How to use a steamer
A steamer, a household electrical appliance, is an excellent indispensable addition to an iron when ironing clothes. Fabrics that require careful handling, bead embroidery, decorative patterns, etc., are ironed with a steamer. It was invented in 1940 in the USA for steaming felt hats.
Consists of: water heating device, water storage tank, housing, hose, iron (depending on models), stand.
Main varieties:
- Manual steamer. Its design resembles a teapot. The device is quite light and compact. Steams things that weigh a little. Suitable for use on the road.
- Floor-mounted steamer. This is the first developed version of the device for steaming vertically positioned clothes. Has the main base for generating steam. Hose and sprayer.
- Steamer with pressure supply. A modern model that works on the same principle, plus the presence of steam pressure to produce a jet of steam onto the surface being treated.
Important! Let us add that many modern irons have a steamer function.
The content of the article
Preparing the steamer for use
How to use a steamer? Before you begin, you need to prepare the device for use. Let us describe the procedure using the example of the operation of a classic model of a floor steamer:
- We place a hanger with a stand and strengthen it;
- Attach the hose to the base of the steamer and to the iron for smoothing;
- Attach the iron to the stand;
- Pour water into the tank;
- We connect the device to the power supply using a cord and plug;
- We turn on the buttons and wait for heating, according to the instructions for the device;
- We check readiness for steaming by pointing in a safe direction;
- If everything is fine, let's proceed.
Rules for using the device
The video shows how to use a clothes steamer well. When you start steaming, work in a vertical position. The iron is passed along the clothing from top to bottom, slightly stretching the fabric. You need to keep it three centimeters from the fabric. It is enough to apply it several times and the fabric will be smoothed out.
The video “How to Use a Handheld Clothes Steamer” shows that steam, when applied to fabric, straightens its fibers. Curtains can be ironed without removing them. It is better to place large pieces of fabric vertically and carefully iron them piece by piece.
How to use a hand steamer? Clothes must first be hung on special hangers on the rack. Next, select the mode corresponding to the type of fabric. When steaming, use different attachments, including sleeve linings and arrow locks. Don't forget to wear a protective mitten to prevent steam from getting on your hand when ironing.
What clothes can you use a steamer for?
How to use a clothes steamer? You can steam almost any fabric by adjusting the steam power and temperature. It is only not recommended to iron polyester and corrugated corduroy. Be very careful with silk and chiffon.
The video on how to properly use a clothing steamer shows that you can additionally do many things using the device, for example:
- Remove stickers from clothing;
- Steam fur products from the inside;
- Take inhalation for a cold; all you need to do is drop a drop of essential oil;
- Boil the eggs by placing them in a heating container;
- Remove moths from cabinets by steaming around the corners inside;
- Get boiled water for tea.
How to use a steamer correctly? At the end of work, it is necessary to clean the device. Turn off and disconnect the power cord from the network. Drain the cooled water from the tank.
How to use a clothes steamer afterwards? Wipe all elements dry. Return the device to its storage location along with its attachments.
Safety rules when working with the device
How to use a clothes steamer correctly? When ironing clothes, be careful, as the device emits steam at a temperature of 98 degrees Celsius. And to avoid injury, you must adhere to the following rules:
- When preparing for work, carefully follow the instructions for this model.
- Remember, pointing it at a person or animal can cause serious injury, but this should not be done.
- You cannot iron clothes on a person.
- Make sure that the water in the container does not run out.
- Disconnect the device from the electrical network, even if you are away for a minute.
- Do not repair it yourself, use the services of specialists in workshops.
- If you find damage to the power cord, plug, hose or sprayer, do not use it until the damage has been repaired or the defective part has been replaced. Turn on only a fully functional one; for this purpose, before starting work, for safety reasons, always inspect it from the outside.
The video “How to use a steamer” shows that when scale appears on the walls of the water container, you need to fill it with water with citric acid. Bring to a boil and wait three minutes. Then rinse several times.
How to use a handheld clothes steamer afterwards? Make sure there is no citric acid left, boil again if necessary, and steam again. Unless a different descaling action is specified in the manufacturer's instructions.
For ironing suits and other delicate clothes where an iron cannot be reached, it is simply irreplaceable. It does an excellent job, making life easier for any housewife, if, of course, she does not forget to service her steamer on time.