Steamfast SF-407 Upright Clothes Steamer

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.

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.

• 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.
• 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.