(MOBILE, Ala.) Do you hate ironing? It can time consuming. A revolutionary green dryer ball called Mr. Steamy says it can save you time and money. We put it to the test.
You wouldn't dry your clothes with an iron and you wouldn't iron your clothes with a dryer. Mr. Steamy, the As Seen on TV product, guarantees it can do both at the same time. It promises to get rid of wrinkles. The infomercial says that as your dryer heats up, Mr. Steamy steams up to release wrinkles and creases, so dress shirts come out neat and professional.
We pressed Paragon Cleaner's owner Joey Searcy for a test, because with more than 30 years experience in the laundry business, he knows a little something about wrinkles.
"That ball bounces around in the dryer and it bounces off that garment to make that garment looked less wrinkled," says Searcy.
After Joey filled up Mr. Steamy with 4 ounces of water, he handed over two wet shirts, and we were off. The two shirts were our test subjects. One was tossed in the dryer without Mr. Steamy and the other went in with Mr. Steamy. Once the shirts left the dryer, it was time for Joey's inspection.
"The steam can get wrinkles out excellent if you've got 100-130 pounds of steam, but if you've only got a ball with steam in a dryer, you won't get the same effect," says Searcy.
Joey has inspected thousands of shirts with crinkles and creases.
"You're guaranteed to get the wrinkles out with an iron," says Searcy.
But for those who hate to iron, does Mr. Steamy get lost in the wash?
"It's a dud," says Searcy.
We tried to contact the company and have not heard back yet. By the way, the product cost $10.
