Steaming is a time efficient and easy way to freshen up your clothes.

Ever come across a situation when you open your closet and all you could find are your wrinkled clothes. Which would be easier: setting up an iron and board, waiting for the iron to reach the right temperature, or simply plunging a steamer, waiting for just 30 seconds, and effortlessly stroking down your clothes? Portable garment steamers does the charm without using much space.

To know more about Garment steamers click here.

Are garment steamers worth it?

If you want your clothes de-wrinkled in a short amount of time, garment steamers are the one you are searching for. Cloth steamers uses high temperature steam and quickly removes wrinkles. It also kills Odor causing bacteria in fabrics.

They use heated water to make steam which could be ready to freshen up your clothes. Steaming can be done with perfection on clothes that may be damaged by ironing.

Steamer is effective for travel, quick ironing and embellishment materials.

Is steaming clothes better than ironing?

Steaming and ironing both depends on the type of fabric you are using.

Steaming can remove wrinkles easy and quick.

You can steam delicate clothes that can’t be ironed, including multi-pleated fabrics, thick jeans, silk, and wool. However, cotton clothes, linen, and tough fabrics require irons for neat pressing.

Steaming:

• Steaming works well for materials that cannot sustain heat. 

• Steaming increases the time gap between washes. It also freshens up the dry-cleaning fabrics that are not suitable for laundry.

• Pillows, heavy mattresses can be steamed and it could be difficult to iron them

• Garment steamers are used to steam curtains, jackets, suits, and materials that could undergo alterations during ironing, such as heavy embroidery and multiple folding pleated fabric.

• Cloth steaming removes bad Odor and kills germs as the temperature can range from 200 degree Celsius.

• If you want to de-wrinkle your clothes within a short time or during a travel steaming is the best solution.

Ironing:

• Heavily wrinkled materials like cotton linen can be iron pressed for a neat crisp look.

• Washing clothes before ironing is necessary since the dirt can cause permanent staining on the fabric

• Read the fabric care label on the dresses and set the required heat before ironing.

• Delicate clothing like silk, velvet and synthetics can’t be ironed since it could melt.

Is steamer better than iron boxes?

Garment steamers (especially handheld portable steamers) can be easy to operate, requires much less space, time efficient compared to iron boxes.

Setting up the appliance

If you are using iron boxes, you will have to set up a firm board or table for the support which requires space. Using steamer requires much lesser space compared to traditional ironing. 

For standing upright ones, the fabric support or hanger is enough for steam pressing. To use handheld portable steamers, you can hang the cloth to be steamed at any comfortable place, such as door knobs or cloth hangers.

Heating time

Normal iron boxes need a heating time of about 2 minutes before use. You should precisely set the temperature for the type of fabric you are using.

The water in the steamers is heated within 30-40 seconds to produce steam.  The temperature can rise to about 200-400 degree Celsius hence saving your quality time.

Spacing

Steamers don’t need much space. Upright steamers need a very little space compared to normal irons.

You can fold and pack handheld portable steam presses in closets and bags.

Perfection

Upon testing steamers are less effective than irons in straightening stubborn wrinkles and folds. 

Ironing is the way to achieve sharp folds and crispy pleats. It gives you neat pressed look for cotton shirts and dresses.

Which brand is best for garment steamer?

• Philips garment steamer has the perfect range of varieties of Garment Steamers for every type in reasonable prices.

From standing upright steamers to handheld portable steamers, Philips steamers heats up quickly. They are safe with fabrics and trust worthy

• Goodcity garment steamers are effective in removing wrinkles quickly. It comes with the removable water tank with 230 ml capacity and runs at least 10 minutes without continuous refilling.

• Black and Decker handheld portable garment steamer comes with 1500-watt power. The adjustable steam settings are suitable for different fabrics. The lockable steam button is one of its special features. It comes with 260ml water tank with anti-calc feature to prevent mineral deposits.

We recommend to check out this Top 5 Best Steamer Available in Amazon.

Do steamers really work on clothes?

Absolutely Yes. Steamers can actually de-wrinkle your clothes in a simple yet effective way.

Handheld steamers are the best solution for wrinkle free clothes while travel. They are very effective for smaller dresses like shirts and delicate fabrics

Standing upright steamers are useful for home-based laundry when you have to use it for large number of clothes.

Which cloth is used in steamer?

Silk:

Delicate fabrics like silk can be steamed. However, it is necessary to read the maintenance instructions if the fabric before steaming.

The steam nozzle should be kept at a short distance from the fabric with low heat. While steam pressing, it is advisable to steam from top and move downwards.

Polyester:

Polyester can be safely steamed. Most portable steam iron have special settings for polyester steam freshening.

It advised to read the fabric care instructions for better results.

Woolen clothes

Wool needs a low heat steam. Nozzle should be used at a short distance.

Woolen clothes can shrink with high heat. Minimal heat is safe to prevent from fabric damage.

Velvet

 Manufacturers recommend steaming velvet but some velvet fibers are sensitive to heat. So, try steaming your velvet clothes at some corner of the fabric.

Denim

Denims and thick cotton clothes are perfect fabrics for steaming. Using steam board can give you the best results for these clothes.

What clothes can’t be steamed?

Sued clothes, waxed jackets, leather and fabrics with plastic materials are not suitable for steaming

 The heat from the steamers could melt these types of clothes, causing damage. If you have any doubts on the sustainability of fabric to heat, try steaming a corner of the fabric before full steaming.

Garment steamer for beginners?

Step1: Fill the water tank

Remove the water tank and fill it with water to the maximum level. Use soft water as hard water may cause mineral deposition. Moreover, distilled water is recommended for prolonged life of the appliance.

For handheld and portable steamers, remove the tank from the steamer, pour water and put it back. Make sure to check for proper locking of the tank to prevent from leakage.

For upright and standing steamers, you can pour water directly in to the tank.

Then plug in the steamer.

Step 2: Hang your clothes

Hanging your clothes is the right way to use the steamer effectively. For standing steam machines, are provided with hangers

For handheld portable steamers, hanging on your own comfortable places with power sockets nearby is enough (like hooks, curtain rods and door knobs)

Step 3: Grab and stretch your garments while steaming 

Grab the bottom hem of the fabric and slightly stretch it to achieve quick, neat, and fresh steamed clothes.

Step 4: steaming 

Press and hold the steam button for portable steamers for continuous steam, while releasing the button stops steaming.

Upright steamers can produce continuous steam. Move the hand nozzle in continuous strokes from top to bottom downwards while holding the steamer against the fabric.

Step 4: let it dry

After steaming, the clothes may feel damp. Sometimes small droplets can be found due to the water steam. Drying can make clothes look neat.

Pro tips:

• Steaming from inside of the garment gives fine results in t-shirts, blouses and buttoned up shirts.

• Always use hand gloves during steaming as the steam from the water boils are at higher temperatures. Be careful to avoid getting burnt.

• Try using the garment steamers over a table (with steaming pads or towels over the table) horizontally. You can use this method to get rid of creases while de-wrinkling pants.

Prolonged life span of steamers depends upon the water used. Anti-calc technology equips some steam machines to prevent the formation of mineral blockage.

 Distilled water can safeguard the appliance and it is advisable to dry the remaining water from the tank after use of the steamers.