Abstract: An improvement in a steam powered pressing iron, in which steam is supplied by a boiler. The steam collects in a steam chamber inside a body 5, and heats the iron. A lever 8 is depressed by a thumbpad 9 to actuate a steam discharge valve 10. The steam discharge valve 10 discharges the steam to a garment being pressed. The improvement includes a steam trap valve 36. The steam trap valve discharges condensate to a discharge return connector 38, through the return hose to the boiler. The steam trap valve 36 is a thermodynamic steam trap, for preventing the flow of hot steam back to the boiler. But when in contact with cold condensate, the steam trap valve 36 automatically permits the flow of condensate back to the boiler. Cold condensate is automatically purged from the iron without operator intervention.