Garment Steamer - Worth Getting?

Manda

Hi YLF!

I've been considering purchasing a garment steamer. I've seen a number of posts where other forum members have mentioned garment steamers and there seem to be nothing but praise for them.

I guess I'd like to hear any more feedback from YLF about garment steamers, in particular if there have been any issues.

Also, any Aussie forum members who have one, where do recommend getting one from?

Cheers,
Amanda

14 years ago

General

22 replies

Latest reply was from MRL

stringy

Veteran

I had to look up what a garment steamer is, and will now confess: when I haven't got enough time to iron, I just put the clothes on then give myself a quick mist with a spray bottle of water and smooth the fabric out (I get my husband to do the back).

It dries in no time (as long as you don't soak yourself) and as it dries the wrinkles fall out. For me, it works best on cotton and cotton/linen blends. If I remember in time I hang the clothes up on the shower rack so I can do other things while it dries.

Yes, I am a late sleeper, why do you ask?

14 years ago

jwomack

Active Member

I have two actually -- one in a larger size and one I can pack for travel. I hate, hate, hate to iron and these are wonderful. They work especially well on cotton, knits, etc. My small one holds enough water to steam out one shirt and heats up very quickly. I can do it in the morning if I pull out shirt and want to wear it but it is a little too wrinkled from either washing or just being shoved into the closet or shelf.

14 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I just bought one a couple of weeks ago and so far I love it! I tried it out on a few things and found it particularly handy for removing creases from a new silk blouse, getting rid of wrinkles on a thrifted wool blend skirt, and smoothing a tee shirt that had been crammed in the bottom of a pile. For me, it's much more convenient than the iron and ironing board to keep in my closet and pull out at a moment's notice.

I got a small Shark unit. Not sure of that is available where you are, but it seems to work well.

14 years ago

Laura

Active Member

I bought a travel size Jiffy steamer so it doesnt take up much room at all. Most of my clothes don't require heavy ironing. I can get away with just using the steamer.

14 years ago

Kappy

Veteran

I'm thinking of buying one too. I have a wall-mounted ironing board (fold up in cabinet in the laundry room) and it's super easy to fold done and use, but I thought it would be handy to have a steamer in my walk-in closet. My iron has vertical steaming (a Rowenta), but it's heavy to hold for a long time.

14 years ago

Carole

Veteran

I've been considering one for a long while. I have heard nothing but raves for them, but I can't decide between the smaller unit or the one that has the hanger for your clothing article, that would be super convenient but takes up more room. I'll be looking for answers here!

14 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran

DH got one last year for Christmas and it works like a charm. He wears a lot of Tommy Bahama (gasp, I know) hawaiian style button down shirts that I wash and hang to dry. I use the steamer to get the wrinkles out--works fab. It also works well for steaming out wrinkles in my woven tunics. It is not a substitute for an iron by any means but it's very useful. Now that I have one, I don't think I could live without it. FWIW, I have a Rowenta with vertical steam (many years old) and it doesn't really compare to a stand alone steamer.

ETA: We have a full size version--the garment hanger is very useful. That steam gets HOT!

14 years ago

bella

(website)

Veteran

Can you mention some brand names? ( I think I asked this question the last time,too). I ironed 6 shirts this weekend and I am a saaaaad panda. (southpark reference!:))

14 years ago

Deb

Active Member

Add me to the list of those who would love to know recommended brands!

I bought a travel version from BB&Beyond, and it's *so* disappointing - doesn't produce enough steam to bathe a bug... but does emit bursts of hot water that wet and stain the fabric. :-/

14 years ago

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

I was about to ask the same bella... some brands or even links to the actual products would be very useful.

ETA: Also, what features to look for, how to tell one product is better than the other?

14 years ago

Dashrashi

Veteran

I have a "travel" steamer--Jiffy Esteam something. Extremely bare bones--fill with water, plug in, wait for steam, steam garments, repeat as needed. I love it. I haven't ironed anything since I got it (but I'm prone to going with the wrinkle anyway, so that's not saying THAT much). The full-size one didn't seem necessary to me--I just steam clothes in the bathroom (have to fill the steamer up in the sink anyway) and hang clothes off the hook, shower rod, or towel bar. I also do travel with it frequently--I can fit it into a gallon-size ziploc bag--and it makes me much less crazed about packing for something like a job interview. If my suit jacket gets rumpled in transit (very likely in a carry-on) I can freshen it up without a problem.

I think Slate did a round-up of travel steamers fairly recently, which is how I picked which one I would buy (got it on Amazon, ultimately).

14 years ago

MNsara

Veteran

My sister swears by hers, so I got a Joy Mangano one (probably QVC, but can't remember). It just seemed to spit at my clothes - no matter how level I held it

I finally gave it to my sister.

14 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I must admit I don't share the enthusiasm for steamers. I actually find them more difficult to use, probably because my expectations aren't realistic. As much as I hate ironing, the crisp softness (oxymoron, I know) it imparts is totally worth the trouble.

14 years ago

bella

(website)

Veteran

I think this is the article Dashrashi mentioned:
http://www.slate.com/id/2190675/

14 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran

I just checked my Amazon account. Our steamer is a Jiffy J-2000 and was purchased in 2008. Still going strong (knock on wood.)

14 years ago

Manda

Active Member

Thanks for all your comments.

I've still not yet made my purchase. I couldn't find a reasonably priced good quality one here in Australia.

14 years ago

Kelly

(website)

Active Member

I have a Shark iron/vertical steamer but I haven't ever used the steamer part. I guess I just don't mind ironing! Plus, as another poster said, there is something about the end result of ironing that is so nice, and I don't think a steamer would do the same.

14 years ago

lynn

Veteran

I wanted to like the steamer but I really didn't. I bought a travel after a recommendation from somewhere(?) and it is more trouble than ironing! Haven't traveled with it yet though.

14 years ago

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

Here is a video on the Jiffy J-2 Steamer, which looks great if a steamer is still a relevant topic. Since I saw one on The Laundress website, I am considering buying one for my silk blouses and shirts. If anyone has current thoughts about a home steamer, I'd love to hear about them, as using one seems so much easier than ironing, but there are space considerations to consider, as well:

http://www.thelaundress.com/jiffy-steamer

http://www.thelaundress.com

Jiffy Steamer video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?.....38;v=NOxYs

Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Jiffy-Ga.....B007FOV6PC

11 years ago

Adelfa

Veteran

I have a full sized Rowenta steamer. I liked it better when I could keep it set up in a spare room. Now that I have to haul it out of a closet, I'm finding I'd rather haul out the ironing board because the iron really does a better job. That said, I have a travel one on order so that I can steam my sheath dress for the wedding, after I unpack it!

11 years ago

crutcher

Veteran

Great post...I have been thinking about a steamer...Seems like it would be convenient and quick...Yet, I really like to iron...

11 years ago

MRL

Veteran

So glad to read that steamers work. I iron, but my S is planning to buy a steamer to take to college this fall. (He is NOT planning to iron!)

11 years ago

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