This device was invented in 1940 when felt hats came into fashion. For their processing, the property of hot steam to straighten fibers was useful. In America, the garment steamer began to improve and conquered the whole world. In Russia, it gained popularity at the beginning of the 21st century.
In the article, we will consider the structure, varieties, functional indicators of the device, as well as the rating of the best garment steamers and user reviews.
What is a garment steamer?
This device is a special design designed to smooth fabric using hot steam.
The device consists of:
- Steam generator.
- Hose.
- Iron.
- Boiler.
- Pump.
- TENA.
- Control panels.
With the help of a heating element - a special heating device - water enters the boiler through the pump, is heated and, thanks to the hose, is led to ironing, through which steam is formed, which actually smoothes the textiles.
There are irons with and without heaters, as well as with various indicators of the length of the hoses. For example, long hoses are suitable for steaming curtains, things on racks and so on. Some manufacturers in addition to garment steamers (reviews confirm this) apply special mittens, a heat-resistant cuff board, and so on.
Kinds
Currently, there are several types of garment steamers. Customer reviews are mixed: some like handheld, compact devices, while others like vertical and horizontal steamers.
So, this design differs in the following properties and happens:
- Manual.
- Vertical.
- Gravity flow.
- With steam pressure.
- Multifunctional.
Let us consider in more detail how each of these garment steamers functions, reviews of happy owners of the device and tips on how to choose this device.
Manual
A manual steamer is a lightweight, convenient device designed to smooth out light tissues and underwear. It is not much different from a conventional electric kettle and indispensable for travel. With it, you can iron a light blouse or dress made of knitwear, which somehow crumple on the road.
Among the disadvantages of the design is its low power and the inability to process dense, natural fabrics. But its small dimensions and weight make it an indispensable companion for neat people.
Garment steamer
This is a rather bulky device designed to smooth out primarily curtains, as well as various fabrics. The vertical steamer is loved by both professionals and housewives.
It consists of a housing, a fluid container, a rack, steam hoses and ironing. To make things better steamed, they are placed on hangers mounted on a rack.
Among the advantages of this device is its high power and the ability to process long products (curtains, curtains). Among the minuses - large dimensions, inconvenience in ironing cuffs and sleeves.
There are two types of vertical steamers: gravity and steam pressure.
What is the best garment steamer?
Reviews confirm that a gravity steamer is not much different from a manual one, since it also lacks the power to smooth dense tissues. The principle of operation of such a steamer is simple. Water enters through the hose into the heater and begins to evaporate under the influence of high temperature. Steam forms in the boiler, which enters the iron and exits its openings, smoothing clothes.
Such designs are quite simple, convenient, inexpensive, but have little power.
Steam Steamer
According to reviews, the best steamers for clothes are designs with the addition of steam. How does this device differ from the above? As it turned out, steamers with the addition of steam were invented for processing heavy, dense materials.
They differ in that they have a steam valve that is designed to hold steam in the boiler and to start it only when the pressure inside reaches its limit.
The principle of operation is as follows: pressure releases a powerful jet of steam, which penetrates deep into the fibers of the fabric. This greatly improves the smoothing of textiles. The only drawback is the frequency of operation of the steamer with the addition of steam. Steam under pressure is supplied at a certain time, then enters the mode of gravity operation and only then is supplied again under pressure.
Despite all the advantages, this steamer has one drawback - it is a high price.
What are the criteria for choosing a garment steamer?
Reviews of the owners, despite the fact that these devices appeared in domestic stores not so long ago, indicate that each device has its pros and cons. In order for the purchase to be successful, it is necessary to consider indicators such as:
- Power.
- Steam supply rate.
- Boiler volume.
- Sole ironing.
- Steam hose length.
- The number of steam supply modes.
- Scale protection.
The higher the power of the device, the faster it heats up, it is advisable to choose manual steamers starting from 1000 W and above, and vertical ones starting from 1500 W.
Steam flow rate is measured in grams per minute. The faster the steam is supplied, the better the fabric is smoothed.
The duration of continuous operation depends on the volume of the water tank. The sole material of the iron is also of great importance. Better to choose metal than plastic. Although it is heavier and more expensive than plastic, it lasts much longer.
The length of the steam hose also affects the operation of the garment steamer. Customer reviews on this issue are the same. The longer the hose, the more convenient it is to work, but only if there is a heater in the ironing.
In some devices on the control panels, there are steam supply modes for various types of fabrics. Delicate fabrics do not need a powerful stream of steam, so this is a convenient device.
Finally, when choosing a product and considering the reviews and ratings of garment steamers, you need to find out: do they have protection against scale? In its absence, it is advisable to use distilled water.
Ranking of the best steamers in 2018
In the first place is MIE Piccolo. This steamer is a small kettle of bright orange color with a water volume of 500 ml. Power reaches up to 1200 watts. The device is designed for vertical steaming, which is achieved using a special upper device in black with a steam iron.
This is a handheld garment steamer. The reviews of the owners put it in the first place for a reason. The device perfectly fights every fold on clothes, refreshes a thing, removes unpleasant odors.
The design also combines additional accessories, such as a special heat-resistant board for smoothing cuffs and sleeves, collars, ruffles, pockets and so on. There is a fleecy brush that removes dust, pile, hairs from clothes, as well as a teflon mitt, which prevents burns.
MIE Piccolo has been running non-stop for about fifteen minutes. It can also be used as a regular teapot; for this, instead of a manual steamer, a regular transparent lid with a transparent nose is installed on top of the device.
Polaris PGS 1412C
In second place is the Polaris PGS 1412C, which has the best reviews as a manual garment steamer. This is a convenient, lightweight, portable steamer, which is most often taken along with you on the road, as it weighs about 700 grams. It has a decent power, ranging from 1200-1400 watts, and the volume of water reaches 90 ml.
The device heats up after 25 seconds after turning on, and is also equipped with a special filter to remove scale. The Polaris PGS 1412C kit includes a special brush for removing lint and a case for tidy storage.
Philips GC332 / 80
In third place is this handheld steamer, the name of which is quite well-known and popular. The device has a two-in-one function, that is, it can both vertically and horizontally steam clothes. Convenience lies in the fact that the Philips GC332 / 80 does not need an ironing device. Clothes can be hung on a hanger “by the shoulders” or put on any flat surface.
The sole of the iron is covered with a special coating that glides easily on the fabric and does not leave wet spots. This steamer carefully cares for delicate and woolen fabrics, as well as cashmere and silk. It penetrates deeply into each crease, giving the clothes a neat appearance.
In addition to steaming clothes, Philips GC332 / 80 is designed to smooth, clean the surface of furniture upholstery and bedding.
Real reviews
Many are interested in reviews about garment steamers. What is the design of the steamer? Everyone decides for himself. In fact, all three of the above structures are excellent devices as substitutes for ordinary irons, but each housewife herself decides how to iron and with what intensity.
Does she want to iron the curtains on the ironing board, or with the help of a steamer, straighten them already in a hanging form, climbing the stepladder (the hose itself may be long, but hands may not reach). Also, each for himself decides whether to independently clean the furniture upholstery or invite professionals. Do I have to stand for hours ironing bedding, regular T-shirts, underwear? Or maybe they do not iron at all? Which is more convenient for you?
It's no secret that many prefer to save time and effort and not iron underwear. Take a manual steamer with you on a business trip or not? Do I need to use local irons? It is also everyone’s business.
If you read reviews about garment steamers, you can come to the conclusion that they are irreplaceable devices that save time like washing machines and dishwashers.
As a rule, such devices become indispensable in the summertime, when every day you have to change clothes, consisting of delicate, gauze fabrics. T-shirts are updated in just a few seconds. Dresses, blouses with ruffles and with many details also look like brand new after using the steamer.
Things packed in a suitcase, no matter how neatly they are folded, still wrinkle, and after using the steamer, they become salable.
With this device, you can easily update windbreakers, down jackets, even real fur. Complaints that the steamer can be burned, have been reported. Nevertheless, it is necessary to observe safety precautions. To prevent stains on the products, it is advisable to add distilled water to the steamer.
To summarize, we can conclude that a garment steamer is a necessary thing, especially for women.