Steamer

Steam is an effective way to remove wrinkles in clothes – just ask any professional cleaner. A handheld steamer is not only faster than an iron, but it doesn’t come with the risk of damaging your fabric or burning your clothes. If you’re looking into a steamer for your laundry room, review the information below before you buy in order to make an informed decision.

Types

Garment steamers come in three types. Floor models were originally found in dress shops and were used to steam wrinkles from clothing in order to display it.

Handheld garment steamers are more popular for at-home use, as they don’t take up a lot of space and can be plugged in anywhere. Finally, portable steamers presented a highly compact option that can be used during trips, as clothes are likely to become wrinkled between the packing and unpacking stages. All three types work quite well.

Common Uses

Steamers shouldn’t be confined to the laundry room. While they work well to remove wrinkles in everyday clothing, such as pants, shirts, jackets, suits, and dresses, they can also be used for a number of textiles around the house. Using a steamer on bedding, including quilts, comforters, sheets, and duvets, can remove wrinkles and freshen the fabric between washes. When it comes to mattresses, a steamer can add freshness since washing isn’t available. Some steamers may be hot enough to kill mites, as well, but check the maximum temperature of the machine to be sure. Drapes, furniture, and car upholstery can also benefit from steam every now and then.

Price

Many handheld steamers sell for under $100 USD. Low-end models with fewer features may sell for as low as $20 USD; however, the most expensive floor models can go for over $150 USD. You should determine how much you want to spend before you set out to buy a steamer. You may have to negotiate features if you don’t want to spend a lot.

Features

It’s important to assess your needs in a steamer when looking at the available features. If you want to use your steamer while travelling, a lightweight, compact model is crucial, otherwise you’ll end up unable to fit it in your suitcase. Business travellers find these types of steamers particularly useful. On the other hand, if you want a steamer for at-home use and you already own an iron, you might not need a top-end model. Most garment streamers don’t do the same job as an iron – for instance, they don’t work well with details like cuffs and collars. You might want to consider an iron, if you don’t already have one.

Cautionary Measures

A steamer should not be used on materials that should not be exposed to either moisture or heat. If the label on the garment indicates “DRY CLEAN ONLY,” steaming can actually damage the fabric or leave moisture stains. It’s a good idea to test out using a steamer on a small area of fabric before you proceed to steam the whole garment. Colored clothes items can run. If you’re not sure, take the item to the dry cleaner’s.