One travel essential I can no longer travel without is a good iron. Hotel irons are not always reliable, and Airbnb accommodations are not always equipped with one. Is it extra? Maybe. Is it worth it? Every time! This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to use my links to purchase certain items, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. I appreciate your support.
If you’re judging me as bougie for lugging a full-on iron as a travel essential, hear me out. Hotel irons are usually underpowered, dirty, and spitting out who knows what. And the steam function is often terrible, if it works. Airbnbs may not even have an iron at all.
Since I travel with a lot of linen, I’ve learned the hard way that relying on whatever iron is “provided” rarely works out. One day, I decided to pack my own iron, and I have never looked back. It is worth its weight in gold, for sure.
It may sound extra, but it has saved me time, frustration, and literally saved my outfits.
This post is all about the one travel essential I never leave home without.
Why My Iron Makes the Cut As a Must-Have Travel Essential
- Hotel irons are shoddy or nonexistent
- Airbnb listings don’t always include an iron (or they’re broken)
- I often travel with linen that wrinkles easily and a steamer just doesn’t cut it
- A quality iron I know I can count on saves me time before dinners, photos, events, or even just getting ready for a slow, relaxing day
- It is worth the space for me because I am particular about how polished my clothes look
My Favorite Iron
If you travel with linen or structured fabrics, bringing your own iron is one of those things you don’t realize you need until you do. Below is the link to the iron I bought years ago, recommended by a European seamstress. The Rowenta Stainless Steel Iron Steamer is top quality from Germany and steams like no other. This is an updated version of my iron.
While I prefer to bring my iron, there are times when I travel with silk, though less often. When I have silk I do prefer to use a handheld steamer. The one I use is the Conair Handheld Garment Steamer. I find it is still good-sized, though marketed as “travel”, so do not expect it to be tiny. Again, it is worth it to me to know I will be able to properly care for my silk and delicate articles of clothing at home or when I am traveling.
This post was all about the one travel essential I never leave home without.
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