The Best Upright Clothes Steamer To Spruce Up Any Shirt
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Our Picks For The Top Upright Clothes Steamers
- 1. Pure Enrichment Certified Safe Wrinkle-Free Upright Clothes Steamer
- 2. Jiffy J-2000M High Impact Upright Clothes Steamer
- 3. SALAV GS18-DJ/120 Adjustable Hanger Upright Clothes Steamer
- 4. Anthter Auto Off Fabric Upright Clothes Steamer
- 5. Sharper Image Quick Heat Freshening Upright Clothes Steamer
- 6. Steamfast SF-562 Wrinkle Removing Upright Clothes Steamer
- 7. Rowenta Master 360 Adjustable Upright Clothes Steamer
- 8. PurSteam Burn Prevention Upright Clothes Steamer
- 9. Pure Enrichment PureSteam Quick Heat Upright Clothes Steamer
- 10. Conair CompleteSteam Large Capacity Upright Clothes Steamer
It takes just 45 seconds to full heat this upright clothes steamer. The handy device has a 1/2-gallon tank that runs for a full hour, giving you plenty of time to get all of your laundry wrinkle-free. A garment hanger and fabric brush are even included with the machine.
Sanitize While Removing WrinklesThe wheels on this upright clothes steamer make it a cinch to move around any room.
This upright clothes steamer has a long head and wheels that make it easy to use on fixed objects like curtains and upholstery. The 1,300-watt, solid brass heating element provide power as well as durability. Once you've turned it on, it heats up in about 90 seconds and provides up to 90 minutes of steam.
Solid Brass Heating ElementThe heating element on this upright clothes steamer is made from solid brass to provide more durability.
Keep your wardrobe looking sharp with this handy upright clothes steamer. It has a powerful 1500 watts motor and a removable water tank that lasts a full hour before needing to be refilled. The attached hanger is even adjustable, so you can use it with a variety of garments.
Versatile PickThis reliable upright clothes steamer is able to reach temperatures of 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
It takes just 20 seconds for this upright clothes steamer to heat up, which means you'll quickly be able to remove any last minute wrinkles from your outfit before running out the door. The unit is equipped with a large 54-ounce tank and features a built-in stand with hanger.
Economical PickWhen shopping on a budget, this affordable upright clothes steamer is the way to go.
Buying Guide
Though wrinkles are easily pressed out of some fabrics with ironing, not all fabrics do well with direct contact with an iron. A steamer can be a much more convenient, portable alternative to ironing, and it might be the preferred way of de-wrinkling some of your favorite clothing items.
These devices direct a steady flow of steam at your clothing. The steam gently releases wrinkles rather than forcing them out using direct heat. With some fabric, it’s a highly efficient way to refresh clothes that need it.
The key to success with steamers is to make sure they have enough power to do the job. This is found in the steaming power put out by the device itself. A strong heating element is key to this. You can also look at the steam output per minute as a method of comparing two devices against each other.
But if you only occasionally need to remove wrinkles from garments, you may not need the powerhouse you’d get with one you’d use heavily. Although steaming power is always important, you may be able to get away with a steamer that has a smaller water tank and lacks some of the convenience features.
MORE: Steamer vs. iron: How to know which to use on wrinkles
For those who plan to do quite a bit of steaming, though, pay close attention to the capacity of the tank. One that holds a larger amount of water will usually give you more steam time. But some steamers will list the minutes of continuous steam you’ll get from each session.
Removing clothing wrinkles isn’t the only use for a steamer. They can also help you straighten out curtains and other fabrics around the house. Being able to de-wrinkle your drapes without removing them and setting them up on the ironing board is a huge bonus.
What to Look For
- Take a look at the mechanism you’ll use to control the steam. When you have attachments or nozzles in one hand and need the other free to maneuver your fabric, you may find a hand-operated mechanism inconvenient. Some come with foot pedals to control the steam for that reason.
- Steamers don’t work equally on all fabrics. Although steam can remove wrinkles easily from lighter-weight fabrics, you’ll likely find that fabrics like wool or denim need an iron to get good results.
- Where steamers really shine is with sensitive fabrics like cashmere and silk. A steamer will not only easily remove wrinkles from these fabrics, but they won’t damage the fabric, which is always a risk when ironing.
- Portability is essential, especially if you’re using your steamer on curtains. Many steamers now come with wheels attached to make it easy to move around. You’ll also find simply removing it from storage and setting it up is easier with wheels. Check out our reviews for the best handheld steamers for something smaller.
- Use only distilled water in the water tank of your steamer. Tap water will make it tougher to clean, as well as possibly reducing its lifespan. The purer the water you use, the better.
- You’ll need to be able to hang your clothing items to steam them. Many steamers have a built-in clothing hanger to make this easy. One bonus feature is a hanger that swivels around to make it easy to position your clothes at every angle. If such a hanger is included, keep in mind you’ll need clips to hold pants, shorts and skirts.
- One handy feature on some steamers is a button that lets you pause the steam if you need to take a brief break from your de-wrinkling for any reason.
- Although it’s not necessary, a steamer with attachments can make things easier. Some have a dedicated attachment that helps you press creases. Some steamers also come with extras like a fabric brush or an ironing board.
More to Explore
How to use a clothes steamer the right way
With a little basic knowledge, using a steamer can be a breeze. Here are some tips to keep in mind that will maximize your steaming experience.
Use Distilled Water
The best steamer will work optimally with distilled or filtered water. Gagliardi explained why to Reader’s Digest.
“Tap water includes calcium and magnesium, minerals that will cause a crusty buildup that can clog the iron or steamer. Instead, use deionized, distilled or demineralized water,” she explains. “This will prolong the life of your iron or steamer.”
Additionally, minerals in tap water may end up leaving marks on your clothes that can be difficult to remove.
Pull Down On Your Clothes
Steamers work best on taut fabrics. This means that you’ll need to get a firm grasp on the fabric and pull it down so that it’s stretched tight as you steam. If you skip this step and just steam your clothes as they hang free, it’s possible they’ll revert to being wrinkled again.
Don’t Apply Steamers Directly To All Fabric
Unlike an iron, even the best steamer isn’t meant to be used directly on all fabric. With more delicate fabrics like silk and chiffon, it’s best to keep the steamer at least an inch away from the fabric to avoid watermarks and burns. For heavier fabrics like linen and heavy cotton, it’s okay to use the steamer directly on the fabric.
Clean Your Steamer
Even if you are using distilled water, you’re going to have to give your steamer a proper clean a few times a year to eliminate buildup. To do so, pour distilled vinegar into the tank of the steamer, allow it to heat up fully, and then release the steam over a sink until all the vinegar is gone. Next, repeat the process with distilled water. Now your steamer is clean and ready for the next time your go-to dress is too wrinkly to throw on!
– by Lauren Alexander