Steamers for home use - which is better?

One of the most unloved housewives for the hostess is ironing. This problem is especially acute when it is necessary to smooth the curtains and curtains after washing or things made of delicate fabrics, with small details - rhinestones, buttons, embroidery, etc. Have you ever had to smooth the wedding dress? It turns out that there is a device that can easily cope with this problem - this is a steamer. Along with professional models, steamers for home use have found their application. Which is better and how convenient such devices are in everyday life - we will consider in this article.

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What is a steamer and can it replace an iron?

Garment steamer is a device that appeared on the market relatively recently, but has already become quite popular. The device is actively used in everyday life, in the studio, in clothing stores for putting things in order.

The main function is to smooth clothes with steam. This procedure is environmentally friendly, as it eliminates the use of household chemicals. In addition to the fact that the steamer copes with hard-to-reach items of clothing, it does not spoil delicate fabrics. If necessary, you can use a steamer to:

• Iron a wedding dress.
• Smooth curtains by weight.

It can also be used to disinfect toys and fabrics, remove old dirt, eliminate unpleasant odors, and destroy dust mites.

Important! It should be noted that today the household steamer will not be able to completely replace the iron, despite the statements of the manufacturers. In cases where it is necessary to smooth the arrows of trousers, to smooth out linen, cotton or bed linen, it is better to use an iron.

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Advantages and advantages of the steamer compared to the iron

The main advantages of the steamer are the following characteristics:

1. The steam ironing time is much shorter.
2. Steam is safe for delicate fabrics.
3. An opportunity to smooth things with frills, frills, lace.
4. Disinfection of blankets, pillows, furniture and children's toys.
5. Elimination of unpleasant odors and old spots.
6. Glossy spots and creases do not form on clothes, as happens when ironing.
7. The ability to smooth things on weight - for example, ironing curtains.

Important! The disadvantages of the steamer for the home include:

• High price. Budget models are less quality and unreliable - they should be handled very carefully.
• Low level of intensity. Even the most powerful device will not replace the iron when ironing the cuffs and collars of the shirt, when drawing arrows on trousers, and in the case of heavily wrinkled things.

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The device and principle of operation of the steamer

The main components of a household steamer are:

• A steam generator is a device in which steam is generated. It consists of a steam boiler (boiler), heater, a pump for pumping water into the tank and control buttons on the body.
• Steam boiler (boiler). Located inside a plastic case, in it the water turns into steam.
• Steam hose. It happens in different lengths, up to 2.7 m.Through it, steam from the steam boiler enters the steam iron.
• Steam iron. It happens metal and plastic, without a built-in heating element and with it.

Important! Passing through the hose, the steam cools noticeably, so it is recommended to buy a household steamer with a built-in heating element and a metal iron. Also, a metal iron can be used as a regular iron.

All steamers, regardless of type, work according to this principle:

1. When heated in a boiler, water turns into steam.
2. Steam is fed through a hose to a steam iron.
3. Through an iron under pressure, the steam goes to the clothes.
4. Steam smoothes wrinkles, gently spreads fabric fibers.

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What are the types of steamers?

Before deciding on a particular model, you need to know what types of steamer exist. Depending on the size, they are divided into:

• Hand steamer;
• outdoor unit.

Hand steamer

If you plan not to use the steamer for the home very often, then a manual (portable) steamer is quite suitable. He will cope with such tasks as removing wrinkles, stains and unpleasant odors on things made of synthetics, wool, silk, velveteen, etc. He will be indispensable in everyday life and at work to quickly bring clothes in a neat appearance.

Features:

1. When using a manual steamer, there is no need to use an ironing board, as well as to remove things from the hanger.
2. Wet steam that leaves the working surface of the device gives volume to the fabric without compressing or stretching the material.
3. A portable steamer features a small water tank - depending on the flow of steam, water must be added.
4. Continuous work time up to half an hour.
5. In a manual steamer, you can boil water for making tea, since the models are equipped with closed heating elements, as in electric kettle.

Disadvantages of a manual steamer:

• low power;
• low productivity.

These characteristics increase the processing time of clothes.

Important! Manual steamers are designed for vertical operation, you can get a burn by turning the device horizontally.

Steam steamer

The road steamer is a manual type of steamers. It has compact dimensions, weight is much less than a travel iron, and this allows you to place the steamer in any travel suitcase.

Road steamers are mainly equipped with such nozzles:

1. universal cleaning nozzle;
2. nozzle for arrows of trousers;
3. brush for cleaning dandruff and lint.

Floor steamer

The floor (stationary or vertical) steamer is a powerful appliance for home use. Dimensions can be compared with a vacuum cleaner. A water tank and a heating element for heating water are built into the case of such a device. The device is equipped with a hose with a steam iron and a special hanger, on which clothes are put on for vertical steaming.

The advantages of the floor steamer include:

1. longer working time, when compared with manual models;
2. high power;
3. vertical steaming on a special hanger.

Disadvantages:

• dimensions;
• steaming cuffs and collar with a special heat-resistant board.

In turn, floor steamers for the home are divided into the following groups:

1. Self-flowing. In them, the steam heated in the heater enters the ironing by gravity. The steam supply rate depends on the volume of the steam boiler and the power.

Important! The advantages of this model is its low price and simplicity of design. The disadvantage is that in comparison with the pump-operated steamer, the intensity of the steam output is weaker.

2. Pump action. In such units, water is supplied in small portions to the heating element. Using a special valve, steam is held in the steam boiler until a certain pressure is created. At optimal pressure (up to 3 bar), the valve opens and steam splashes out through the openings of the iron.A powerful steam flow allows you to penetrate deeper into the fibers of the fabric, so that it is possible to steam coarser fabrics.

Important! The advantages of a pump-operated steamer are the steam output intensity, steam pressure and the possibility of steaming things from a dense fabric.

Disadvantages - the cost is higher than that of gravity; steam supply under pressure is not constant.

Important details:

• Steam comes out under pressure for several minutes, after which the device goes into gravity mode. It is necessary to wait some time to re-create the vapor pressure.
• Steamers with constant steam supply under pressure go to the steam generator or steam cleaner.

Multifunctional Universal Steamer

Devices that, using one steam generator, will be able to perform the functions of several devices will be useful in the household. The most common combinations are:

• Steam cleaner. Thanks to the complete set of the steamer with nozzles for a steam cleaner, the device combines the functions of both devices.
• Steam cleaner-steamer. The main function of such a device is a steam cleaner.
• Steam iron. In addition to steam ironing, the device is equipped with a steam iron.
• Ironing system with steamer function. The ironing system is also equipped with a steam hose with a steam iron.
• Steamer with ironing board. This is an innovation. The device combines the functions of an ironing board, iron and steamer. It can be used both autonomously for steaming curtains and furniture, and as a mini ironing system.

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How to choose a steamer?

How to choose a garment steamer from a variety of models on the market? First of all, you need to determine the goals that your household steamer will fulfill, as well as get acquainted with the main characteristics that you should pay attention to when choosing this device:

1. Brand A self-respecting manufacturer will faithfully fulfill the terms of service.
2. Design. This criterion is not the most important when choosing a steamer for home use, although for many buyers the appearance - color, shape and other design elements - is crucial.
3. Price. This characteristic directly depends on the power of the device - the more powerful, the higher the cost. Also affects the functionality and long-term continuous operation of the device.
4. Dimensions This is an important criterion when choosing a steamer for home use. Which is better to choose - directly depends on the ability to keep it assembled, so that, if necessary, quickly steame clothes. If a manual steamer can be stored on a shelf, then a vertical space will require a specially designated space.
5. Device. A device with a large water tank will allow the steamer to work without adding water, but at the same time, it affects the size and weight of the unit.
6. The material of the steam apparatus. The case is made of plastic or metal. High thermal conductivity of metal irons has excellent smoothing ability.
7. Steam output rate. According to the reviews of the owners of household steamers, the amount of steam 55 g per minute is quite sufficient.
8. Power. For use at home, steamers with a capacity of up to 1800 watts are suitable. More powerful devices are designed for professional use, they can be used in a clothing store or atelier.
9. Functionality. A multifunctional and powerful device is necessary in cases where its widespread use is required. Ease of use will allow anyone to cope with this device.
10. Source of power. There are models of steamers that run on batteries or on mains.
11. Operating modes. Depending on the fabric being processed, it is possible to change the power of the steamer.
12. Water quality.It should be noted that more expensive models can work with ordinary tap water due to the fact that they are equipped with high-quality filters. For cheap models, distilled water should be used.
13. Accessories Devices can have special nozzles for regulating the strength of the steam and the direction of the jet.

Important! Leave a note on our separate article, which describes in detail all the options and methods, how to use a steamer for different clothes.

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Overview of the best models and firms

Almost all manufacturers of household appliances produce steamers for the home. Consider some of the best models on the market.

Philips GC670 / 05

In terms of price and quality, this is perhaps the best garment steamer.

Main characteristics:

• power is 1800 W;
• steam output intensity - 40 g / min .;
• 5 steam supply modes;
• automatically rewind cord;
• 2.1 liter tank.

Equipment:

• brush;
• nozzle for a collar and creation of arrows;
• mitt;
• a nap pad;
• a special compartment where you can store all components.

Karcher SI 4 Iron Kit:

• This steam system will allow you to take care not only of curtains, tablecloths, bedding, clothes, etc., but also to clean the house.
• Long non-stop operation due to the presence of two tanks.
• The vapor pressure is 3.5 bar.

Important! There are functions that allow delicate fabrics to be steamed off especially well and gently, as well as a steam removal function that allows steam to penetrate into the fabric, while removing excess moisture.

Rowenta IS 6300:

• This is a 1550W vertical steamer.
• The steam output is 30 g / min.
• Preparation time for work 60 s.
• A 2.4-liter tank allows the device to work for a long time.

Important! The device is equipped with a special Roll & Press brush, thanks to which you can smooth out any creases without creases, while not holding clothes.

Since such devices are most often purchased for home use, we conducted an analysis of consumer reviews and the top positions of online stores, on the basis of which we compiled to help you in another article rating vertical steamer.

Maxwell MW-3704 VT

This is a 1000 W manual steamer. A small 0.2-liter tank will allow you to quickly put in order the clothes that you took out of the closet or when traveling from your suitcase before going out.

Philips GC320 / 25

This handheld steamer has a power of 1200 watts. For steaming products from delicate and delicate fabrics can be a worthy alternative to iron. The model is equipped with a brush for dense fabrics, which will help to cope with not deep folds. The device is ready for operation after 60 s.

Mie deluxe

It is a reliable and powerful steamer with a stylish design.

Main characteristics:

• double telescopic stand, which protects things from stretching and deformation when ironing, which is especially true for knitwear and wool;
• 2.5 l water tank;
• special built-in filter that softens the water;
• metal iron with additional heating;
• the presence of an information board with an indication of the mode and time of operation, as well as the water level in the tank;
• power 2600 W;
• steam supply intensity - 84 g / min .;
• special compartments for storing nozzles and small items.

Kitfort KT-910

The parameters of this steamer are close to professional standards. The high power of 2200 W is due to the fact that at first steam is generated in the boiler (1750 W), and then it is still heated in the iron (450 W). As a result, the steam comes out with a temperature of 130 degrees.

Other features:

• The steam supply rate is 35 g / min.
• The volume of the water tank is 1.8 liters.

Important! If there is no activity or a low water level in the tank, the steamer will shut off automatically.

Grand Master GM-Q7 multi

With the help of this household steamer you can both iron things and carry out house cleaning with a steam mop, which is equipped with the device.Using a special hose, a steam iron is connected to the device, and in addition to vertical ironing, things can be ironed in a horizontal position.

Important! The unit is equipped not only with clamps for arrows, telescopic rods, but also with a device for steaming pockets, collars, cuffs. A heating element is integrated in the steam iron, and the iron itself is made of stainless steel.

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Stock footage

After reading this article, you have received enough information to choose a steamer for your home. The best garment steamer should fulfill its goals. Having familiarized yourself with the assortment of the market, you will find a worthy assistant in such a troublesome business as ironing.