How to Steam Pants (and Press a Crease)

To steam pants, hang them by the hem from a clip hanger so the legs fall straight, then work the steamer from the waistband down while you pull the fabric gently taut with your free hand. That takes out most wrinkles in a few minutes. If you want a sharp front crease on dress pants, lay them flat, line up the seams and press along the fold instead, ideally with a pressing cloth between the plate and the fabric.

Before you start

• Read the care label. It tells you the fiber and the heat it can take. If it says cool iron, use the lowest heat. When in doubt, test on the inside of the waistband or a hem.
• Empty the pockets. Keys, receipts and tissues leave lumps that steam and pressing can set in place.
• Start with clean pants. Heat can set stains, so steam fresh-from-the-wash or just-worn pants, not ones with spots on them.
• Fill the tank with distilled or filtered water. It keeps mineral buildup down and the steam clean.

How to steam pants on a hanger

This is the fastest way to get everyday wrinkles out of trousers, chinos and soft suiting.

1. Hang them upside down. Clip the pants by the hem with the inseams together, so each leg hangs flat and straight. Gravity does part of the work.
2. Pick the right setting. Choose the heat to match the fabric (see the table below).
3. Start at the waistband. Steam the waistband, pockets and seat first, where pants crumple most from sitting. Turn pockets inside out if they're puckered and steam the lining too.
4. Work down each leg. Move the steamer in slow vertical strokes from top to bottom. With your free hand, pull the hem gently downward to keep the fabric taut. Steam passes through tight fabric more easily than slack fabric.
5. Do the back, then the inside. Flip the hanger around and repeat. For stubborn wrinkles behind the knee, steam from the inside of the leg as well.
6. Let them hang. Give the pants a few minutes to cool and dry before you wear them or fold them. Warm, damp fabric wrinkles again quickly.

Keep your hand clear of the steam. A padded steamer glove lets you hold the fabric close to where you're working, or slip inside a leg so you can steam against it.

How to iron dress pants and press a crease

Steam on a hanger relaxes wrinkles, but it won't build a crease. For tailored trousers you need pressure and a flat surface.

1. Press the top first. Pull the waistband over the end of a board or lay it flat on a table and press the waistband, the pocket area and the fly. Pockets lying flat inside stop lines showing through on the front.
2. Line up the legs. Lay the pants flat on their side and match the inseam to the outseam on one leg. The existing crease, if there is one, should sit naturally at the front and back of the leg. Follow it rather than making a new one, or you'll end up with a double line.
3. Fold back the top leg. Flip the upper leg up and out of the way so you press one leg at a time.
4. Use a pressing cloth on dark or fine fabrics. Wool, dark polyester and many suiting fabrics can turn shiny under direct heat. A see-through mesh pressing cloth sits between the plate and the fabric and lets you still see the crease line you're following.
5. Press, lift, move. Press down along the crease from the hem up toward the crotch, then lift the plate and move it rather than sliding it back and forth. Sliding can stretch the fabric and twist the line.
6. Repeat on the other leg, then turn the pants over and check both sides.
7. Let it set. Leave the pants flat or hang them straight by the hem until they cool. A crease firms up as the fabric cools.

Which setting for which pants

Most pants fall into a few fabric groups. These match the settings on the RosyIron SteamerPro. If you use another steamer or iron, follow the same idea: lowest heat for the most delicate fiber.

Pants fabric	Setting	Tips
Wool trousers and suiting	Blend	Steam from just above the fabric. Use a pressing cloth for the crease.
Cotton chinos and khakis	Cotton	Can take firmer pressing. A little steam on the hanger is often enough.
Linen pants	Linen	Wrinkles easily. Press flat while slightly damp for the smoothest finish.
Denim	Linen	Heavy fabric. Lay it flat and press rather than steaming on the hanger.
Silk or very fine trousers	Silk	Gentle steam only, held a little away from the fabric.
Not sure	Silk or Blend	If the label says cool iron, choose Silk. Otherwise start on Blend.

Steam or iron: which is better for pants?

Use both for different jobs. Steam is quicker for refreshing pants between wears, for soft or drapey fabrics, and for wool, which prefers gentle steam to heavy pressure. Pressing is what gives tailored trousers a crisp crease and makes cotton and denim look sharp. If you're only after "not wrinkled," steam. If you want "freshly pressed," press. Our guide to steaming a dress shirt uses the same approach for the other half of the outfit.

A 2-in-1 does both without a board. The SteamerPro steams upright on the hanger, and its PivotPress head turns 90 degrees so you can lay the pants on a table and press with the ceramic plate. The steam is heated inside the body before it reaches the vents, so it comes out fine and dry with no drips or water spots on dark trousers. It's ready in about 15 seconds, and one 80 ml fill gives about 20 minutes of steam, enough for several pairs.

Common mistakes

• Pressing a new crease next to the old one. Always follow the line that's already there.
• Pressing directly on dark wool or polyester. That's how shine happens. Use a pressing cloth.
• Folding pants while they're still warm. Let them cool first.
• Pressing over pocket contents or thick seams too hard. They leave outlines on the front.

FAQ

Can you steam dress pants instead of ironing them?

Yes, for removing wrinkles. Steam on a hanger smooths most dress pants well. It won't create a sharp crease, though, so if you want one, press along the fold afterward.

How do you keep the crease in dress pants?

Press along the existing crease with a pressing cloth, let the pants cool completely before moving them, and hang them by the hem or folded neatly along the crease over a hanger bar.

Can you steam pants while wearing them?

No. Steam is hot enough to burn skin. Take the pants off and hang them up first.

How do you get wrinkles out of pants without an iron?

Hang them in a steamy bathroom, smooth them with your hands, or use a handheld steamer. Our guide to getting wrinkles out without an iron covers more options.

Smooth, well-pressed pants make a whole outfit look put together, and it only takes a few minutes. The SteamerPro 2-in-1 steams pants on the hanger and turns flat to press the crease on any table, no ironing board needed. If you'd like it with the hard travel case, have a look at our bundles.