What has been your experience with a garment steamer ?

[colporterw]

Looking for anybody to share his/her experiences in using a garment steamer.

 

[lxskllr]

Dunno, but I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy the tune Begin the Beguine :^)

Edit:
For the uninitiated...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNcPnEc99UE

 

[rasczak]

Never used one before, but have always been interested in getting one. Let me know how it turns out.


As for op, welcome to the forums!!

 

[IronWing]

I bought a used one a few years ago. It wasn't any less work than ironing and the results were not pleasing to me so I sold it.

It was an older version of this:
http://www.jiffysteamer.com/products/viewdetails.asp?productId=67&steamerCatId=5&basemodelId=

 

[colporterw]

I respect your opinion; however, I understand that garment steamers are steadily gaining merit in today's market. They seem to be much safer to use on delicate fabrics such as suits and dresses, more convenient than ironing, and allow one to complete the task in a fraction of the time than it would otherwise.

 

[SandEagle]

I respect your opinion; however, I understand that garment steamers are steadily gaining merit in today's market. They seem to be much safer to use on delicate fabrics such as suits and dresses, more convenient than ironing, and allow one to complete the task in a fraction of the time than it would otherwise.

can you stop beating around the bush and already post the link to the steamer that you're trying to sell?

 

[rasczak]

can you stop beating around the bush and already post the link to the steamer that you're trying to sell?

hahaha

 

[colporterw]

I'm just seeking knowledge for right now...and sharing knowledge as well.

 

[Miramonti]

I just bought one at goodwill this week but we returned it because it was fairly useless, even with lots of steam. Get a decent iron instead.

 

[Jeeebus]

I'm just seeking knowledge for right now...and sharing knowledge as well.

You might want to just go ahead and post the link as your account will likely be banned before you finally get around to regaling us with tales of the awesome new steamer you just bought.

Just some friendly advice.

 

[RKS]

I just bought one at goodwill this week but we returned it because it was fairly useless, even with lots of steam. Get a decent iron instead.

Goodwill take returns?

 

[Miramonti]

Goodwill take returns?

3 days refund for electronics, 7 days return/credit for others...cashier needs to list specific returnable items on back of receipt. Except "As-is" items, no returns.

 

[L1FE]

Bought a Rowenta Precision Valet Garment Steamer from Woot last year and I definitely like steaming garments better than ironing. For me the biggest benefits are that you can quickly get wrinkles out without a whole lot of setup. I just roll it out (it collapses and stores pretty easily), hit the power button (the water tank is large and I've had to refill it once in the year I've used it), and wait for the steamy goodness.

That being said, it's not going to be as crisp as a good ironing. The steamer is good for smoothing out wrinkles, but not for getting crisp, military lines. I personally just hate the setup for ironing - especially if you're just doing a quick one off for a single garment.

 

[Jumpem]

I've always just put my clothes back in the dryer for a few minutes in the morning.

 

[colporterw]

You might want to just go ahead and post the link as your account will likely be banned before you finally get around to regaling us with tales of the awesome new steamer you just bought.

Just some friendly advice.

Thank you for your advice. Again, just seeking knowledge for right now.

 

[IronWing]

Time for a Turing test.

Will a good quality clothes steamer remove ketchup stains from the carburetor and leave it minty fresh and ready to start the day?

 

[colporterw]

Time for a Turing test.

Will a good quality clothes steamer remove ketchup stains from the carburetor and leave it minty fresh and ready to start the day?

hahahahahaha. Seriously doubt that. Mouthwash might work, though.

 

[Paperdoc]

We run a retail clothing store, so we use a professional steamer all the time. We rarely use an iron on store stock because it takes too long to set up, and then to cool off before storing away. But I can give you a good comparison.

I am not sure the steamer is faster than an iron per garment - maybe a bit - once it is running. I takes a minute or so to start producing steam, and little time to shut down. It does a great job at removing wrinkles in many synthetic fabrics - the ones you use lower to medium temperatures on with an iron. It is quite poor at linen or cotton that requires high temps. Well, cotton T-shirts and stuff it's good, but it does not completely remove all the wrinkles, just most of them. On linen it never gets them all out, and even on some other fabrics. Sometimes going over the item slowly, to allow maximum heating and steam penetration, helps with tougher items. On any garment, you have to learn how to hold the piece stretched out flat so the steam can smooth it. I will not remove wrinkles in a section that is folded on itself - it may just enhance the wrinkle that way.

As someone else pointed out, there is no way to make or re-sharpen sharp creases with a steamer. And if you really want anything to look flat and pressed, you can't beat an iron. But if your garment needs a softer look almost wrinkle free, a steamer works well. And it is good for low-temperature synthetic fabrics - you cannot burn anything with a steamer.

 

[sonambulo]

I used one to kill all the bed bugs that may or may not have been living in my clothes. It may or may not have worked.

 

[colporterw]

Dunno, but I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy the tune Begin the Beguine :^)

Edit:
For the uninitiated...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNcPnEc99UE

Where did you hear that ? Sing-Sing or Folsom ?