What is the difference between steaming, ironing and pressing?

[merkur]

..

 

[NORE]

Steaming is basically blowing steam on/at a garment for the purpose of removing wrinkles.
Ironing is basically rubbing an iron across a garment for the purpose of removing wrinkles.
Pressing is doing it right.

 

[merkur]

..

 

[Sanguis Mortuum]

Originally Posted by merkur

So you're saying I can use a steam iron to do all 3? I must be doing my ironing wrong because I iron AND press the steam button at the same time; I assume this is a no no as in if using a steam iron, the actual iron should never make contact with the garment when "steaming"?

Correct, steaming is the application of steam without any other contact with the material. Pressing is placing the iron onto the fabric and applying pressure, without moving it across and material and with or without steam. Ironing is moving the iron across the fabric, with or without the addition of steam. Ironing is what is done to shirts. Pressing is what is done to suits. A suit should never be ironed, as it can stretch or shine the fabric.

 

[merkur]

..

 

[calvinloke]

Originally Posted by Sanguis Mortuum

Correct, steaming is the application of steam without any other contact with the material. Pressing is placing the iron onto the fabric and applying pressure, without moving it across and material and with or without steam. Ironing is moving the iron across the fabric, with or without the addition of steam.

Ironing is what is done to shirts. Pressing is what is done to suits. A suit should never be ironed, as it can stretch or shine the fabric.

I did this and my jacket end up with a huge iron mark. Is there a trick to doing it correctly?

 

[NORE]

Use a pressing cloth. I always saw my mom do it with a modified pillowcase and a bowl of water. She would dampen the cloth then place it on top of whatever she was pressing. Then put the iron on that.

 

[a tailor]

if you use a steam iron. place a press cloth on the garment. hit the steam button two seconds then continue to press dry until the has dried out, or use a half wet sponge to wet the press cloth.

do you want a proper press cloth.
go to a local fabric store and buy one yard of 100% cotton "drill".
toss it in the washing machine with the laundry.
then cut a strip 12" wide the full yard length, this will help crease the longest trouser.
cut the rest in smaller pieces and you will have a life time supply of press cloth.
for only about 4 or 5 bucks.

 

[NORE]

That's a great idea. Beats cutting up pillowcases