Best Garment Steamer for Home and Professional Use

Back in the day, you had to run put in some serious time running an iron over your clothes or send them out to be professionally cleaned and pressed in order to ensure they looked unwrinkled and neat.  But with the advances made in technology these days, people can now enjoy wrinkle-free clothing using the best garment steamer they own. What used to only be available to professional cleaners is now offered at an affordable price for home use.

There are several styles and models of steamers to choose from, but the three main types include handheld, travel and upright. These devices can offer several benefits for users and can do so much more than keep your clothes looking new.

The garment steamer is a machine that can remove deep creases and wrinkles from clothes and other items such as bedding or drapery. In the past, most people preferred to use irons but this process can be a little time consuming and it usually takes some skill to master, especially if you’re trying to iron complicated garments such as silk dresses or creased pants. With a clothes or garment steamer, this process will be much easier and doesn’t require much know-how.

Buying Guide for a Popular Garment Steamer

While there are several models of garment steamers to choose from, they all function based on the same principles. First off, water is poured into the machine’s reservoir and is heated until it turns into steam. A long hose that’s attached to the base of the machine will transport the steam up into the tube and release it through a nozzle or special attachment. To steam clothing you’ll need to hold the steam head up to the garment to remove creases and wrinkles or pet hair.

If you absolutely loathe ironing or simply don’t have the skill or patience to deal with that time consuming process, even a novice can hold and use a garment steamer and remove wrinkles within just a couple of minutes.

This type of steamer is primarily used for clothing, but it can also be used on other items such as blankets, rugs, pillows, drapes and bedding. A steamer can also be used on couches, chairs and other materials in the home.

Some people prefer to use them on mattresses and pet beds because it’s believed that the steam can remove strong odors and kill dust mites.

Different Models of Top Steamers

A handheld model is usually about the size of a travel mug and is pretty light and compact which makes it easy to store and perfect for travel. It can also be used if you only plan on steaming an outfit or two at a time. These models usually take a couple of minutes to heat up and can hold enough water for fifteen to twenty minutes of use. If you don’t have much storage or you seldom steam your clothing, then this style of steamer is ideal. Consumers love the small, compact design of this highly portable style and they’re also more affordable and easy to transport. However, if you need a steamer for larger jobs in the home a smaller model is not for you. The miniature water tanks must be refilled frequently and these smaller steamers are nowhere near as durable as upright models.

A standing steamer is much larger than handheld steamers and usually stands around five and a half feet tall when they are fully extended. This style is perfect for steaming long apparel such as long pants, coats or dresses. Typically, this style can heat up in under a minute and comes equipped with a much larger water reservoir which allows the steamers to run from one to one and a half hours continuously, before needing a refill. This makes steaming much more convenient, especially if you need to steam a ton of clothes.

Upright models can also work on a variety of fabrics and other items such as upholstery, bedding, drapes and delicate fabrics such as silk or satin. Higher powered models are able to destroy bed bugs and their eggs, in addition to dust mites, fleas and lice. A standing model typically comes with a variety of attachments, including a crease attachment, lint attachment and fabric brush.

An upright model is definitely for you if you’re looking for a steamer that is able to help you accomplish a wide range of tasks such as steaming bedding, drapes and a variety of fabrics and can also help you steam large loads of clothing with ease. Aside from being more efficient and convenient than handheld models, a standing steamer is also more durable and sturdy. If you’re thinking of replacing your iron, a standing model is an option that’s worth considering. Especially if you need a larger water tank for heavy usage. If you’re tight on space it’s important to keep in mind that these models can be pretty bulky and are difficult to store and transport and they’re also a little pricey.

Travel steamers can allow you to look sharp wherever you go. This type of steamer is small enough to fit into an overnight bag or suitcase. The styles and designs can vary, but the basic model features a nozzle that’s directly attached to the model’s water reservoir and the handle. The steam is then released directly from the water tank through the nozzle, instead of a hose. This means that the entire model needs to be held closely to the clothing. A smaller water tank also means you’ll need to refill it more often. Operating times range from ten to fifteen minutes.

Why Garment Steamers are Better Than Irons

A garment steamer is easy to use and has a reputation for quickly getting rid of stubborn creases and wrinkles. Some people even choose to replace their irons and use a garment steamer exclusively. These steamers have many advantages over irons and other alternatives. Aside from being more efficient they can also help to reduce wear and tear on your clothing and also have the ability to restore certain types of fabrics. They also allow you to save a ton of money on professional cleaning services.

Constantly washing your favorite clothes can wreak havoc on your fabric’s fibers and can also reduce the lifespan of your clothes. Additionally, it can also be difficult to determine the exact temperature of an iron and if the setting is too high it can actually burn and ruin certain fabrics such as silk. Using a garment steamer after each wash or instead of an iron can ensure the longevity of your clothing.

Proper care and maintenance of your new steamer is a must, regardless of the type of water you use. Commonly, the manufacturer recommends using distilled water, which helps to reduce calcium build up. More often than not, consumers tend to use tap water because it’s more convenient and this leads to clogs in the steamer’s head and hose. There are a number of solutions to this issue, but mainly it’s all going to involve using the cleaning technique that works best for your model.  Consistency will definitely be key. You won’t have to clean your steamer often, if you use it once or twice a week, but if you’re someone who steams each article of clothing, then we recommend cleaning your steamer at least twice a month. The best method involves using baking soda and warm water, however, pay attention to the care instructions included in the user’s manual and follow these directions closely. If you use an unapproved cleaning method for your steamer and it ends up damaging it, it will not be covered under the warranty.

How a Steamer can Save Your Favorite Clothes

There are plenty of types of fabrics that wrinkle very easily, but they can be damaged if you try to iron them and let’s face it, stuffing it in the dryer for a few minutes before you wear it can be expensive.

As an example, organza and chiffon are delicate materials that are typically found in wedding attire and gowns. Both types of materials are extremely delicate and can be easily flattened and ruined when they’re packed away or when they’re crushed up against your clothing in the closet. To solve this issue you can use a steamer in order to remove wrinkles and restore the fabric, all without ruining the fibers of this gorgeous material. Steamers can also be used to restore the shape of vests, suit jackets, sweaters and all types of knitwear.

Having your clothes professionally cleaned is necessary in order to prevent certain items of clothing from being damaged. While steaming and dry cleaning are two different forms of cleaning, it is possible to refresh your dry clean only clothes using a steamer. These machines are very good at getting rid of strong odors such as tobacco smoke, so if your favorite satin shirt smells bad after a night on the town, you can use your steamer and have it ready to wear again within just a few minutes. Even though you’ll eventually have to take certain delicate items to the cleaners, the steamer can allow you to get a few more uses out of each garment, thus saving you a ton of money on dry cleaning every month.

Buying a garment steamer is definitely a good investment, especially if you love your clothes and want to make sure they always look their best and they’re also the perfect purchase for people who hate ironing or spending a ton of money each week at the cleaners. While some of these models can be a little pricey, these machines will pay for themselves in the long run, considering the kind of money you’d have to fork over to have them professionally pressed. In order to save even more money consider purchasing a steamer online.

Remember, if you have a large home, an upright model will be the perfect choice that can be used to keep your home and clothes looking new. Travel or handheld models are also great choices if you don’t steam often or have small jobs to do around the home.

J2000 Jiffy Garment Steamer Review

The J200 garment steamer by Jiffy is a versatile model that features a huge water tank, no drip valve technology and an automatic shut off feature that shuts the machine down once it detects an empty water tank. This model is lightweight and easy to use and works well on a wide range of fabrics. It can also be used on drapes, rugs, carpeting and upholstery. Equipped with a large pole that works on drapes and long apparel, this model is very versatile and can be easily transported from room to room. The large water tank is the biggest selling point for this model.

Click Here to Read the Full J2000 Jiffy Garment Steamer Review

 Sunbeam S1500 Garment Steamer Review

The S1500 garment steamer by Sunbeam is a popular model that’s able to heat up in less than a minute. The steamer’s patented cool touch hose is designed to prevent scalding, although some consumers reported that gloves are still necessary for larger jobs. This is a smaller steamer that’s not really designed to handle a heavy workload. Many users have found that this steamer is perfect for cleaning bedding, freshening up mattresses and it also works well to remove lint, and pet hair.

Click Here to Read the Full Sunbeam S1500 Garment Steamer Review

Rowenta IS6300 Master Valet Garment Steamer Review

The Master Valet IS6300 garment steamer by Rowenta heats up in just sixty seconds and comes equipped with a large eighty-one ounce water reservoir. Using 1550 watts of power this model can handle a wide range of jobs around the home. This steamer also comes with the roll and press feature which is a huge added convenience that speeds up the entire steaming process. A steamer that was designed with convenience in mind, it’s also equipped with a foot operated power switch.

Click Here to Read the Full Rowenta IS6300 Master Valet Garment Steamer Review