Can a steamer completely replace an iron?

Housekeeping should be a joy, or at least not cause a feeling of melancholy from endless ironing, washing and cleaning. How can we make our life easier? I found an excellent alternative to the iron, and today I want to share a useful experience on how I freed up time for a cup of Sunday coffee.

What is a steamer?

All models on the market have common features: the supply of steam under pressure, which acts on the fabric, straightening folds, killing germs and musty odors. Manual options are more compact, lightweight and handle fewer things, with little power. Floor-standing units are much stronger and allow you to completely replace the iron. Just remember that after processing the item, it will be a little damp for some time, and you should definitely dry it, and not immediately put it on and run to a date or to the store.

The steam has a temperature of 98–99 °C, it does not harm materials, and some manufacturers offer smart devices with a function for adjusting the supply.

Which manufacturers should you look at?

When you come to a store or look through lines of products on the Internet, pay attention to those who have been producing equipment for a long time, read customer reviews. Unknown companies will become a dark horse for us, and trusted manufacturers provide a guarantee of quality.

• Scarlett sells the most affordable devices.They are easy to use and come complete with attachments.
• Polaris offers options with different steam modes. Personally, I like it when there are programs indicating the type of fabric, it’s easier to navigate and not waste time studying the instructions. If you choose in a store, pay attention to the rigidity of the spray hose. It is better to choose those that do not bend.
• Tefal It has always had a high price, but its quality is excellent! Judging by the reviews, the Instant Control model is capable of changing the steam pressure, helping to select the mode for the fabric and dirt.
• Philips also applies to expensive manufacturers. My attention was drawn to a device with the Essence prefix; it has a very interesting feature: a capsule for scenting laundry, you can pour your favorite scent into it and enjoy.

What I never recommend is Chinese technology. No Tifal or Phillips can replace the real brand!

Advantages

Having tried the steamer, I immediately found many advantages. The models differ in functionality, price and size, but common features are easy to find:

1. Mobility will allow you to iron things right on the hanger, without having to spend hours moving things from place to place.
2. It will be possible to tidy up fur vests and fur coats.
3. Delicacy will allow you to carefully steam items with rhinestones, leather inserts and sequins.
4. Suitable for velor and velvet, it gently lifts the pile and knocks out all the dust particles. Things are restored to their original shine and sophistication.
5. Won't leave any creases behind!
6. Removes unpleasant odors. For example, when we take winter things out of storage in the closet, we begin to air them, getting rid of mustiness and the taste of eternal lavender from moths. Steam can handle this issue one or two times!

Now with this device we can fully care for woolen suits, silk dresses, down jackets and other wardrobes.

The higher the price and the larger, more functional the device, the more advantages!

How to navigate the choice

The huge assortment makes you confused, but there are several points you need to pay attention to:

1. Manual models are compact in size, perfect for travelers and business trips. The price is low, but the power is less.
2. Floor-standing units are more expensive, but they have better performance. They can easily iron a whole pile of clothes and linen!
3. Pay attention to the size of the tank. Large containers hold enough water without requiring refilling.
4. I’ll tell you how to navigate by power: up to 1800 watts is suitable for thin fabrics, knitwear, and above that it can cope with almost any materials and ironing volumes.
5. Multifunctional units are expensive and take up a lot of space, so they are worth buying for those who do sewing at home, but they are not worth it for household chores.

In the theater, costume designers prepare complex costumes for the performance using steaming! Steam does not harm expensive fabrics and decorations.

Once upon a time, steamers stood on display with astronomical price tags and were available only to professionals. Now they have become much more accessible, winning the hearts of housewives with their simplicity and convenience. Hot steam will also disinfect surfaces, killing dust mites, so I believe that a good steamer is a worthy replacement for a regular iron. But you don’t need to throw anything away; men’s shirts and creases on trousers are best treated the old fashioned way.