How to use a clothing steamer: principle of operation, care and operation of manual or vertical devices

The range of modern household appliances is constantly updated with various new products. Their purpose and capabilities are sometimes difficult to understand. Do I need to buy, for example, a steamer or a steam generator, and for what? If you're in doubt, let's find out how to use a steamer to get the best results from it.

Handheld steamers help gently iron or freshen clothes

The principle of operation of steamers and steam generators is clear from their name - ironing of clothes and home textiles occurs under the influence of hot steam. Essentially, they perform the function of an iron, but with a much wider range of capabilities. A variety of attachments allow you to straighten fabric, smooth creases (particularly on trousers), refresh the appearance, remove stains and dirt, and remove wool, hair or fluff. In addition, under the influence of high steam temperatures, microorganisms are destroyed, which ensures the disinfection of textiles.

It is most convenient to use a steamer in cases where you need to tidy things made from thin and delicate materials (silk, organza, knitwear) or, conversely, from dense and fleecy materials that are not advisable to iron (cashmere, wool, velvet, velor, jacquard, etc. .). Hot steam also works great on clothes decorated with rhinestones, sequins, beads, or those that have a large number of frills, folds, flounces and ruffles.

The main advantage of household steamers is that they can clean not only clothes, but also furniture upholstery, soft toys, curtains, bedding (pillows and blankets)

In order to properly use a steamer of any model, it is important to adhere to the manufacturer’s recommendations described in the instructions, and also not to try to disassemble and repair the device yourself. Correct operation is the main rule for long and efficient operation of household appliances.

Care must be taken when handling devices that generate hot steam, since the water in them is heated to boiling (100 ℃), and the steam temperature in some models can reach 140-160 ℃. When working with such equipment there is a high risk of burns.

Among the options that are common today are several types of equipment with the function of producing hot steam and supplying it under pressure:

• steam irons;
• steam generators;
• steamers (compact manual and stationary vertical).

How to steam things correctly?

How to steam things correctly

1. Gently stretch the fabric, holding the item by the bottom edge
2. Press the button and press the working surface of the steamer onto the fabric...
3. Try steaming your clothes from the inside...
4. Use a heat-protective glove...
5. Use a glove on collars, cuffs and other parts of shirts

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Hand steamers

The small size and light weight of hand-held steamers make them indispensable for those who travel a lot or frequently go on business trips. Such models are more affordable and are present in the product line of most popular brands: Polaris, Tefal, Maxwell, etc.

A hand-held steamer is a small water tank (like a mini-electric kettle) with a spout-iron with holes through which steam is supplied.

In manual models, the reservoir is located in the device body itself, and accordingly has a small volume (80-450 ml) and an average power of 1.4-1.6 kW. This ensures a fairly short duration of continuous operation (up to 15 minutes) and does not allow high-quality ironing of some items (thick jeans, outerwear).

Manufacturers of various models offer to use a clothing steamer in several modes (from 3 to 10), in which the operating pressure and saturation level of the supplied steam are regulated. Multifunctional steamers with a power of more than 1.8 kW are considered universal and semi-professional equipment. They are widely used in workshops for ironing clothes or in car washes when cleaning seat upholstery.

The package often includes attachments that allow you to clean the surface of dirt (brushes) during steaming or change the intensity of the steam supply.

To get your own impression, watch how to use a clothes steamer in the video we offer:

Preparing for work

In order to start using the steam generator, you need to unscrew the valve cap, fill the tank with water and connect the device to the power source. After switching on, the water in the container is heated to a vapor state. If the steam temperature rises above the normal limit, the fuse will activate and the heating will stop working. When the temperature drops, the heater will turn on again.

What kind of water to pour into the steam generator

Modern appliances are designed to use tap water. If the liquid is of low quality, with a high content of impurities, manufacturers advise replacing it with demineralized or distilled one. It is allowed to use a mixture of tap water and distillate in a 50/50 ratio.

It is not recommended to pour settled, boiled, melted or well water. The use of special perfumed water for irons is allowed. However, due to the high fluid consumption, its use may not be economically feasible.

Should you choose an iron or a steam generator for your home?

When choosing between a regular iron and a steam generator, you should be guided by the number and type of items that will need to be processed. If in most cases it is necessary to iron things the appearance of which is not significant, that is, bed or underwear, as well as everyday wardrobe items, then a regular iron with a steam function will be quite sufficient. If giving an impeccable appearance to things is constantly required, and especially office suits and shirts are the main part of these things, then using a steam generator will significantly simplify and reduce the time spent on performing this procedure.

It would also be very appropriate to have this device in a house where there are small children and animals. Handling items for a child must be of the highest quality to ensure their safety. While animals bring various harmful bacteria and microbes into the house, it will be much easier to deal with them using this device.

Additional functions

Additional functions that are often equipped with equipment increase its cost. At the same time, they make using the device more comfortable and safe.

• Auto shutdown

A useful and convenient feature that prevents the device from overheating. Even if you forget to turn off the iron from the network before leaving the house, nothing bad will happen - it will turn off on its own after a certain time, while in a stationary position.

• Stop drop

A special anti-drip system prevents heated water from leaking out of the container during operation. This will protect against burns and excessive fluid consumption.

• Button tray

There are special grooves along the edges of the sole that make it easy to iron small items without having to bypass buttons, snaps and other fasteners.

• Self-cleaning

The presence of this function allows you to safely use ordinary tap water for work, rather than distilled water. By selecting the appropriate mode on the device, it removes accumulated salts from the iron.

Important! Even if you are completely satisfied with an iron with a steamer in terms of technical parameters, you should check its ease of use before purchasing. A heavy device with an inappropriate handle will completely negate all the benefits of the purchase if it is uncomfortable to hold in your hand.

Vertical steamers (floor-standing)

Such devices are more reminiscent of vacuum cleaners, having a capacious (up to 3 liters of water) reservoir, placed in a housing on wheels for ease of transportation, and a long hose on which the iron is attached. Among the most popular brands: Philips (Philips), Vitek (Vitek), Rolsen (Rolsen), Kelli (Kelli).

The floor-standing vertical steamer resembles a small vacuum cleaner

Although it takes longer to heat the water in such systems, the high steam power ensures long-lasting and efficient operation of the steamer. He is able to smooth out stubborn wrinkles and hard creases on thick fabrics of outerwear, curtains, upholstery, etc.

Both manual and floor-standing models are designed for vertical steaming, that is, they are used to iron things while hanging. The clothes are placed on hangers and steamed on both sides, moving the iron vertically from top to bottom.

After turning on the steamer, let the water heat up to the required temperature so that steam enters the iron at the required pressure.

Floor-standing models often come with practical and convenient accessories: brushes, nozzles, clothespins, telescopic stand, folding hangers, mittens made of heat-protective fabric

Both hand-held and floor-standing models are designed for vertical steaming, that is, they are used to iron things while hanging

Security measures

To use your steamer safely and correctly, follow these guidelines:

• use the device strictly for its intended purpose. Do not direct hot steam at people, animals or plants;
• Do not under any circumstances try to iron clothes worn on the body;
• do not leave the device running or cooling down unattended;
• do not hang the device by the steam supply hose, do not disconnect or secure it while the steamer is operating;
• do not add water to the reservoir when the device is plugged in, make sure that the cord is not on a hot surface or in water;
• during the steaming process, wear a special heat-protective mitten to protect your hands;
• After each use, wipe the surface of the iron with a soft cloth and dry the reservoir when the device has completely cooled down.

Instructions on how to use a clothing steamer can be viewed in numerous videos on the Internet or read further.

Using a steamer, you can effectively iron items made from any fabric.

Water tank volume

If you are doing global, large-scale ironing, then the volume of the tank matters. It is logical that irons lose again - you have to fit all the functionality into a small device at once, so the volume of the reservoir will always be small, usually no more than 300 ml. True, in some models the capacity can even reach half a liter. This is already quite a lot, but at the same time the dimensions of the iron itself also increase - it will be large, and when fully filled it will weigh up to two kilograms.

In the case of steamers, it is necessary to clearly distinguish between hand-held and floor-standing models. Manual ones cannot have a large reservoir, otherwise it will be difficult and inconvenient to operate them. For very tiny, portable steamers, the tank can be from 50 to 200 ml. There are larger handheld steamers - from 300 to 500 ml. Not much, but such devices are clearly not intended for grandiose ironing.

The floor-standing ones no longer have a tank, but a whole separate tank that stands on the floor, and you operate the steamer nozzle on the hose. And here the volume can reach up to four liters - enough not only for a home wardrobe, but for an entire clothing store.

Steam stations are somewhere in the middle between irons and floor steamers. There are both moderately compact models with a small tank of up to a liter, and heavier stations with 1.5–2.5 liters.

Best models

The rating is based on customer reviews

Philips Azur Performer GC 4521/35

The homeland of the brand is the Netherlands. Country of origin: China. The model has a vertical steam function. There are several modes for changing the steam supply strength. Iron sole type – T-ionicGlide. It has a scratch-resistant titanium coating. The design provides automatic shutdown and descaling of the system.

Advantages:

• fast heating;
• long cord;
• several steam supply modes;
• There is an option for spraying water;
• comfortable handle.

Main disadvantage:

• high price.

Morphy Richards Saturn Intellitemp

Country of origin: Great Britain. The model has the following functions: vertical steaming, self-cleaning from scale and steam boost. The iron is capable of smoothing out several layers of folds. The impact-resistant ceramic soleplate has 485 steam holes. The temperature is adjusted automatically.

Advantages:

• auto shutdown;
• there is a turbo mode;
• backlight;
• comfortable handle.

Main disadvantage:

• high price.

Bosch TDI 902836A

Country of origin: Spain. The model is equipped with an anti-drip system and automatic programs for ironing various types of fabrics. Has a vertical steam function. The steam supply turns off immediately after the iron stops moving. Economy modes allow you to reduce water consumption in the iron by 35% and electricity by 25%. A powerful steam blast copes with folds of any complexity.

Advantages:

• efficiency;
• stylish design;
• ease of operation and maintenance;
• efficiency;
• safety.

Main disadvantage:

• high price.

Tefal FV4950 EO

Country of origin: France. The model is equipped with a self-cleaning system for descaling and can be used for professional activities. It effectively smooths out problem areas on any type of fabric. The sole, made of metal ceramics, has a groove for buttons. The iron has automatic shut-off and vertical steam functions.

Advantages:

• powerful steam boost;
• convenient section for storing the cord;
• stylish design;
• self-cleaning;
• ease of care.

No deficiencies identified.

VITEK VT-1257

Country of origin: China. The model is equipped with many useful functions, including vertical smoothing. The sole has a double ceramic coating, which ensures the iron glides smoothly on various types of fabrics. It is scratch and chip resistant.

Advantages:

• self-cleaning from scale;
• the presence of a groove for buttons on the sole;
• anti-drip system;
• powerful steam boost.

Flaws:

• short power cord;
• unusual shape of the sole.

Rowenta DW4130D1

Country of origin: China. The model has a metal sole. The iron has a narrow spout and two steam modes: normal and burst of steam. The device is well suited for vertical steaming. The model is equipped with drop collection and self-cleaning systems. There is an indication of inclusion.

Advantages:

• convenient design;
• good build quality;
• low cost;
• fast heating;
• powerful vertical steaming.

Flaws:

• inconvenient water tank;
• There are no instructions in Russian.

REDMOND RI-C262

Country of origin: China. The model has several steam supply modes, including steam boost. There are functions: vertical steaming, water spraying, automatic shutdown and self-cleaning from scale. The drop collection system is well thought out. The sole is made of metal ceramics. It is easy to clean from dirt, but it requires careful handling. The iron comes with a measuring cup.

Advantages:

• fast heating;
• Convenient water tank:
• good glide over the surface of any type of fabric;
• attractive design.

Flaws:

• a small number of functions;
• Too heavy for top steaming.

Hottek HT-955-007

Country of origin: Belarus. The model has great power with low weight. It has the following functions: vertical steaming, adjusting the steam supply force, spraying water, self-cleaning from scale and collecting drops. The safety of the device is ensured by an automatic shutdown system when inactive, which is accompanied by a light signal.

Advantages:

• ease of maintenance and operation;
• comfortable design of a large sole;
• wide range of functions;
• low cost.

Flaws:

• low quality plastic;
• short cord.

Polaris PIR 2695AK

Country of origin: China. The model has a ceramic sole that is resistant to mechanical damage, but requires careful handling. It has all the options necessary for high-quality ironing. There are functions of vertical steaming, self-cleaning, automatic shutdown, accompanied by a sound signal.

Advantages:

• long cord;
• fast heating;
• safety;
• multifunctionality.

No deficiencies identified.

Braun TexStyle 7 TS765A

Country of origin: Hungary. The model is distinguished by delicate smoothing of the material and has a vertical steaming function. The iron comes with a measuring cup. The stainless steel sole is covered with sapphire chips. The model has several steam supply modes, including steam boost.

Advantages:

• high quality ironing;
• multifunctionality;
• quick heating;
• comfortable sole shape.

Main disadvantage:

• The reservoir is inconvenient for filling water.

What not to use for

When operating a steam generator, certain requirements must be observed. It is prohibited to use the device:

• for treating surfaces that can be deformed from high temperatures (parquet, natural wool, linen);
• Do not clean electrical appliances or soft plastic products;
• use the device in an aggressive environment (saturated with gases or fumes);
• operate the device in rainy conditions;
• collect flammable waste (ashes, drops of solvent and other explosive substances).

Purpose and capabilities

Initially, steam generators were created for high-quality care of felt products (hats). Over the years, the list of tasks performed has been significantly expanded. There is now an option for steaming synthetic and knitted fabrics. The steam generator also began to be used for wet cleaning with disinfection. The operation of a steam generator has become especially relevant in medical institutions.

With the development of technology, manufacturers have been able to expand the useful properties of the steam generator. Models have appeared designed for cleaning various types of surfaces and upholstered furniture.

Modern steam generators, regardless of the model, ideally cope with the assigned tasks:

• cleaning soft surfaces from small particles of lint and dust;
• processing of heavy materials (curtains, bedspreads, bed linen);
• ironing items that are difficult to iron (cuffs, collars, hangers);
• cleaning outerwear, the original appearance of which cannot be restored in any other way;
• removal of dust and dirt in hard-to-reach places (heating radiators);
• cleaning sofas and carpets;
• cleaning mirrors and glass surfaces;
• removing unpleasant odors from surfaces;
• washing ceramic tiles and tile joints;
• removing grease and complex contaminants from household kitchen appliances and plumbing fixtures;
• treatment of any surfaces from fungi, mold and harmful microorganisms.

Tips for choosing

1. Irons with a vertical steamer make ironing faster and more comfortable. The list of materials and products that can be processed using such devices is practically unlimited.
2. There's no need to pay extra for options and features that won't be used. Before making a purchase, it is worth deciding on the purpose of the device.
3. For a small family, a medium-power device with a standard set of functions is suitable. An overly powerful unit with a large number of unnecessary parameters will lead to increased energy costs and network congestion.
4. For industrial use, you should give preference to a more powerful and complete version. Such a device must withstand increased loads and cope with ironing all types of fabrics.
5. If you choose an option for travel, a low-power device is sufficient. It is cheap, takes up little space and weighs little.
6. The stainless steel sole of the iron is the best choice in terms of price, convenience and safety of use.
7. For infrequent ironing of everyday items, a device with an aluminum sole is suitable - it is the cheapest, lightest and heats up quickly.
8. If the iron will be used as carefully and carefully as possible, you should take a closer look at models with ceramic soles. It will be enough to spend a decent amount once, and then enjoy comfortable, safe ironing for a long time.
9. The steam outlets should be located evenly across the entire surface of the iron. This will ensure high speed and ease of ironing.

And finally. You should not buy a device based solely on technical specifications without testing it in operation. The appropriate weight of the product and its ergonomics are no less important than the selected indicators and set of functions.

Watch a video on using a vertical steam iron

Video

More information about the operating features of the device can be found in the following video:

Author: Anna Chizhik

Found a mistake? Select it and click the buttons:

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