Last Updated on March 30, 2023
New sheets don’t just look good, they feel good too – especially for the soul!
When we stay at a nice hotel, we seem to effortlessly fall asleep the moment we get into bed. The bed itself is more of a cocoon than just a mattress with some bedding on top of it.
A well-made bed is very underrated!
Looking at a crisp set of sheets has a certain visual appeal. It’s the kind of aesthetic that makes you feel confident, happy, and proud.
A wrinkled set of sheets just don’t provide that same feeling.
This is a shame, because a set of freshly ironed sheets is an easy way of pampering your soul, keeping things tidy, and promoting a stress-free sleeping environment.
Most people avoid this step because using a steam iron to press a set of sheets is actually quite a bit of work. Ironing a sheet on an ironing board takes time and effort. It really does!
What you should use instead is a handheld fabric steamer!
Why a handheld steamer beats a steam iron
A fabric steamer is not only lighter and more convenient, but it’s also easier to use.
With a traditional steam iron, you have to place your sheet on the ironing board, and then press and move the iron around – which takes a bit of effort.
Then you pull the fabric forward and repeat. Because of the small surface area of the ironing board, you end up repeating this process over and over.
It doesn’t just take effort, it takes time as well.
A handheld fabric steamer doesn’t require the same level of effort, and doesn’t require the same commitment of time.
With a handheld steamer, you can iron your sheets in less than a few minutes.
It might take a few attempts to learn the technique that works for you, but it’s worth the effort. You’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.
How to use a steamer to iron your sheets
There are two basic methods for this, it just depends on your resources, and your convenience preference.
Method 1 – The clothesline
If you’re no stranger to a clothesline, and you have the clearance for a flat (or fitted) sheet, then just pin it up, and you’re ready to go.
Prepare your fabric steamer like you normally would, and steam your sheet like you would steam any other type of cotton material. The same motion will work.
This is the best way to use a fabric steamer to iron your sheets.
Admittedly, not everyone has a clothesline – or even space for one. So let’s look at another method if you live in the city.
Method 2 – On the bed
It doesn’t get much more convenient than that right?
Yes, you can actually steam your sheets right on your bed. And why not? Your mattress is a flat surface, just like an ironing board.
And since you’re not actually pressing, you don’t need a firm surface.
A few additional tips for this method
Using a fabric steamer to iron your sheets while they are on top of your bed works – you just have to keep a few things in mind.
Also, please note: If you don’t have a handheld steamer, please DO NOT try this method at home with a regular iron.
The surface of a traditional mattress is made of materials that don’t stand up to heat as well as cotton does.
They will burn and possibly melt under the heat of a traditional steam iron.
Remove your comforter first
Don’t steam your flat sheet on top of your comforter, particularly if you have a goose down comforter. Moisture and goose down are not a good mix.
That’s how you create mold – eww!
Pull your fitted sheet snug
Your fitted sheet pulls away from the corners of the bed while you toss and turn at night. And a looser sheet is not as easy to iron.
So, before you steam press your fitted sheet, pull each corner down, to get the surface of the sheet as flush as possible.
Don’t steam your sheets just before you get into bed
Moisture inside of your covers can make things uncomfortable.
Don’t steam-press your sheets if you’re about to get into bed. Give your sheets adequate time to dry completely.
This doesn’t take an extremely long amount of time. 10-15 minutes is usually enough.
Check your steamer’s manual before adding anything other than water
A handheld fabric steamer is basically a facial steamer with a handle.
It’s very common to add essential oils in a facial steamer for therapeutic benefits – and the same application can be useful here as well.
Especially the types of essential oils used for better sleep.
Infusing essential oils into your sheets can provide a lot of positive benefits, but check your manual first. Not all handheld fabric steamers are equipped to handle anything other than plain water.
Why you should make this a part of your routine
While there are more than a handful of reasons that come to mind, there are two that stick out. You should start steam pressing your sheets for two glorious reasons:
1.) To declutter your bed and create a serene sleeping environment
2.) To add a sense of pride to your bedroom
Declutter
Wrinkled sheets are messy. They make a bed look cluttered. They prevent a bed from looking warm and inviting.
A clean and wrinkle-free bed promotes a calm serenity, like the type of calmness you feel in a hotel bed. This is the type of environment that makes it effortless to fall asleep.
Laying in bed and waiting to fall asleep can wreck your nerves. Falling asleep quickly is one of the top priorities when it comes to creating a productive nighttime ritual.
Admire your bed
Don’t you have a renewed sense of self-confidence immediately after you get a car wash? Admiring freshly-ironed sheets on your bed has the same effect.
Your sheets might have just come out of the dryer, but if they’re a wrinkly mess, it doesn’t quite feel the same.
Crisp sheets are almost like a status symbol. You can’t help but feel a sense of pride when you admire your clean and wrinkle-free bed.
Final thoughts
We’re not suggesting ironing your sheets every day. Once a week or so is probably enough for most people.
But once you start using a handheld steamer, and discover how easy it is to use, you might just start. And there’s nothing wrong with that!
A clean well-made bed, featuring a crisp set of sheets is truly one of the most underrated things in life. It’s not just visually appealing, it’s also good for the soul.