Clothes Steamers:
The Beginner’s Guide

The definitive guide to clothes steamers provides a high-level overview of what to look for, what to expect, and recommendations for what to buy.

High-Level Overview

A clothes steamer also referred to as a handheld steamer, hand steamer, garment steamer or steamer, is used to quickly remove wrinkles from garments and fabrics with the use of steam.

Top brands for steamers are: Rowenta, Conair, Shark, Sunbeam, and Jiffy.

Generally, they are used for Jackets, Dresses, Curtains, and Sports Coats but can loosen the fused lining and cause puckering.

It is recommended as a supplement to ironing and does not replace one.

Included in the guide is: what to know and expect, best uses, recommendations and also some pro-tips.

What to Know and Expect

Below are some items to know before getting a steamer and what to expect before making the purchase or using a steamer.

• Will not get heavy wrinkles out
• Can loosen the lining and cause puckering
• Use bottled or distilled water – tap water can cause clogs and issues
• Make sure the water level is not low or too full
• Use on Silk, wool, polyesters, cotton
• Does not clean clothes
• Not as crisp or sharp as Ironing
• Will be a little damp after steaming, allow about 5-10 minutes to dry

Best uses:

Below are the best uses for a steamer.

• Traveling for business
• People who do not like to iron or do not know how to iron
• Jackets, Blazers, Dresses, and Curtains
• T-shirts to iron out creases
• Delicate fabrics such as Silk, Chiffon, and velvet
• Hard to get places such as collars, pockets, and folds

Top Recommended Travel, Portable, handheld, and Budget-Friendly Steamers

Lemontec Portable Travel Garment Steamer

• Price is ~ $30
• Highly recommended, heats up quick and easy to use
• This is the one that most people we know use

Hilife Steamer

• Price is ~ $30
• Top reviewed on Amazon – seems to fit the bill
• Amazon Best Seller with over 72,000 reviews

Top Recommended Professional and Mid-High Price

J-2000 Jiffy Garment Steamer with Plastic Steam Head

• Price is ~$220
• Top reviewed on Amazon – seems to fit the bill
• This is the one that clothing stores use professionally
• Over 3,500 reviews with a 4.6/5.0 on Amazon

ESTEAM Personal Handheld Steamer

• Price is ~$75
• Amazon Choice with over 1,300 reviews and 4.4/50

Pro-tips

Below are pro-tips to get the most out of the clothing steamer and get you setup working as a pro.

• Use distilled or bottled water as tap water can clog and cause issues long-term
• Apply pressure when steaming a suit jacket to avoid puckering
• Delicate fabrics such as Silk, Chiffon, and velvet – keep the nozzle from touching the fabric,
• You can steam inside out to avoid damaging
• Steam from inside or in the clothes and outwards  
• Place pads behind clothing that is dense
• Use additional nozzles, rollers, and clips to help with specific fabrics or to apply pressure

Lifehacks

If you are in a pinch and need to remove wrinkles without a steamer or iron:

• Splash some water on the clothes and put them in a dryer for a few minutes
• Hand the clothes in the bathroom near the shower and run the shower on hot to get steam

Overall, this is a most-have accessory to your arsenal, especially for important meetings, interviews, or formal functions such as weddings, dates, or dinner parties. A steamer will quickly and easy spruce up your outfit, while also protecting your delicates from damage. For $30, the Lemontec Portable Travel Garment Steamer would be the easy choice to have.

FAQ’s

• How long does it take to steam clothes?
  • It varies, but on average it takes 10 minutes to steam clothes.
• What should I look for in a good clothes steamer?
  • It is best that you opt for a garment steamer that can promise multiple features. You can check on the features and attachments, like brushes, steam settings, collapsible handles & heats, etc. You should buy a garment steamer that comes with automatic turn-off technology.
• Do Clothes steamers work and are they are worth it?
  • A garment steamer is a great addition (or alternative!) to a traditional steam iron for quickly removing wrinkles and freshening fabrics. It works wonders on clothing made of soft or delicate materials, like flowing skirts and silky blouses, sequined tops and other difficult-to-press items.
• Are Clothes steamers better than irons?
  • Irons work better than steamers with bulkier, stiffer fabrics. While steamers can be used on stiffer garments, irons are often preferred for those trying to remove wrinkles from these fabric types.