The future of ironing: has this unpopular chore run out of steam?

While some people claim to find ironing relaxing or meditative, plenty don't enjoy this household chore. A Which? survey¹ found that 26% of those who responded don't iron because they simply don't like it.

According to a report by Lakeland², 30% of those aged 18-34 don't even own an iron. 

As innovations like automated ironing machines and washing machines with pre-ironing features enter the marketplace, could this unpopular chore become a thing of the past? 

We look at alternatives to the traditional iron and ask the experts whether they measure up when it comes to pristine pressing. 

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Clothes steamers 

A clothes steamer (also known as a garment steamer) is intended as a quick fix to remove stubborn creases when you don't have time to set up the ironing board. It's become a staple accessory for people on the go. The average prices of models we've tested come to around £50, although that excludes the pricier upright models. 

The added price translates into larger, bulkier and more powerful models than the handhelds. While this means they're less portable, it does mean they could potentially replace your iron. 

Future Market Insights, a UK market research agency, predicts that in around a decade, the clothes steamer market is expected to grow by more than a million pounds.

Could a clothes steamer replace your iron?

Which? clothes steamer expert Sabrina Sahota says: 'If you need to make the occasional touch-up to your clothes and don't want the fuss of getting the ironing board out, a clothes steamer is a brilliant option. Our Best Buys remove creases from a range of materials so you can steam with ease. However, if you're tackling a pile of work or school shirts, an iron will get the job done quicker.'

You can compare prices for some of the most popular clothes steamers we've tested below. But check our reviews before buying to make sure you get one of the best clothes steamers. 

Automated ironing machines 

An automated ironing machine sounds like something out of a sci-fi film. Just pop your clothes inside, leave it to do its thing and they come out ironed? Sign us up! 

But this is a relatively new piece of kit. So far there have only been a few models released, and they're pretty pricey, with costs exceeding £1,000. They include Care For You from Tefal which not only promises to remove creases, but also claims to kill viruses, bacteria and germs.

Similarly, Samsung says its own automatic clothes steamer, the AirDresser, gets rid of germs. It also claims that the steamer will reduce the chance of damaging your clothes as it uses cooler temperatures. Plus, when the door is open, it doubles as a dehumidifier to help remove moisture from the air.

If you do want to buy one, check how many items of clothing it can 'iron' at a time and whether or not it can accommodate lengthy garments like a maxi dress.

Could an automated ironing machine replace your iron?

Tefal says: 'Whilst the Tefal Care For You reduces creases, sanitises and dries automatically, it is a steamer and uses only steam power without the pressure of a hot soleplate. Steam generator irons would always give the best results thanks to the steam power and soleplate combination in direct contact with fabric.'

Samsung adds: 'The AirDresser is not designed to replace the iron. Both have very specific purposes and the AirDresser is there to remove bacteria and keep clothes looking fresh without washing. The Air Hangers release air and steam into your garments to refresh clothing, help remove odours and relax light wrinkles. reducing the amount of trips to the dry cleaners for your more delicate items.'

Washing machines with pre-ironing programs

You may have noticed that some washing machines will come with their own iron programs or pre-ironing modes. 

Manufacturers like Miele claim that the pre-ironing feature can be set after a wash program to end the cycle by smoothing your laundry with steam. It claims this will reduce ironing by half, which also it's not designed to replace your steam iron. 

Other manufacturers will have a similar feature but may call it something like easy iron. This is where fewer creases are created during a normal washing cycle – typically by lowering the spin speed or shortening the spin cycle.

We've reviewed two washing machines from Miele with the pre-ironing feature. We didn't test this feature specifically, but to find out how they performed overall in the lab read the Miele WED164 review and the Miele WED025 review.

Could a washing machine with a pre-ironing program replace your iron?

Which? washing machines expert Rebecca Jakeman says: 'We haven't tested easy iron or pre-ironing programs in the lab, but they're designed to reduce wrinkles and creases, not eliminate them. And if you leave your washing in the machine for a while before hanging it out, then it's likely you'll be reaching for the iron! A good tumble dryer will also minimise creases while drying your clothes.' 

Miele adds: 'Whilst technology such as the Miele pre-ironing function and minimum iron program offer a significant reduction in the level of ironing required, they are not designed to eliminate ironing completely for all applications. In the case of particularly thick or heavily creased fabrics, pre-ironing may reduce the level of ironing required by up to 50%. However, thinner fabrics tend to be more forgiving, and it may be possible to forgo ironing altogether.'

Discover the best washing machines and best tumble dryers according to our tests

Has ironing lost its steam?

As our experts have confirmed above, it's hard to beat a steam iron for the sharpest shirts and crispest collars. And with the iron market continuing to innovate, with new features like automatic shut-off and more eco-friendly models coming to the market, it doesn't look like irons have run out of steam yet.

A major advantage of irons over the latest garment care innovations is that they're inexpensive. We've tested and recommended a number of Best Buy steam irons priced around £50, plus Great Value steam irons for around £20. 

The best irons we've tested will typically produce a continuous steam output of around 50g/min, minimising the time and effort required to smooth out creases from garments such as cotton shirts and linen trousers.

We also test premium steam generator irons, which come with a separate, larger water tank to produce more steam, making them suitable for larger loads. They're around triple the price of ordinary steam irons, however, so if you're going to invest, be sure to pick up a Best Buy steam generator iron.

You can compare prices for some of the most popular irons we've tested below. But check our reviews before buying to make sure you get one of the best steam irons.

3 tips for quicker, easier ironing

1. Iron clothes while they're damp For the most part, it'll be easier to remove creases when your clothes are damp. If your clothes are already dry, tspray a little water on them. 
2. Stroke, don't wiggle As tempting as it can be to wiggle your steam iron, don't. It can stretch the fabric, so just stick to long straight strokes. 
3. Hang or fold clothes straightaway If you've gone through the effort of ironing, you might as well have a pile of hangers next to you so you can hang them up straight away.

For more tips, including a video on how to iron a shirt, read our guide to how to iron your clothes

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¹Survey of 1,000 Which? members, conducted in April 2024

²Lakeland's 2023 Trends Report