and the unit stands around 28 cm, so it slips on a shelf or into a crowded utility cupboard without a fight.
Price, space and speed converge here: a £29.99 handheld steamer, a fold-down head, and zero ironing board.
Families will notice the small touches. A removable water tank means refills at the sink rather than a balancing act with a jug. A steam lock keeps vapour flowing for both hands to smooth fabric. An auto shut-off cuts power if you walk away mid-task. Those details target real life, where interruptions are routine and safety matters.
How it saves hours each month
Time sinks in the laundry room come from setup, queueing garments, and distractions. A steamer cuts setup to seconds and encourages “little and often” maintenance. Five shirts can be refreshed on hangers in minutes, with no board to build, no cables stretched across the room, and far less faff between items. If your household spends even 60 minutes a week ironing, switching daily jobs to steam and reserving the iron only for razor-sharp creases can trim that to 30–40 minutes. Over a year, that easily adds up to dozens of hours reclaimed.
Where a steamer beats an iron
- Quick “out-the-door” fixes for school shirts, blouses and blazers.
- Vertical care for curtains, duvet covers and hanging fabrics.
- Refresh between washes to reduce wear and keep clothes smelling clean.
- Compact storage in small flats and busy family homes.
No board, fewer steps, more momentum: short steam sessions keep piles small and wardrobes ready.
Key features at a glance
- Foldable head for easy storage in tight cupboards and drawers.
- Removable water tank for quick, spill-free refills at the tap.
- Continuous steam lock so your hands stay free to smooth and shape.
- Auto shut-off for peace of mind during mid-task interruptions.
- Designed for vertical use on clothes, curtains and bed linen.
- Backed by a three-year warranty for long-term reassurance.
Where an iron still wins
Steam relaxes fibres and lifts light-to-moderate creases. For knife-edge trouser pleats or a tuxedo shirt before a black-tie event, an iron’s hot soleplate still produces the most defined finish. Think of a steamer as your everyday workhorse and the iron as your special-occasion tool. Use both and you will cut time without sacrificing polish when it counts.
Iron versus steamer: when to pick each
| Task | Best tool | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Quick de-crease before work or school | Steamer | Fast setup, no board needed |
| Sharp pleats and crisp collars | Iron | Direct heat creates defined lines |
| Curtains and hanging fabrics | Steamer | Vertical steam reaches large pieces |
| Heavy cotton tablecloth, stubborn creases | Iron first, then steamer | Hot plate for deep creases, steam to finish |
| Travel refresh at your destination | Steamer | Compact, works on hanging clothes |
Practical tips for better results
Fabric know-how
- Cotton and linen: steam from the outside while gently pulling the hem to smooth. For thick linen, a second pass from the inside helps.
- Wool and cashmere: hold the head a short distance away to avoid over-wetting. Steam relaxes fibres and revives shape.
- Silk and viscose: try a test patch first. Keep the head moving to prevent water spots.
- Printed logos and delicate trims: avoid direct contact; let steam float over the surface.
Routine that saves time
- Hang garments straight from the washer to minimise set-in creases.
- Group two or three items for a single steam session to cut refills and warm-up cycles.
- Use a broad hanger or a door hook to keep fabric taut while you steam.
- Finish with a quick hand-smooth along hems and seams for a neat line.
Small, frequent refreshes trump marathon ironing. Ten minutes a day beats a two-hour weekend slog.
Storage, safety and maintenance
The foldable head and 28 cm height mean the device fits on a shelf beside detergent and pegs. That matters in homes where cupboards already overflow with school bags, trainers and toys. Auto shut-off is a quiet guardian against distractions, and the steam-lock reduces finger fatigue for larger items like curtains. If you live in a hard-water area, use filtered or demineralised water part of the time to slow limescale build-up, and empty the tank after use so minerals do not settle.
Because the unit is handheld and used vertically, there is less chance of heat marks from a soleplate, but the steam is still hot. Keep it upright between passes, avoid pointing at skin, and give textiles a moment to dry before wearing.
Who benefits most
Parents tackling last-minute uniforms, renters without space for an ironing board, home workers aiming for camera-ready tops, and anyone managing curtains or bedding will gain the most. The low entry price and three-year warranty add confidence for first-time users who want results without investing in a bulky system.
What this means for your routine
This gadget shifts garment care from a scheduled chore to a quick fix woven into the day. A blazer wrinkled on the back of a chair, a bedsheet that looks crushed after laundering, or curtains flattened by sunlight can all be brought back with a couple of passes. You keep momentum, and clothes keep their shape longer because fibres are not pressed under a very hot plate as often.
If you already own a traditional iron, pair the two. Reserve the iron for dress shirts and formalwear. Let the steamer handle daily school and office basics, soft knits, and items that normally tempt you to skip ironing entirely. That balance cuts energy use and reduces stress around the laundry pile.
Final pointers before you buy
- Space check: if storage is tight, the foldable head and short height are a clear advantage.
- Task list: if your week includes uniforms, curtains and bed linen, vertical steam earns its keep fast.
- Expectations: steam removes creases and refreshes; it does not replace an iron for knife-edge finishes.
- Longevity: the three-year warranty signals durability for a device used several times a week.
Swap a board and a hot plate for a hanger and a burst of steam, and claw back evenings for yourself.
