Garment steamers have made our lives easy in many different ways. While their work is essentially what iron does, they are far more accessible and valuable than iron. You can not only use a garment steamer to remove wrinkles from your clothes but also steam garments that might not be suitable for ironing. This buying guide for the best garment steamer will take you on a steamy ride to the land of garment steamers and how to pick the best one for yourself.
Are Garment Steamers Better than Irons?
A garment steamer smooths out wrinkles and straightens clothes without ever coming into contact with the fabric or cloth. This means that you can easily smooth out your cashmere sweaters or nylon dresses without having to damage them with an iron. You can use a garment steamer to give a crispy, clean look to formal wear like collared shirts and blazers that can not be easily achieved by an iron.
Garment steamers are also easier to use as they get heated really quickly and it only takes a few seconds to steam your clothes. All of these features make garment steamers stand out as better than iron. However, there's a catch: garment steamers can not be used to steam a lot of clothes at the same time, unlike an iron.
How To Choose the Right Garment Steamer For Your Clothes?
Like every other commodity, you need to make informed choices when investing in a garment steamer. Depending on your need and use, we can help you pick the right garment steamer for yourself. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself that will help you choose the perfect tool for steaming your clothes.
1. Which type of garment steamer do you need?
There are two different kinds of garment steamers available in the market: upright steamer and handheld steamer.
Upright Garment Steamer
An upright steamer is heavier than a handheld steamer because it comes with a water tank at its base. This water tank makes it easy for the steamer to steam clothes for longer. An upright clothes steamer is also usually more powerful than a handheld steamer and comes with a hanger so you can hang your clothes after/during steaming.
Handheld Garment Steamer
On the other hand, a handheld garment steamer is easily portable, lighter, and less bulky than an upright clothes steamer. That is why these steamers are better for traveling and moving around. You can also easily carry one to important events to make sure you look crisp and clean at every moment. These garment steamers have a smaller water tank which is why they are not as powerful as an upright steamer. However, they do get the job done.
Which One to Choose?
Depending on your usage and need, you can either choose an upright steamer for your home or workplace or you can get a handheld unit that you can easily carry around. Identify your needs to make sure you get the right garment steamer for yourself.
2. What is your budget?
Now that you know which kind of steamer you will need, you need to sort out your budget. Handheld steamers are usually less expensive than upright steamers. However, that will not always be the case. The average price of garment steamers ranges from $35 to $200. Look for your desired garment steamer that fits your budget and comes with all the features you need.
3. What features do you need?
Garment steamers come with many different features, depending on the model you buy. One important feature that all garment steamers must have is the auto turn-off that will allow your gadget to turn off when it is not being used. This will save the steamer from getting overworked and will save electricity as well. Besides this, you can look for features such as different kinds of brushes, heat settings, steam settings, adjustable handles, and LED indicators.
4. How long does the steamer take to heat up?
It is imperative to find a garment steamer that does not take a long time to heat up. We understand that a steamer that can quickly get the job done will always be preferred over a slower garment steamer. Smaller units, especially handheld steamers, take less time to heat up.
5. How much energy will the garment steamer use?
Many people fail to prioritize energy conservation while buying electronics. However, as a responsible citizen, you must find out which steamers consume less power and can do their job without compromising on the quality of work. Check the power consumption of your desired model before purchasing the product. If you're buying a large home steamer, you might have to go with more power-extensive models.
FAQ's
Q: Should I buy a garment steamer?
Garment steamers are not the right product for everyone. If you need a quick solution to smoothing out wrinkles in your clothes or giving your clothes a last finishing touch, you should get a garment steamer. However, if your needs go beyond that you might want to invest in iron instead.
Q: Which fabrics can I steam using a garment steamer?
Garment steamers can be used on most fabrics including cotton, wool, silk, and polyester. However, you should use the steamer on a small part of the fabric to ensure it will not damage your clothes. Keep the garment steamer away from anything that can melt i.e. plastic.
Q: Do garment steamers work?
Yes, garment steamers do actually work. They aren't just a fancy tool for clothes, they can help you smooth out wrinkles, collars, sleeves, and other hard-to-iron clothes. Since they only use water to steam your clothes, you don't have to worry about burning your clothes either.
Q: Can a clothes steamer be used on dry-clean-only clothes?Yes, a garment steamer can be used to steam dry-clean-only clothes. The steamer will not only help clean the fabric by killing bacteria but will also get rid of wrinkles giving you the perfect dry-cleaned look for your special attires.