I am a steamer but I am careful not to push the iron across seams that push them, especially a bias seam because it does indeed push it out of line and is harder to deal with in the next step. I use an inexpensive iron, Black and Decker or G.E. If using steam shortens the life of the iron I will just buy another one. It is just to convenient to keep steam in it. I also think we need to be careful about the chemicals added to the manufacturing process of fabric. Lesser quality fabric seems to have more than the better quality fabrics. The chemicals are used to improve the 'hand' of the fabric.