Garment Steamers

Steaming is a gentle way of removing wrinkles and odors from fabric. It is faster than ironing and helps extend the life of your clothing.

Garment Steamers
This is an example of a small handheld steamer  or travel steamer.  Pros Lightweight. Easily packed for travel. Inexpensive. Cons Prone to breakage because of its lightweight construction (mostly small models). Models with less than 1000 watts are not very powerful. More prone to leakage than large models, especially since the tank and steamer are all in one place.	Commercial grade steamers  are good for home or office use. Pros More durable than a hand-held models. Can handle large jobs such as curtains and upholstery. Works fast because of high wattage. Large tank means fewer refills. More power means more continuous steam -- faster results. Cons Bulky, even with a telescoping pole. Takes up more storage space. More maintenance, as the tank must be cleaned. More costly. Needs time to heat up.

Upright Model Features

• Durability
• Get a model with a die-cast aluminum exterior housing.
• Power
• If you are investing in a more powerful grade machine don't skimp on power.
• Choose a model with 1500 watts or more for optimal performance and speed.
• Ease of use
• Clear, removable tanks (minimum 1-gallon capacity) for easy cleaning and refilling.
• An extendible telescoping pole that can collapse completely for storage.
• Flexible hose of a good length for maximum mobility.
• Wheels for easier movement to and from the job.
• Heat up speed: it should take less than 60 seconds.
• Auto shutoff is a great safety feature.
• Cost
• $50 and up for average-capacity models.
• Best industrial-quality steamers around $150+.
• Keep in mind that a better model may save time and money on dry cleaning bills in the long run.

Hand-held Model Features

• Extra Features
• Combination fabric steamer and dry iron option.
• Variable soleplate temperature control.
• Integrated lint/fabric brush.
• Dual voltage for travel.
• Power
• Cheaper models have less than 500 watts.
• For optimum power, go as high as possible (maximum is usually 1000 watts).
• Ease of Use
• Continual steam trigger for maximum wrinkle-removal.
• Large removable water reserve for easy cleaning.
• Mini kickstands are a nice safety feature and a convenient way to store the steamer while it's not in use.
• Cord Length
• Should be more than three feet for mobility.
• Cost
• Handheld  models will cost $20 and up.

Major Brands

Related Products

Irons	Washing Machines	Clothes Dryers	Lint Removers	Fabric Refresher