I love wearing fresh-pressed clothes, but I really don’t like pulling out my clothes iron. Using it takes too long, and what if I accidentally burn myself?
So when one of my friends told me about garment steamers, I was thrilled. These handy devices use directed steam to remove wrinkles and leave your clothes smooth, soft, and fresh. Steamers are much safer to use than irons, and I think they’re a lot more effective.
After reviewing five different steamers, I would recommend the Hilife Garment Steamer. It holds enough water to steam most garments, and the design is lightweight and easy to use with one hand. I love the transparent water chamber and the extra-long power cord.
| Lemontec Garment Steamer | Hilife Garment Steamer | Rowenta Perfect Steam Station | Jiffy J-2000 Garment Steamer | Jiffy ESTEAM Travel Steamer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heating Time | 1.5 minutes | 2 minutes | 5 minutes | 5 minutes | 2 minutes |
| Water Capacity | 6 ounces | 8 ounces | 47 ounces | 96 ounces | 10 ounces |
| Steam Time | 9 minutes | 15 minutes | 90 minutes | 90 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Power Cord | 6 feet | 9 feet | 6 feet | 5 feet | 9 feet |
| Style | Handheld | Handheld | Steam Iron | Steam Hose | Handheld |
1) Lemontec Garment Steamer
The Lemontec Garment Steamer is a simple handheld steamer. Fill the chamber with water, plug the cord in, and wait for just over a minute. When you start to see steam, point the nozzle at the wrinkles that you want to remove.
The Lemontec steamer has an attractive, all-black design. A tinted window lets you see how much water is in the chamber. The power cord is just over six feet long, which is enough for most situations.
Features:
- Only takes 70 seconds to heat
- Enough steam for one or two garments
- Turns off when empty or overheated
- Conveniently fits in your suitcase
Customer Impressions:
Customers love how well the Lemontech Garment Steamer works on their clothes. They agree that the steamer is compact enough for travel, but many buyers note that the water chamber needs to be refilled for each new garment. Some customers also noticed that the steamer spits out hot water when the water level gets too low.
Conclusion:
Overall, the Lemontech Garment Steamer (shop now) is great for travel, but it’s a little small for regular use. This steamer is a good choice if you only need to iron one or two garments at a time.
2) Hilife Garment Steamer
The Highlife Garment Steamer (learn more) is a well-designed steamer that takes wrinkles right out of your clothes. It has a larger water capacity than other handheld steamers and lets you spend up to 15 minutes working on a difficult garment.
Even though it’s larger than other handhelds, this steamer is still lightweight and compact enough for travel. The nozzle is carefully angled to avoid getting water on your clothes, and the white-and-blue design looks very modern. I love the 9-foot cord; it lets me move away from the wall while I’m steaming.
Features:
- Heats in just under 2 minutes
- Holds enough water for 14-15 minutes of steaming
- Features a 9-foot power cord
- Doesn’t leak or spit water
- Comes with a measuring cup and cleaning brush
Customer Impressions:
Customers love that this steamer lets out a fine and manageable mist that doesn’t get water droplets on their clothes. Thanks to the large reservoir, buyers are able to steam multiple garments before the water runs out.
Conclusion:
The Hilife Garment Steamer is my favorite handheld steamer so far. It holds plenty of water, has a long cord, and doesn’t spit water droplets on your clothes. Plus, it’s still small enough to fit in your suitcase.
3) Rowenta Perfect Steam Station
The Rowenta Perfect Steam Station (learn more) is an impressive steamer that can get the wrinkles out of nearly any garment. The 47-ounce water tank lets you steam for an hour and a half, and the eco-friendly design lets you use less water and energy.
Instead of a nozzle, the Perfect Steam Station has an actual iron at the end of the steam hose. Steam shoots from holes in the stainless steel soleplate and directly targets any wrinkles that you pass over. This design lets you add perfect creases and works with a traditional ironing board.
Features:
- Heats quickly and steams for a long time
- 5 bars of water pressure work on the toughest wrinkles
- Functions like a traditional iron with stainless steel soleplate
- Comes with a removable water chamber for easy filling and cleaning
Customer Impressions:
Customers love how quickly the Perfect Steam Station irons their clothes. However, many buyers have noticed that the newer models aren’t as powerful as the original Rowena design.
Conclusion:
It might not be travel-sized, but the Perfect Steam Station is equipped to help you iron a serious amount of laundry. This is a great choice for families or for anyone who wants their garments to have a professionally-ironed look.
4) Jiffy J-2000 Garment Steamer
The Jiffy J-2000 Garment Steamer has an iconic look and an effective design. The steamer features a rolling base, a tall garment rack, and a long steam hose with a simple nozzle.
The J-2000 steamer heats up in around two minutes and steams for an hour and a half. The garment rack provides a convenient place to hang your clothes while they steam and dry. If you don’t want to use the garment rack, the hose is long enough to reach a nearby table or ironing board.
Features:
- Has a long steam hose for extra reach
- Heats up in roughly 2 minutes
- Choose either a plastic or a metal steam head
- Comes in tan and pink designs
Customer Impressions:
Customers say that Jiffy steamers work well and are easy to use. Some buyers complained that the tall garment rack makes the steamer difficult to store.
Conclusion:
If you have the storage space, the J-2000 (shop now) makes a great addition to your laundry room. The garment rack is extremely useful, and the steam that comes out is powerful and direct.
5) Jiffy ESTEAM Travel Steamer
The Jiffy ESTEAM Travel Steamer is another high-quality device from one of the top competitors in the garment steaming industry. This portable travel steamer is a good choice for anyone who thought the J-2000 was too big for their laundry room.
The ESTEAM is a classy handheld device that comes in either black or pink. The button-free design is extremely easy to use; just plug it in, wait for steam to start coming out, and begin working on your clothes.
Features:
- Small, portable, and simple to use
- Steams for 15 minutes at a time
- 9-foot cord is long enough for most uses
- Comes in both black and pink
Customer Impressions:
Customers really like how easy the ESTEAM is to use and say it’s great at removing wrinkles. The pink design is definitely a fan favorite.
Conclusion:
Like most Jiffy products, the ESTEAM (shop now) does a good job of removing wrinkles without leaking or spitting water. If you’re looking for a simple and lightweight steamer, the ESTEAM won’t let you down.
Getting the Most from Your Garment Steamer
Portable and regular garment steamers work basically the same way: heat the water, point the steamer, and watch the wrinkles in your clothes collapse. No matter which model you own, follow these tips to get perfect clothes every time.
How to Use Your Garment Steamer
Remember to read the instruction manual for the garment steamer that you own. Some models require extra steps to get the best results.
- Fill the reservoir with water. Never exceed the fill line, or you’ll end up with too much steam inside the tank.
- Plug in your steamer. Some models ask you to press an “on” button, but others start heating as soon as you plug them in.
- Let the steamer heat up. You’ll know it’s ready when steam starts to come out of the nozzle. Some models have an indicator light.
- Hang your garment. Steaming works best on hanging garments because gravity helps remove the wrinkles. Most steamers can only be used vertically, so you might not be able to use an ironing board.
- Hold the steamer a few inches away. The goal is to hold the steamer close to the fabric without actually touching it. Experiment with distances to find the right amount of pressure for your clothes.
- Run the steamer over the garment. Use smooth motions, and linger over any areas that have stubborn wrinkles.
- Let your clothes dry. With the right steamer, your clothes should be ready to wear in just a minute or two.
Don’t forget to turn your steamer off when you’re done with it; if you leave it on, it could overheat.
Cleaning a Garment Steamer
Any device that has a water reservoir will need to be cleaned on a regular basis. Your garment steamer probably needs to be cleaned once a month or whenever you notice a mineral buildup on the tank’s walls.
The best way to clean your steamer is with a descaling solution that can remove mineral deposits. Add a little descaling solution to the tank and fill it halfway with hot water. Then, shake the steamer up and down until the mineral buildup starts to come off. Finish by draining the tank and wiping it out with a paper towel.
Garment Steamer Tips and Tricks
- Try putting the garment on a clothes hanger before you steam it. Hang it from a doorknob, towel rack, or shower curtain rod.
- Wait 30 seconds after the indicator light turns on to use your steamer. This makes sure the water is hot and releases any built-up pressure.
- Don’t tilt your steamer too much while you’re using it, or you might cause a sudden burst of steam. Use a smooth up-and-down motion for the best results.
- Remember to empty your steamer’s water chamber between uses. This is especially important for larger models; you don’t want mold to develop in the water tank.
- If you’re traveling to a different country, make sure to bring a voltage adaptor for your steamer. All of the steamers on this list use a traditional 110-volt plug.
- Garment steamers aren’t just for garments. They’re also a great cleaning tool and can be used to apply direct steam to almost any surface.
You may also want to have a look at this article: How To Organize Your Clothes Closet By Type And Color？
Related Questions
Can you make creases with a garment steamer?
Garment steamers remove wrinkles, but they can’t create creases on their own. Try using a smooth, flat object to press creases into garments while they’re still damp from the steam.
Related Article: 4 Best Tumble Dryers To Avoid Ironing
What fabrics can you use a garment steamer on?
Garment steamers work on cotton, polyester, denim, and most standard blends. Don’t use garment steamers on suede, velvet, or any fabric that could be damaged by heat or moisture.
See Also:
Can You Put One Item In The Washing Machine
5 Best Washing Machines For Baby Clothes
