Frequently asked questions about garment steamers

A garment steamer uses hot steam to fill and relax textile fibers, removing wrinkles without damaging them. Instead of a hot iron that makes direct contact, the boiler heats water and sends steam through a nozzle onto the garment. The steam “fills” the fibers and makes wrinkles disappear.

Much safer for delicate fabrics (silk, satin, wool, chiffon, lace)

Ready to use much faster. Ready to go in just 25 seconds.

Easier to use - No ironing board needed and very easy to handle thanks to its lightweight design.

Eliminates 99% of all bacteria in textiles, removing odors and freshening up clothes. Spent an evening in a smoky room, by a campfire, or at a gourmet dining table? Steam all the odors out of your garment without having to wash it.

That depends on your goals and how you use it:

A garment steamer is better for textile fibers because the steam does not flatten or damage the fibers, and there is no risk of scorch marks.

A garment steamer is faster and easier to use, but if you are a huge fan of ironing, iron almost every day, and know exactly what you are doing, you will prefer ironing to steaming because it produces sharper results (especially on very stiff fabrics). However, if you are not a fan of ironing and often avoid this chore, you will fall in love with how a garment steamer works.

Steamers are ideal for delicate fabrics, while an iron is ideal for creating crisp finishes on stiff cotton shirts.

This varies by model, but high-quality handheld steamers are ready to use within 25 seconds, while high-quality professional (upright steamers) are ready within 40 to 60 seconds.

The STEAMRS clothing steamers are designed for speed and power, and heat up and become ready for use the fastest.

That is a frequently asked question - and the answer is: it depends.

• With soft water, tap water is often perfectly fine.
  
• With hard water, there is a risk of limescale buildup, blockages, and reduced performance. Just like with your kettle and coffee maker, you need to descale it from time to time.
  
• Many brands recommend using (partially) demineralized or distilled water, or creating mixtures (50/50) to limit buildup.
  
• STEAMRS luxury garment steamers (the handheld steamers + the Professional steamers) have a special anti-limescale coating on the inside, which makes these steamers unique. As a result, limescale will build up much more slowly, allowing you to enjoy your steamer for longer. Nevertheless, it is still necessary to descale it every six months to keep the steamer working properly.

Important: rinse and descale your steamer regularly according to the instructions for use; this extends its lifespan.

Regular maintenance is crucial. Here are some guidelines:

• Planning not to use the appliance for a while and leave it unused? Always empty the water tank after use to prevent stagnant water. Are you going to use it again the next day? Then you can simply leave the tank filled in the steamer.
  
• Descale the steamer with vinegar at least once every six months.

This maintenance keeps the steamer steaming optimally and extends its lifespan.

If you notice that your garment steamer is no longer working as well as it did before, it is time to descale it. Vinegar is an effective and natural way to remove limescale.

• Mix 1 cl of vinegar (at least 12% acetic acid) with water in the water reservoir.
• Steam with the garment steamer until the water reservoir is empty. Caution: do not steam onto textiles, as vinegar can cause stains. Hold the garment steamer over the sink to prevent stains.
• Repeat this process 2 times
• Refill the water tank with fresh, clean (filtered) water and steam again until the tank is empty. This ensures that any remaining limescale residue is thoroughly rinsed away. Still do not steam onto textiles.

Generally, yes - garment steamers are suitable for many types of fabric, from silk to cotton and synthetics. The only fabrics you should not use a steamer on are: leather, suede, and velvet.

If you are unsure about steaming, take the following precautions:

• First test on a small area when dealing with particularly delicate fabrics
  
• Use a lower steam setting or less intensity for very delicate fabrics you are unsure about

Yes - that is a popular additional use. Many users steam:

• Curtains and sheers
• Furniture covers (chairs, sofas)
• Cushions or bedding
• Stuffed animals
• Table linens
• Even fabrics in the car or camping textiles

Yes, steam is hot enough to cause burns (100+ ˚C), so safety is important:

• Never steam a garment while you are wearing it.
  
• Never touch the nozzle or steam jet with bare skin
  
• Use a steam glove for extra protection during long sessions
  
• Turn off the device when setting it down or taking a short break

So the steamer can certainly burn you, so be careful. On the other hand, the steamer is completely safe to use on clothing without any risk of scorch marks.

On this page, you will discover which steamer best suits you, based on the following factors:

• How often you steam (occasionally, weekly, every day)
• What type of clothing you often steam (delicate, business, thick fabrics)
• Where you will use the steamer (travel / home / professional)
• How many garments you want to steam per session
• Which features are important to you (descaling, multiple settings, design, reservoir)

Yes - The hot steam helps neutralize unwanted odors and kill bacteria (or dust mites). Ideal for completely freshening up your fabric and skipping unnecessary washes.

That depends on the fabric, the depth of the creases, and the steamer's power. An ordinary garment can often be steamed in less than a minute.

To remove wrinkles, it is important to press the steam head against the fabric and use your free hand to ensure that the fabric is pulled taut.

To simply freshen up the fabric, hold the steamer slightly away from the fabric. This allows the steam to penetrate the textile fibers more effectively and freshen them up.

Possible causes & solutions:

• Not enough water in the reservoir → refill.
• Blockage → clean or descale.
• Press the water reservoir in more firmly; the appliance cannot draw in water.
• Boiler or internal mechanism is broken → contact customer service.