[Edaily Reporter PARK JI-AE ] We’re in an era of recession-driven consumption, where we want a lot but our wallets are light. Our reporter personally tests and evaluates “value-for-money alternatives” that let you keep up with trends without breaking the bank. <Editor’s Note>

As chilly breezes began to blow in the mornings and evenings, I pulled out the winter clothes I’d tucked away deep in my closet. The coats and sweaters, untouched since last winter, gave off a distinct musty odor. The sweaters, which had been folded for storage, were wrinkled. Taking them back to the dry cleaner seemed like a hassle, but I felt uneasy about wearing them as they were.

At times like this, garment care devices like Samsung Electronics’ “Air Dresser” or LG Electronics’ “Styler” come to mind. While they can eliminate odors and remove wrinkles using steam, they’re quite pricey. They also require a separate installation space. While searching for a relatively affordable alternative that wouldn’t take up much storage space, I turned my attention to a handheld steam iron.

When I searched for “handheld steam iron” on Coupang, a variety of products appeared starting in the 10,000 won range. I considered choosing the cheapest option, but after reviewing customer reviews and sales figures, I decided to invest a little more and chose a model in the 20,000 won range. Although it wasn’t the absolute lowest price, the high number of buyers and extensive user reviews made it seem relatively trustworthy.

When I received the product, I found it was smaller than a standard iron and designed to be held and used with one hand. Its biggest advantage was that it could be used directly on clothes hung on a hanger, without needing a separate ironing board. It was extremely simple to use: just fill the water tank, plug it in, and once steam starts coming out, slowly move it along the surface of the garment.

The first item I tested was a coat that had been hanging in my closet for a long time. I applied steam several times to areas with noticeable wrinkles, such as the sleeves and front panels. The wrinkles didn’t disappear completely in one go, but as I repeated the process, the creased areas gradually smoothed out. Although it wasn’t as crisp as if I’d used a traditional iron to set the creases, it looked much better for wearing out.

Next was a knit sweater I’d stored folded. When I directed the steam toward the creases left by the folds, the wrinkles softened. It was convenient not to have to press the garment directly with the iron, as you would with a regular iron. However, since knits can be sensitive to heat and moisture depending on the material, I was careful not to concentrate the steam on any one spot for too long.

The problem was the odor. Even immediately after steaming, it was hard to say that the distinctive smell of clothes that had been stored for a long time had completely disappeared. Instead, I hung the steamed coat and knitwear on a drying rack in a well-lit spot and let them air out thoroughly for about a day. When I checked them again the next day, the musty smell was less noticeable than when I first took them out, and the wrinkles had smoothed out, making the clothes look much fresher overall.

Surprisingly, I was most satisfied with the results on regular shirts. Minor wrinkles from washing or slight creases that had formed while hanging in the closet were smoothed out relatively easily with steam. It was highly practical because I could quickly touch up shirts hanging on hangers on busy mornings without having to pull out an ironing board.

Of course, it’s difficult to directly compare a handheld steam iron to professional garment care systems like the Samsung Electronics AirDresser or the LG Electronics Styler. While both products use steam to manage odors and wrinkles in clothing, professional garment care systems combine high-temperature steam with various functions such as dust removal and drying, whereas handheld steam irons are designed primarily to smooth out wrinkles. While it’s hard to expect the same level of sterilization or deodorizing effects, it was more than sufficient for smoothing out light wrinkles in everyday use.

Nevertheless, considering the price of around 20,000 won, it was a satisfying purchase. Another advantage is that it doesn’t require a separate installation space and can be stored in a cabinet when not in use. It can be used not only when taking out winter clothes but also for smoothing out light wrinkles in shirts or sweaters on a daily basis.

If you expect results on par with high-end garment care devices, you might be disappointed. However, it more than does the job when it comes to quickly tidying up winter clothes pulled from the closet or smoothing out wrinkles before heading out. For just around 20,000 won, this “great find” was a success in that it helped alleviate some of the hassle of caring for winter clothes.