A fabric steamer is a must-have tool for keeping clothes, drapes, and other fabrics looking their best. This versatile device emits a powerful steam to relax wrinkles and refresh fabric.
Unlike ironing, using a steamer is simple, quick, and safe for delicate items. With the right techniques, you can easily de-wrinkle garments, sanitize fabrics, and more.
This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know about buying and using a fabric steamer like a pro!
What is a Fabric Steamer?
A fabric steamer is an alternative to ironing clothes. It eliminates wrinkles by emitting hot steam onto fabric. The combination of heat and moisture relaxes the fibers.
Inside the base, water is heated to create steam. This steam travels through a hose and out of the steamer head. As you pass the head over fabric, the steam penetrates and smooths wrinkles.
Fabric steamers are appreciated for their ease of use compared to ironing. They also pose little risk of burning delicate fabrics. You have more flexibility to refresh hanging items or steam in sections.
Benefits of Using a Fabric Steamer
Here are the main advantages of using a fabric steamer at home:
- Saves time – Steaming is much faster than setting up an ironing board and ironing clothing piece by piece. You can quickly steam garments while hanging.
- Portability – Many fabric steamers are compact and lightweight. You can steam clothes anywhere – not just an ironing board.
- Safety – With no hot metal plates, there is less risk of burns from a fabric steamer. You can safely refresh delicate fabrics.
- Hygiene – The heat from steam also sanitizes fabrics and eliminates odors. It’s great for freshening bedding, upholstery and more.
- Convenience – It’s easy to steam sections of hanging garments or touch up items as needed without undoing all your hard ironing work.
- Versatility – Steamers can be used to smooth tablecloths, curtains, cushions, and many other fabric items.
How Does a Fabric Steamer Work?
Fabric steamers use the power of steam to relax wrinkled fibers and make fabric look crisp again. Here is an overview of how they work:
- The water reservoir is filled with water, which is heated when the steamer is switched on.
- As the water boils and converts to steam, it travels through plastic steam tubes up to the steamer head.
- The steam head distributes steam evenly across fabric through steam vents as you glide it over garments.
- The steam penetrates fabric, adding moisture and heat. This causes wrinkled fibers to relax and return to their original shape.
- Excess moisture gets absorbed by fabric or evaporated into the air, leaving you with wrinkle-free, fresh looking fabric!
The technology behind a steamer is quite simple – though effective for defeating wrinkles with minimal effort. Now let’s explore the different types available.
Types of Fabric Steamers
There are three main varieties of fabric steamers suitable for home use:
Handheld Steamers
Best for: Travel, small jobs, steaming garments on hangers
- Lightweight and compact
- Fits easily in luggage for traveling
- Good for targeting specific sections
- Typically hold less water than other models
Standing/Upright Steamers
Best for: Larger jobs, vertically steaming hanging garments
- Freestanding floor unit
- Holds more water for longer steam time
- Comfortable for steaming multiple garments
- Ability to steam fragile hanging items
- Provides consistent steam output
Travel Steamers
Best for: Business trips, vacations
- Dual voltage options for international travel
- Fits in a suitcase
- Typically vertical for steaming garments/fabrics
- Compromise between handheld and standing steamers
Below we’ll compare the pros and cons of these steamer types.
Handheld vs. Standing vs. Travel Steamer Comparison
| Feature | Handheld | Standing | Travel |
| Portability | ✅✅✅ | ❌ | ✅✅ |
| Ease of Use | ✅✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Steam Time | ❌ | ✅✅✅ | ✅✅ |
| Power | ✅ | ✅✅✅ | ✅✅ |
| Size of Jobs | ❌ | ✅✅✅ | ✅✅ |
| Water Tank Capacity | Usually under 8 oz | At least 40 oz | At least 11 oz |
Key Takeaways:
- Handheld steamers offer convenience for small, spot jobs but have limited steam time
- Standing steamers are ideal for large and heavy jobs with constant steam
- Travel steamers deliver adequate power for on-the-go steaming
Choose based on your needs. For big jobs or steaming lots of garments, a standing steamer is best. If you’ll only occasionally touch up a few pieces, a handheld could suffice.
Next, let’s go over what to look for when buying a fabric steamer.
Also Read: The Benefits of Using a Clothes Steamer Over an Iron
Buying Guide: What to Look for in a Fabric Steamer
Keep these factors in mind when selecting a fabric steamer:
1. Water Tank Capacity
The water reservoir size impacts steam time before refilling. Larger water tanks allow longer continuous steam.
- Handhelds – At least 6 oz
- Standing – At least 40 oz
- Travel – At least 11 oz
2. Heat Up Time
Faster heat up = faster steam! Look for a heat up time of 2 minutes or less.
3. Steam Control Options
Variable steam is useful for delicate fabrics. Look for steamers with options to adjust the steam intensity.
4. Steam Time Per Fill
More steam time = less downtime refilling. Upright garment steamers offer the most steam time.
5. Power Wattage
Higher wattage increases steam power and temperature. Look for:
- Handheld – At least 1000 watts
- Standing – At least 1500 watts
6. Attachments
Helpful extras include fabric brushes, creaser attachments, and lint removers.
7. Cord Length
A longer power cord offers more flexibility to steam a wider area without unplugging.
8. Warranty
Quality steamers come with 1-5 year warranties.
9. Safety Features
Must-haves include an auto shut off and heat-resistant surfaces.
By keeping these factors and features in mind, you’ll find the best fabric steamer for your household.
How to Use a Fabric Steamer (Step-by-Step Guide)
Using a fabric steamer is very straightforward. Just follow these steps:
1. Read Safety Guidelines
Before anything else, read your steamer’s instruction manual for proper usage guidelines. Pay attention to warnings for avoiding burns or misuse.
2. Fill Water Reservoir
Check water levels and fill the tank if needed. Avoid overfilling. Use distilled or filtered water if possible to minimize mineral deposits.
3. Power On
Plug in the steamer and turn it to the “on” heating position. The heat up time is usually 1-2 minutes.
4. Wait for Steam
Do NOT start steaming right away. Wait until a strong stream of hot steam releases continuously to ensure it’s fully heated.
5. Prep Fabric Properly
Make sure the fabric item is suitable for steaming and properly prepared:
- Give newly washed clothes time to fully air dry first
- Check tags – don’t steam “dry clean only” items
- Hang or lay garments in a way that lets steam penetrate efficiently
- Ensure both sides are equally exposed during steaming
6. Steam!
Holding the fabric taut, slowly pass the steamer head over the fabric at a consistent pace. Keep it 2-4 inches above the fabric. The steam should penetrate fibers to relax wrinkles.
7. Target Tough Wrinkles
Linger over stubborn wrinkles for a few extra seconds to blast them into submission!
8. Allow Fabric to Dry
Avoid pulling or stretching fabric until it dries. This sets the shape and prevents new wrinkles from forming.
And that’s the basics! We’ll now go over some steaming tips and techniques.
Steaming Tips and Techniques
Follow these expert tips to master fabric steaming:
- When finishing a load of laundry, hang items straight from the dryer and steam wrinkles away. The warmth in fabric helps relax wrinkles faster!
- For tough wrinkles, spray a light mist of water before steaming to help heat penetrate deeper.
- Steaming hanging garments? Drape pants over the rod and do one inner leg at a time for the best access.
- Steam both the exterior AND interior of the fabric for at least 10 seconds each to relax wrinkles on both sides.
- For delicate fabrics, hold the steamer further away and test on an inconspicuous area first before proceeding.
- On heavy fabrics like denim, move the steam head slower to give heat more time to penetrate deep wrinkles.
- For best results steaming curtains, triple check the recommended method for your specific fabric. Many need to be steamed while lying flat.
- Ensure all creases in garments get equal steam exposure, focusing on areas prone to wrinkles like collars, sleeve hems and pant legs.
- Let all fabrics cool and dry completely before wearing or putting them away to lock in crisp results.
Now let’s go over some steaming best practices for different fabric types.
Steaming Different Fabric Types
Adjust your technique when steaming various fabrics:
Cotton and Linen
Cotton and linen wrinkle easily but steam very well. Use brisk back and forth motions for standard wrinkle removal. Linger on stubborn folds.
Wool
Wool resists wrinkles but can shrink if overheated. Keep the steamer 6+ inches away and test fabrics first. Gently hover in sections – don’t press down.
Silk
As a delicate fabric, silk requires gentler steaming. Use an intermittent motion keeping the steamer further back. Lightly smooth fabric after steaming instead of pulling.
Polyester and Synthetic Fabrics
These fabrics resist both wrinkling and steaming. It will take longer for steam to relax fibers. Slowly go over sections repeatedly as needed.
Upholstery and Drapes
Use attachments like fabric brushes to apply steam more evenly across large surfaces. For curtains, steam panels while carefully lying flat.
Dress Shirts and Business Wear
Crisply steaming collared shirts, suit jackets and dresses is the ultimate steaming test! Master shirt collars by steaming concave side first. For lined pieces, hover steam inside out as well.
Best Practices for Effective Steaming
Follow these habits for the best possible steaming results:
- Keep the steamer head moving continuously – Pausing in one spot risks heat damage
- Work in sections – Steaming garments in manageable portions makes it easier to penetrate wrinkles
- Alternate direction – Go over each section horizontally AND vertically
- Stretch fabric lightly – Pulling fabric smooth while steaming helps relax fibers
- Target seams & creases – Methodically steam along hem lines, folds, buttons and edges
- Let items fully dry – If garments will be worn or hung immediately, allow a quick dry period first
Put these pointers on repeat for fabulous, wrinkle-free fabric!
Common Steamer Problems and Solutions
While fabric steamers are generally reliable, occasional issues can arise:
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
| No steam output | / Steam control dial is off | • Ensure steam dial is turned on |
| / Tank is empty | • Refill tank | |
| / Faulty heating element | • Descale or replace heating element | |
| / Loose hose connection | • Check/tighten hose fittings | |
| Spitting water | / Tank overfilled | • Empty water until at fill line |
| Uneven steam | / Clogged steam vents | • Clean steam holes |
| Loud noises | / Loose screw or connections | • Check and tighten hardware |
| Leaking | / Loose hose connection | • Check and tighten connections |
| / Worn out seals/gaskets | • Have seals replaced | |
| Short steam bursts | / Mineral buildup in heating element | • Descale heating element |
Care and Maintenance
Like any appliance, some basic care will keep your fabric steamer working efficiently for years.
- Wipe down the exterior after each use
- Empty water tank fully after each use
- Descale heating element monthly following manufacturer’s directions
- Use distilled water to help minimize mineral deposits
- Store steamer with hose secured neatly – don’t bunch it tightly
- Follow all included manufacturer care instructions
Additionally, inspect your steamer routinely for any issues needing repair such as loose connections, faulty switches or worn gaskets. Address any problems promptly to avoid bigger issues down the road.
Safety Tips
While generally safe for use at home if used properly, fabric steamers can pose a scalding risk much like an iron. Please follow these precautions:
- Never leave a warm steamer unattended or within reach of children
- Always unplug and let cool fully before refilling, descaling or packing away
- Don’t overfill the water tank
- Ensure your hands are dry before touching to avoid burns
- Keep flammable items away from the steam area
- Take care to not accidentally steam yourself or any family members!
- Follow all included safety warnings in your steamer’s instruction manual
Get Steaming!
We’ve covered all you need to become a fabric steaming expert!
To recap, fabric steamers provide a simple, quick way to relax wrinkles and refresh fabric using the power of steam. They come in handheld, standing and travel varieties to suit different needs.
Be sure to choose the right steamer for your purposes and fabric types. Follow our tips on proper steaming methods for outstanding results. Employ smart care and maintenance habits to enjoy your steamer for years.
We hope this guide has gotten you comfortable and excited to start steaming! There’s never been an easier way to keep your garments and fabrics looking their absolute best. Happy steaming!