What does Iron Without Steam mean?
Quick Answer
The iron without steam symbol (an iron outline with a crossed-out steam symbol) means you must use a dry iron with the steam function turned off. Water or steam can cause water spots, staining, shrinkage, or permanent texture changes on moisture-sensitive fabrics such as velvet, satin, and certain taffetas. Turn off the steam function and empty the water reservoir before ironing.
Also known as: no steam iron symbol, dry iron symbol, crossed steam symbol, steam crossed out iron, iron no steam sign
Important Warning
Steam may cause water spots or fabric damage
Detailed explanation
The iron without steam symbol (an iron icon with a crossed-out steam symbol) means you must use a dry iron with the steam function completely disabled and the water reservoir empty. Water or steam causes marks on moisture-sensitive fabrics: on velvet and similar pile fabrics, direct steam collapses the pile permanently; on satin, steam creates water spots that dry as visible marks; on certain taffetas and acetates, steam causes irreversible puckering of the weave. This symbol is found on luxury fabrics that are routinely damaged by the steam that most people leave active on their iron.
How to follow the Iron Without Steam symbol:
- 1
Turn off steam function
- 2
Use dry iron only
- 3
Empty water from iron
- 4
Steam can cause water spots or damage
When does this symbol appear on care labels?
- For velvet and velveteen — steam flattens the pile permanently
- For satin, duchess satin, and similar shine fabrics where water spots are highly visible
- For taffeta and certain acetate fabrics that pucker when exposed to steam
- For embroidered items where steam could cause dye bleeding from thread to fabric
Tips and Best Practices
- Turn off the steam function and empty the water reservoir completely before ironing — residual water in the iron continues to produce steam even after you turn off the steam button
- Allow the iron to dry out fully before pressing — residual moisture in the steam chamber can spit water droplets unexpectedly
- For velvet, use a velvet board (a board with raised metal pins) and press from the reverse side — this lifts and preserves the pile during pressing
- Iron on the reverse side of satin and shine fabrics to avoid flattening the surface sheen
What happens if this symbol is ignored
Steam contact with velvet causes immediate and permanent pile collapse in the steamed area. Water spots on satin and acetate dry as ring marks that cannot be removed by re-wetting or pressing. Steam puckering on taffeta is often permanent.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not emptying the water reservoir — the iron continues to produce steam even with the steam button off if water remains in the chamber
- Ironing velvet face-down without a velvet board — the pile is permanently flattened by the iron pressure
- Pressing satin on the right side — the sheen surface marks easily; always iron the reverse side
Common Materials
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Frequently Asked Questions
Related Ironing Symbols
Iron High Heat
Iron at high temperature - up to 200°C (390°F)
Iron Medium Heat
Iron at medium temperature - up to 150°C (300°F)
Iron Low Heat
Iron at low temperature only - up to 110°C (230°F)
Iron With Steam
Iron with steam allowed - steam is safe to use
Do Not Iron
Do not iron - heat will damage the fabric
Iron Any Temperature
Iron at any temperature setting
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