Want to know which Clothes Press to buy? Go to our Recommended Best Buy Clothes Presses. Need a trouser press? Go to our Recommended Best Buy Trouser Presses.
PainFree Shopping Guide to Buying Clothes Presses
A clothes press is easy to use
Clothes presses are what the professionals use, quick, efficient and ideal for high volume ironing.
They are made of two plates which sandwich the clothes between them.
An advantage is that they can easily be used sitting down.
Garment Steamers are ideal for delicate fabrics such as silks, embroidered fabrics and lacework.
Clothes presses are not suitable for garments with a lot of darts or ruffles, you will still need a traditional iron to get into the small creases.
Finger pressure is enough to close the press
Clothes presses are ideal for busy households and for people who find conventional ironing difficult.
Only finger pressure is needed to close the press which exerts enough pressure (approx 100lbs) to iron the clothes.
The type of press you buy will depend on the kind of laundry you deal with.
When choosing a clothes press make sure it's big enough for what you need to iron.
The biggest complaint from domestic users is that when they order a press suitable for shirts, skirts etc... It's too small to press sheets or duvet covers, as you cannot feed such large areas of material through a small press. If in doubt get the largest one you can.
Get the biggest size you can
The types of clothes press:
A dry press:
Such as our recommended Fast Press uses heat and the pressure of the closed plates to smooth the clothes. If you are pressing mostly damp laundry then use a dry press, they come with spray bottles so you can dampen dry clothes as well.
Their dry press range is for domestic and light commercial use, they do a single sized ironing board 62 x 21cm. Fastpress have been in business for 22 years.
As dry presses don't have water running through them, they have a longer life span than steam presses.
A steam press:
Such as our recommended Speedy Press works like a dry press and also shoots a burst of steam into the fabric. If you are pressing mostly dry clothes, steam presses are quicker on dry clothing. They can also be used dry on damp clothes.
Speedy Press have been importing and manufacturing ironing equipment for over 40 years and do presses in sizes from 55cm x 22cm up to 90 x 31cm, with or without stands and are suitable for domestic and light commercial use.
(Both companies are UK based and have an excellent after-sales service, we have reports of these presses lasting up to 10 years and more without any issues.)
A Trouser press:
Such as our recommended Corby Trouser Presses is a machine specially designed to remove creases in trousers.
A Garment steamer:
Such as our recommended Tefal IT6540 is designed to blow pressurised steam through garments without touching them, this causes creases to 'fall out'.
Steamers are used on delicate or special fabrics where ironing or pressing may damage them, such as wedding gowns, sequined garments, silks and lacework. They can also be used on normal suits, dresses shirts etc...
The steam also sanitizes fabrics killing bacteria and helping with odour control, they can also be used to freshen soft furnishings and mattresses.
The Tefal Clothes Steamer in action
What to look for in a clothes press:
Extra large opening area for double sheets etc.
Fast heat up time
Non-stick plates
Ability to iron multi-layers.
Adjustable temperature control.
Automatic Shut-Off safety feature if left open or closed for too long.
Steam presses should have an extra burst of steam function.
Ready to use indicator.
Additional useful extras
Digital Temperature display.
To go straight to our best buy range of Clothes Presses click here
Trouser Presses:
Usually called Corby Trouser presses after the company which first designed this appliance, thesy are specifically designed to press trousers
They are not a replacement for a proper clothes press or iron but are used to 'refresh' trousers by placing the legs in an upright press which sandwiches them between heated plates for a timed period.
Effective at smoothing out behind the knee wrinkles and re-sharpening the leg crease, they are not good at crotch or seat creases as only the legs are placed in the press.
Trouser presses are usually found in hotels aimed at businessmen so their suit trousers can be pressed ready for the day's engagements.
They are popular at home now as a way to keep your trousers smart, as daily ironing will eventually cause the fabric to shine.
As they come with a clothes hanger attached, a trouser press is a convenient place to hang your suit overnight.
A great place to hang your suit overnight
Trouser presses are not worth buying unless you wear a suit or uniform trousers daily, they take up space and buying one for occasional use is a waste of money, for the price you can get a proper clothes press and iron your shirts as well.
Our best buys are the original Corby presses and come with a range of timer options and finishes depending on your needs and personal taste.
To see our best buy trouser presses click here.