Garment steamers?

17 years ago

Does anyone solely rely on a garment steamer, and not iron at all? I know some of the ads claim that they can completely replace ironing, but I can't see how they could even do the average shirt decently. How do you steam the collars and cuffs? How do you even steam the hemline without getting burnt, for that matter? Can anyone shed some light? I want to know if they're actually worth the money, or if I should give up the dream and stick with the trusty iron and ironing board.

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Comments (5)

wa8b
17 years ago
If you want nice crisp results, especially around cuffs and collars, a steamer by itself isn't going to do what you want.

You might consider a steam generator iron, which will greatly reduce the amount of time you spend ironing, and deliver superior results. IMO, it's just amazing how much easier and faster ironing becomes when your iron is delivering copious clouds of steam. Everyone who has ever tried my steam generator iron, has gone out and purchased one for themselves.

You'll still need an ironing board, but ironing will become so much easier. The link below will take you to the Rowenta Steam Generator web page, but there are a number of brands out there. Do a google search and you'll find lots of choices. I got my Rowenta from Amazon, who seemed to have as good a price as anyone out there.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rowenta Steam Generator Iron
thadine
Original Author
17 years ago
Ahh yes, I already have a steam generator iron :) I agree with you, it's pretty great. I just love gadgets...
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chipshot
17 years ago
Does Whirlpool's Fabric Freshener count as a steamer? Does anyone here have experience using it?

Here is a link that might be useful: Whirlpool Fabric Freshener
Aesop
17 years ago
I have both. I find that the garment steamer is faster for quick touch-ups, and is great for those supposedly wrinkle-free shirts that really aren't. However, I still need to use an iron for the more wrinkled shirts and for when I want to have crisper collars etc. My iron is the Rowenta Steam generator iron, which does a terrific job steaming. However, the garment steamer is ready for use quicker. This makes a difference for those mornings when I need to have something ready quickly (which is the norm, I'm afraid, as I hate ironing).

I can't recall the name of my steamer - it wasn't a very expensive one, but I have been eying the Jiffy steamer as my steamer has lately been spitting more water than before, despite being cleaned.
housefairy
17 years ago
I have a garment steamer that has to be at least 10 years old. I basically use it for all the clothes. However I do place the clothes on an ironing board to press out the pants and around the edges of shirts. DH's dress shirts go to the cleaners. He likes them starched, and personally they're more trouble than what they cost me for the cleaners to do.

I also have a steam iron and I use it for tablecloths and napkins. The steam and the pressure of the iron just seems to make them look better.

The garment steamer is a different way of ironing. It takes a while to master, but it is quicker. If you are really into crisp shirts, you may not be happy with it.