Garment Steamers? Do you use one, any recommendations?

15 years ago

For Christmas last year I bought an inexpensive garment steamer from Macy's for my son. He usually wears a suit to work and I thought he could use a steamer. And if he didn't like it I was only out $40.00.

Well I am surprised because he loves it. But then he explained his reasons - he doesn't have to get out the ironing board and iron, he can leave the steamer in his bathroom, it's quicker and easier to use. He does admit that his shirts aren't as crisp as when he uses his Rowenta and steam irons them. But since he puts a suit coat on it's 'good enough'.

I'm thinking of buying one for myself and I was wondering if anyone here uses one and if there are any special features that I should look for.

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Comments (7)

dotmom
15 years ago
Why not get the same kind you gave your son? You have his testimony about his liking it. A steamer is on my want list, for the same reasons your son likes his. Not having to get the ironing board and setting it up, dig out the iron, do the chore, then put everything away again, just to iron one piece of clothing.
cynic
15 years ago
Back when I traveled and had to bring suits with me, they inevitably got wrinkled and I bought a steamer. It worked. However I soon found out you do *not* use tap water in it after it spit some buildup out onto my clothes. Fortunately it was in a spot where it didn't show too much so it wasn't tragic. The other thing I didn't like about it was leaving the clothes damp. I quit using it and started using a hair dryer to remove the wrinkles. Worked every bit as well as a steamer, didn't leave the clothes damp and during the winter, the heated clothes felt good. Just use low heat on it unless you're in a big hurry or it's heavy material. One less appliance and more money in the pocket.
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If you want nice crisp results, especially around cuffs and collars, a steamer by itself isn't going to do what you want. You might consider a steam generator iron, which will greatly reduce the amount of time you spend ironing, and deliver superior results. IMO, it's just amazing how much easier and faster ironing becomes when your iron is delivering copious clouds of steam. Everyone who has ever tried my steam generator iron, has gone out and purchased one for themselves. You'll still need an ironing board, but ironing will become so much easier. The link below will take you to the Rowenta Steam Generator web page, but there are a number of brands out there. Do a google search and you'll find lots of choices. I got my Rowenta from Amazon, who seemed to have as good a price as anyone out there. Here is a link that might be useful: Rowenta Steam Generator Iron
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I have a standing Rowenta one (I got it a few years ago at BB&B, not only with a coupon, but with some promo they had at that time for the steamer giving me a BB&B gift card with the purchase!). I got it because I'm lousy at ironing (!), and because we have some articles of clothing that need to be "de-wrinkled" after laundering, without being perfectly smooth and pressed (if that makes sense). It works well for what it does, and I'm glad I have it for some things. DH has a bunch of cotton, button-down shirts that are supposed to be slightly wrinkled when worn, slightly being the operative word! I can smooth them out with the steamer, without giving them that freshly ironed crispness. I wouldn't get one in place of an iron (for example, you'd still need an iron to do napkins, tablecloths, a more "crisply" pressed shirt, or pants with a crease....), but it's nice to have one, too.
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dotmom
15 years ago
Hair Dryer!! Another slap on the forehead....why didn't I think of that, moment. I'm going to try that before I spend the money on a steamer.
maire_cate
Original Author
15 years ago
That's OK Dotmom - I'm slapping my forehead too. Using a hair dryer never occured to me either but what a neat idea when you're traveling!

I don't dry DH's dress shirts in the dryer, I just hang them in my laundry room and every now and then I've just used my steam iron as a substitute steamer.
oldgardener_2009
15 years ago
I used a steamer for years. Just hang the garment up, stretch it down taut with one hand while you steam with your other hand. Works great.
jannie
15 years ago
I have a steamer but it's very tempermental. Doesn't always heat and sometimes spits water out. I don't like it. It had been a gift from my Mom back in the days when I did a lot of sewing. o I don't use it. Now I'll iron or throw clothing in the dryer briefly to get out wrinkles.
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
15 years ago
oh yes we have a few differnet ones, one that my husband always packed in his travel case when he was traveling.
I keep one in my laundry room too.
The best ones are the big professional ones like they use in clothing stores. My sister owned a clothing store for years and they would steam all the new clothes as they arrived because they were always wrinkled. She now has the professional steamer at home and used it often. It works great for curtains right on the rod.

I tell you what this is an awesome deal on one of the big floor stand type at Macy's. It is a floor stand model and is on sale for $17.99 reduced from $60.
HoMedics PS-200 Garment Steamer

and they have a Rowenta one on sale for $37 from $130
Rowenta IS8050

I may have to get one at that price I have been wanting one of the floor stand models.

My new washer and dryer both have the steam feature on them and we do use those often also.

Garment Steamers? Do you use one, any recommendations?

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dotmom

cynic

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Garment Steamers? Do you use one, any recommendations?

Comments (7)

dotmom

cynic

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maire_cateOriginal Author

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