Reddit mentions: The best clothes ironing accessories

Oh man. Brace yourselves, I am a total Amazon junkie. (Note: These may not all be BIFL, but I'm responding to the OP in specific.)

• $9 butter keeper. (I bought a slightly different one that's no longer available, but it's the same basic design.) Keeping butter that isn't for cooking or baking in the fridge is for chumps. Mine is always perfectly spreadable room temperature while staying fresh for weeks... sometimes months.
  
  
• $9 TV antenna. I didn't own a TV until a few years ago, and it didn't have a built-in antenna. I don't watch much broadcast TV, so I grabbed the cheapest one I could find. Case in point for why digital is better than analog, this one picks up every digital channel perfectly.
  
  
• $13 shoe rack (now $18). Over the past year of living in this flat, I'd developed a bad tendency of kicking my shoes off at the bottom of the stairs just inside the front door. This looked like a cheap piece of shit, but I figured for the price I couldn't go wrong. Now almost every single pair of shoes I own is in one spot where it's easy to grab—and, more importantly, everything's out of the way of people coming in and out of the house.
  
  
• $14 jug of earplugs (50 pair). Essential for sleeping with the window open in loud neighborhoods, sharing rooms with snoring friends on a trip, or sharing beds with snoring dudes or gals you're sleeping with. These were also my go-to earplugs for shows until I got a pair that's better for listening to music.
  
  
• $22 electric kettle. The coffeemaker in our office puts out water that isn't nearly hot enough for a proper cuppa, and I got sick of microwaving it to boiling a mug's worth at a time. No bells and whistles, but it's performed perfectly since day one, with no breaking-in period like you get with kettles that have plastic parts in contact with the water.
  
  
• $32 32'/10m HDMI cable. Ran it between the computer in my bedroom and the TV in my living room, allowing me to watch all kinds of streaming TV and downloaded videos with friends in a spot more comfortable than standing in front of my desk.
  
  
• Slightly over the $50 limit, but $53 space heater. My best friend and roommate is one of those dudes who's built like a furnace, and our place uses radiators for heat. We had a few days of him sweating his ass off even with the thermostat set to 68, before I realized that we could just turn it way the hell down, and I could heat my own bedroom separately. This sucker dumps out a ton of heat, with a slew of features to sweeten the deal (my favorite being the remote control).
  
  
• Another that's slightly over, but $55 garment steamer. Collapses small enough to fit pretty much anywhere I've ever needed to store it, puts out steam within maybe 30 seconds of turning it on, and with a full tank has enough water to steam as many items as I've ever needed to do in a row. I haven't touched my iron once since I bought this thing, and my only regret is not buying one as soon as I started college over a decade ago.
  
  And, saving the best for last:
  
  
• $43 heated footrest. Hands-down, this is one of the best things I've ever bought in my life. I was looking for an unobtrusive, unobnoxious way to help myself stay warm in the office, which tends to be chillier than my taste year-round. When I opened it up, I was skeptical, since it looked like a cheap injection-molded piece of shit. Now, I'm pretty sure I'd rescue it from a fire before my mother. I don't want to imagine ever trying to get through another winter without it.
  
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  EDIT: As requested by /u/Mogrix, I posted List Part II: Electric Boogaloo, with more items from my Amazon history.

I bought it for my fiance for Xmas, but he LOVES his new clothes steamer. It's so much faster and easier to use than the iron and ironing board, not to mention no setup or worry about the cats burning themselves while we're not looking.

EDIT: This is the one I got him: http://www.amazon.com/Steamfast-SF-407-Fabric-Steamer/dp/B000BQRD0I/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1422647228&sr=8-2&keywords=clothes+steamer&pebp=1422647231010&peasin=B000BQRD0I

There are a bunch of them with really good reviews (better than this one, even), but I think I got this one bc it was the most affordable one around Xmas time? So look around if you're interested :)

Post #2:

Preparation:

getting the supplies

Agar agar powder. [US](https://www.amazon.com/Telephone-Product-Thailand-Powder-Ounce/dp/B01KMHY2OU/) [Europe](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Special-Ingredients-Premium-Gelatine-European/dp/B00EZMPMNE)

Always start with agar! And don't throw old fully colonized plates out. Some contaminants (e.g. mycogone, AKA wet bubble disease will only show up after full colonization (white blobs oozing yellow/orange fluid). and that one (mycogone) will fck up your grow hard, been there done that...

Light malt extract. [US](https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Light-Dried-Malt-Extract/dp/B007XYGBXQ/) [Europe](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Balliihoo-Light-Spraymalt-1Kg-Bag/dp/B0153BASSY/)

Containers for no pour agar (Pasty Plates). [US](https://www.amazon.com/Glad-Food-Storage-Containers-Round/dp/B000WGBMMM/) [Europe](https://www.flaschenbauer.de/einmachglaeser/sturzglaeser/sturzglas-225-ml-to-82) (maybe use Google translate on that site). Also if you are in North America there are Glad mini rounds, they are used in the original Pasty Plate tek. They also have [430ml jars](https://www.flaschenbauer.de/einmachglaeser/sturzglaeser/sturzglas-430-ml-to-82) suitable as substrate containers

A pressure cooker. Good ones are a b**ch to find in Europe. I wouldn't buy [that one](https://www.ebay.de/itm/Pressure-cooker-17L-Stainless-steel-Made-In-Turkey-Largest-Size/133128864948) or similar constructed ones, they are complete s**t, build up next to no pressure and need ungodly amounts of water. I have two of them, but had to do some haphazard MacGyveresqe hacking to get them to sterilize properly, I'll bring that up later.

I also have a Fagor Alu 22 (22 liters, fits eleven quart bottles), but I think that model went out of production in 2017 without a replacement. IMHO the only sane option in Europe right now, would be to order a Presto from the US, they're ~80€ + 40€ shipping, so not that bad. [Presto 23 quart PC](https://www.amazon.com/Presto-Aluminum-23-Quart-Pressure-Canner/dp/B073NCFL2L/)

Also on US websites like shroomery, you'll always read something like "sterilize 90min @ 15 psi". Pressure cookers in Europe usually have no gauges and only go to 50-70 kPa (~7-10 psi). It isn't as bad as it sounds, since sterilization time isn't linear with pressure/temperature. I've found I can get away with 120 min sterilization time for grains, 75 min for PF sub and 30 min for agar.

Scalpel handle and blades. [US](https://www.amazon.com/100-Scalpel-Blades-One-Handle/dp/B01MPX3JTI/) [Europe](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Swann-Morton-Handle-5-10-Blades/dp/B004OIAVJY/)

(optional) inoculation loop. [US](https://www.amazon.com/OESS-Reusable-Inoculating-Inoculation-Bacterial/dp/B071DCS7TW) [Europe1](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Akozon-Inoculation-Inoculating-Microbiology-Laboratory/dp/B07KM7F8VH) [Europe2](https://www.amazon.co.uk/sourcingmap%C2%AE-Inoculating-Microbiology-Tissue-Culture/dp/B071X44DS4/)

Tyvek (for filtered lids). [US](https://www.amazon.com/Dupont-Tyvek-105gm-A5-Sheets/dp/B07418F31G/) [Europe](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tyvek-75gm-Bumper-pack-sheets/dp/B004EXTKSW/)

(optional) oster blender attachments used for PF slurry or LI. [China](https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Head-Ice-Crushing-Crusher-Blade-Replacement-Part-For-Oster-Osterizer-Blender/182451440105)

3M Micropore tape (for filtered lids and monotub holes). [US](https://www.amazon.com/3M-1530-1-Micropore-Tape-Pack/dp/B0082A9FEM/) [Europe](https://www.amazon.co.uk/3M-Micropore-Surgical-First-Medical/dp/B01KYK2666/)

A spray bottle for soapy water. [US](https://www.amazon.com/Tolco-Bottle-Frosted-Assorted-Colors/dp/B000H88PCU/) [Europe](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leifheit-72416-Laundry-Sprayer/dp/B0049PB11Y/)

Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol), 70%. [US](https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Brand-Isopropyl-Antiseptic-Technical/dp/B07NFSFBXQ/) (dilute down to 70%, that percentage is best for sanitization [EU](https://www.amazon.co.uk/We-Can-Source-Ltd-Fingerprints/dp/B07PGB5X6Y/)

A rack to elevate your agar dishes while you do transfers, like these that come with microwave ovens (contaminants tend to collect on the SABs bottom).

A slightly wet towel to put the SAB on. Some people disagree on this, I use the towel to absorb the sprayed soap/water mix and not having that run off the table.

A clear box that's modified as a SAB. I use this one as a SAB, maybe they ship outside Germany. Anyway the manufacturer is kis.it (builds the monotub too), so I think they might be available elsewhere in Europe: https://www.obi.de/aufbewahrungsboxen/obi-allzweckbox-santos-transparent-oversize-140-l/p/3333341?template=PDP&box=box4

More clear boxes used to fruit bottles (basically a monotub, just with individual substrate containers). I use these as unmodded monos (no holes, no flipped lid, lids not latched): https://www.obi.de/aufbewahrungsboxen/obi-allzweckbox-cadiz-l-mit-4-rollen-transparent/p/1930387.

Butane torch [US](https://www.amazon.com/Multipurpose-MDee-Culinary-Refillable-Adjustable/dp/B07MNN2B43) [Europe](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kollea-Adjustable-Refillable-Blowtorch-Soldering/dp/B07QC1T6H5)

Bottles (can be wide mouth pint mason jars (US), quart Ziplock PP5 containers (US) or [these (which I use)](https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Round-Food-Containers-Plastic-Clear-Storage-Tubs-with-Lids-Deli-Pots-2oz-to-32oz/232308091965)

The other commenter's suggestions of various chemicals will work, but that is quite tedious. That haze is remnants of the adhesive, obviously, and it is easily softened with some heat and moisture. Anytime I take tint off I use a clothes steamer to apply that heat and moisture. Works amazingly! The type with a base you fill with water and a hose to a hand unit are most maneuverable and therefore work best. Any spots that still don't come up just rub down thoroughly with acetone on a rag.

Admittedly, this works best if the tint film is still up and usually takes all the glue with it, but will work for just the glue as well.

Dedicated devices for clothes such as this that provide the steam more directly than your shower. I use mine in conjunction with the iron sometimes, but will even just hold the iron up vertically near the garment and have it produce steam.

It's definitely not as perfect as real ironing, but I've enjoyed doing it for a while, and it really doesn't take long at all. (BTW, the one I linked was just the first on Amazon, I have no idea if it is a good one or not. I bought my black and decker one a few years back)

The reason for them is that the rest of the shirt is at least 90% cotton and after repeated washings cotton on the collar will not allow you to press the shirt so that you have a crisp and sharp collar - it will curl on you or will for a lack of a better word "scorch" the cotton, show the marks of a too hot iron and curl. If you have ever ironed a dress shirt and made the mistake of ironing the collar against the body of the shirt you will see the whitesh/shiny marks it made when heat is applied to the two surfaces. That is why they make these for proper pressing of collars.

You can starch a collar made of denim much easier and have it come out with military corners than you can a cotton/poly blend and it won't look like you seared the collar and / or you don't have to have it dry cleaned to look crisp. This allows you to be in accordance with a straight laced / formal collar while still enjoying the comfort and breathability of cotton, and save some cash.

Faultless Hot Iron Cleaner Excellent stuff; the "shirt girls" used it to clean their hot head presses at the commercial laundry where I worked many years ago, I used it on my irons at work (I worked as a seamstress back then) and I've used it ever since. I press shirts with heavy starch, which can make a pretty decent mess of the soleplate. You don't even have to wait for the iron to cool.

I just bought this nifty little garment steamer and I'm so thrilled with it. I always knew conceptually I would look better with crisper/unwrinkled clothes, but now that I actually see the difference in person, just wow.

I've also made a couple of big Old Navy hauls lately. I know it's ~fast fashion~ but I need cheap workout clothes and they've been having a lot of sales. I also picked up this cardigan (link) and this blouse (link) in a few different colors.

Old heavy irons are the best -- they are heavy and the Linen/Cotton settings are actually HOT!

Pro-tip:
Easily clean up a dirty sole plate with a hot iron cleaner such as this: https://www.amazon.com/Faultless-Starch-40110-Cleaner1oz-Grams/dp/B000LNRMH0

There are also pads, which I would've loved had I known about them.
Also, my roommates all used my iron, so maybe be prepared to share.
https://www.amazon.com/Silicone-Resistant-Perfect-Life-Ideas/dp/B01GDRY6GM/ref=sr_1_23?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1469000010&sr=1-23&keywords=folding+iron+board

Like, a fabric steamer?

I bought this one a couple of months back, and I like it well enough.

This one is fantastic for the price: http://www.amazon.com/SteamFast-SF-407-1500-Watt-Fabric-Steamer/dp/B000BQRD0I/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1312943813&sr=1-1

Most 1500 watt steamers range in the 100+ range.

I use both a steamer and iron. The steamer gets out the wrinkles but it doesn't get the crease in the collar of polos that I like (cuz I ain't poppin' that shit)

QEES Fitness Four Finger Gloves with Enhanced Silicone Grip Palm for Men/Women for Yoga, Pull-ups, Weightlifting ST04 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B075WQPB9F/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Sf5XBb25RT2GA
Would probably be the most useful

Prym Finger Guards Silicone https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0088XX9DQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Gg5XBbMJXYR1F
Could work if you use your finger tips more

Yep. I had one (I can't remember the brand, but it looks exactly like this Steamfast on Amazon) and it sucked. It's too top heavy, so any little jostle will almost tip it over, the water container leaked and was designed terribly, and it didn't work nearly as well as I thought it would. I've been told that if you want a legit one, buy an industrial one that they use in clothing retail stores. I have yet to do this. Just go into a nicer store and ask them if/what steamer they use.

Use some of this stuff https://www.amazon.com/Faultless-Starch-40110-Cleaner1oz-Grams/dp/B000LNRMH0

it works great for irons so it should work for cast irons.

It's exactly what it sounds like. Something like this

https://www.amazon.com/Steamfast-SF-407-Fabric-Steamer/dp/B000BQRD0I/ref=zg_bs_510248_10?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ZZE2GK97VM0SZRHX1BZW

I'm a man but have switched recently to Charles Tyrwhitt(http://www.ctshirts.com/womenswear?q=usddefault|||||||||||||||) , while more expensive than Macys these shirts are very well made and hold up great. Also give up on non-iron, I've found that they just don't hold up well. I use a steamer http://amzn.com/B000BQRD0I or wrinkle spray http://amzn.com/B008BCQB6G since I hate to iron.


http://www.ctshirts.com/womenswear?q=usddefault|||||||||||||||

Well, kind of. More like:

• Los Angeles vagina steamer
  
• Cincinnati vagina steamer
  
  EDIT: Forgot "Cleveland" steamer meant something else, doh!

I'm really sorry for the nonconstructive comment but GIRL please GET YOURSELF A GARMENT STEAMER!

Oh, one other thing that absolutely everyone should do: buy yourself a clothing steamer. Something similar to http://www.amazon.com/SteamFast-SF-407-1500-Watt-Fabric-Steamer/dp/B000BQRD0I/

Ironing is slow and annoying, but wearing rumpled clothes will kill just about any look imaginable. The secret way out of this dilemma is to pick up a steamer, which is incredibly fast and easy to use, and will make everything look neat and fresh.

Agreed, here's a similar one on Amazon. The one OP posted also has a built-in extension cord to plug the iron into.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GYUSC8C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_pA7SDbZ4M8QHA

Have you tried using travel sized irons and small ironing boards? To me they're a total pain and not worth the negligible space you'll save, especially if its something you're using everyday. I upgraded from a small black and decker mini iron and ironing on the top of my bed to a full size ironing board from target for $15, this ironing board hanger, and this iron, and its up there in the top 10 upgrades I've made. I just hang it on the back of my laundry room door and it is out of sight.

I'd advise against doing this in your own house. Doing this often/long enough will leave a lot of warm moisture & condensate in your bathroom which will cause mold problems.


Steamers are a good alternative.

or just buy a steamer. I use this puppy

http://www.amazon.com/Steamfast-SF-407-Fabric-Steamer/dp/B000BQRD0I/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1381518826&sr=8-2&keywords=steamer

I use a floor based rolling Garment steamer with a wand.
Similar to this one

Hot iron cleaner, I wouldn't be without it...

http://www.amazon.com/Faultless-Starch-Hot-Iron-Cleaner/dp/B000LNRMH0

I think it was this one.

One of these things. On a side note, if anyone has one of these let me know how it is.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0006V875S/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/189-8480320-8350567

http://www.amazon.com/Dritz-Clothing-Care-82444-Silicone/dp/B00557210U


It works in my reef tank and my PC.

PROTIP

You DONT iron, get a steamer. It's 5000x faster, easier, and much less damaging in your clothes.

http://www.amazon.com/Steamfast-SF-407-Fabric-Steamer/dp/B000BQRD0I/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1408533315&sr=1-1

Why the home remedies? They sell soleplate cleaner. That 1oz tube will last you for years. Your edit talks of being thrifty and it's not like Rowentas are cheap irons. Probably don't need to replace unless you had a non-stick soleplate and scratched the heck out of it.

Clothes steamer! Come on, you'd no doubt look better with non wrinkly clothes.

Jesus Christ please buy your mom an iron cleaning kit. This is disgusting. Link for the lazy.

No. This is a steamer.

You're obviously doing it wrong - you should be using a steamer.

I started wearing a lot of button downs recently and invested in a clothing steamer http://www.amazon.com/SteamFast-SF-407-1500-Watt-Fabric-Steamer/dp/B000BQRD0I/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1373480026&sr=8-2&keywords=clothing+steamer

It's not a referral link or anything so don't worry about that...it's been a life saver for my shirts and I tend to get a few wears out of my shirts before I wash them. Great on pants/jeans to, to give them a nice "refresh". I suck at ironing plus I'm scared ill burn the house down by accident so this has been a nice quick go to way to get wrinkles out of shirts. Just make sure you use distilled water! It's not answering your question but I figured I'd shoot ya an alternative!

screw the cloth..they're a pain in the ass to use.
http://www.amazon.com/IMCG-C2616-Iron-Shield/dp/B000V9YI30

much better. I keep it on my iron all the time

This + a spray bottle and you're golden for most of your wardrobe