Here's a review I took from another forum, I'm also looking at the Rowenta, but the 8100 has problems with keeping it's cap on, still shopping, but hope this helps: Saw this thread and thought I'd give my 2 cents. I have worked for commercial fashion photographers for years. I have had the opportunity to work with each of the brands discussed here and have always gone back to the Jiffy J-2. The J-2 has a stand by mode, keeping the water heated, activating steam when needed. It also has an optional tailor's head, which is metal and has rounded edges, eliminating many of the creases created by the blunt edges of many of the other plastic steamer heads. Being metal, it heats very well and can be used for heavy fabrics on an ironing board. Also, there is no sputtering of steam and is very easy to disassemble to clean calcium deposits. I have owned mine since 1981 and have yet to have any problems with the J-2. The J-1, which does not have the stand by mode and is more reasonably priced, offers the metal tailor's head. Besides using my steamer for the obvious, I also use it to block wool hats and refresh knitted garments and woolens. I lightly steam woolens, then brush, eliminating the need for dry cleaning after each wear. Hope this helps, JMHO itsallused.

Hi, Just open your phone book and look for blind cleaning service. I had Duette's for years and had them cleaned every Spring. That was for 8 years. Just find one that does not pull up in a van and clean them on your driveway. I have had that done and they are not very good. I found a service who would take them back to their shop and put them in a vat, opened all of the way. The process is Ultrasonic, much like denture cleaners. The results were flawless! I move into this place and it is all mini blinds with 10 years of smoke. They came back like brand new. It is worth the $. Best of luck.

Hi jazzie! I joined this forum just to answer your question. :-) I have an Esteam clothes steamer and I would recommend it to anyone. It is pricey- about $80, but well worth it, because it is a workhorse that really does the job. Most hand-held travel steamers are worthless. But this one shoots a strong steady stream of penetrating steam and I use it not only for clothing, but for steaming long lengths of fabric when I do theatrical staging. So it gets much more than the standard use, and is always reliable. You can use regular tap water in it. In fact, hard water creates stronger steam. I clean out the scale once in a while by running it with some white vinegar mixed into the water. I'm on my second one in 10 years, only because someone who was using my first one let it boil dry and it burned itself out. It doesn't have an automatic shut-off. Probably it's only weakness. Anyway, you can usually buy it locally. I got mine at a big sewing machine sales/repair place in town. Also available on oline through Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Jiffy-Steamer-personal-clothes-steamer/dp/B0001AG5X0 Some other testimonials here: http://www.jiffysteamer.com/Testimonials/index.asp Here is a link that might be useful: Esteam website

I would recommend washing as one would a pillow. would put it inside a pillow case and toss it into the machine on a gentle cycle. When the cycle is over, check how wet it is still. If still very full of water, set it on a spin cycle. Toss into the dryer on a low setting or just an air setting. Sometimes a pair of cloth gym shoes or a few tennis balls help keep it fluffy.