A clothes steamer, also called a garment steamer or simply a steamer, is a device used for quickly removing from clothing and textile with the use of high temperature steam.
Function
The steamer is filled with water which is heated and exits from the device as steam. Most models have an electrical wire which is connected to an outlet.
Features
-
Temperature dial for different fabric types
-
Steam nozzle
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Water tank
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Clothes hanger and pegs
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Caster wheels
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Crease clip
Many of these features are typically only found on the more expensive vertical valet clothes steamer models. Handheld, or travel, clothes steamers don't often include these additional features and are usually less powerful than their vertical valet steamers counterparts.
Use
Most handheld steamers can be used by first filling the water tank, turning the appliance on and waiting a couple of minutes for the steamer to heat up. The clothing to be steamed is hung in a way allowing access to all of it, particularly creased areas, and preferably steamed using down strokes. Care is needed with delicate fabrics.
Sizes
There are three basic sizes of clothes steamers: commercial floor models used in large manufacturing plants and
dry cleaning, mid-sized models for small businesses such as
or
dressmaker, and handheld mini steamers typically for household use or traveling.
Steamers relax fibers rather than flattening like
ironing; it is gentler on clothing and eliminates scorching, allowing a clothes steamer to be used, with care, to remove wrinkles from delicate fabrics such as silk.
== Variants ==
- Steaming cabinet
- A cabinet dedicated to steaming clothing.
[water vapour rather than true Live steam—can be carried out in a shower cabinet.]
See also
