How to clean clothes steamers

The steamer makes it easy to remove dirt and unpleasant odors, giving freshness to clothes. This device can help keep our clothes in good condition and clean, but how can we take care of the garment steamer and prolong its life because it runs on water and has a risk of scale forming?

How to take care of your steamer?

In steamers, it is recommended to use filtered or bottled water: this will extend the life of the device and avoid damage to clothes. After all, water with a high iron content can leave rust stains, and an increased level of salt and water hardness can harm black garments. After each use, it is recommended to empty the tank, ventilate and dry it. In this case, the limescale will not appear for a long time.

As for maintenance, some manufacturers supply their steamers with special cassettes that collect limescale, which can then be cleaned. To do this, it is necessary, for example, to lower such a cassette into a solution of a citric acid-based agent.

How do you clean the bottom of a steam iron? The easiest way is to wipe with a mixture of water with vinegar or citric acid. You can also clean a garment steamer with vinegar or citric acid.  Prepare a mixture: 250 ml of water will require 50 ml of vinegar or 1 teaspoon of citric acid for dissolution.

Pour this liquid into the tank and turn on the device, supplying steam until the liquid is completely finished. This treatment is best done in a ventilated area.  Do not inhale vinegar vapors!

Top-5 tips for cleaning clothes with steamer

How to clean clothes steamers? The user should take into account a few tips when using a steamer for more effective cleaning and extending the life of the device.

1. Use only clean water to avoid stains and streaks on your clothes.

2. Move the steamer head nearly parallel to the surface being cleaned to prevent fabric damage.

3. Adjust the steam power according to the type of fabric.

4. Use a special stand with clothes hangers for easy cleaning.

5. After cleaning, provide ventilation for clothes.

The key steps for cleaning clothes with a steamer

To effectively clean your favorite wardrobe items without accidentally damaging the fabric, save the checklist and just follow these simple tips step by step.

A steamer lets you get three tasks done at once: cleaning, disinfection and ironing. Thus,  you can quickly tidy up your clothes using a single device. Refresh the looks of your favorite garments in just a few minutes:

1. Prepare clothes for cleaning. Place garments vertically on the hangers.

2. Add clean water (preferably filtered) to the tank of the device.

3. Turn on the gadget and wait a few moments for steam to form.

4. Get started. To tidy up clothes as quickly as possible, you need to slightly stretch the fabric with your hand so that the surface of the fabric is both cleaned and smoothed out under the action of steam.

5. After finishing work, turn off the steamer and let the clothes hang and air out on the hanger for a few more minutes.

How does a steamer work?

In the steamer tank, water heated to a boil comes to the surface under high pressure  in the form of a jet of hot steam . The steamer helps to get rid of dirt and disinfects. Hot steam kills pathogenic bacteria and allergens.

Moreover, it does not require the use of additional chemicals providing the safest possible cleaning of clothes. So a steam cleaner is one of the most economical and environmentally friendly devices for cleaning clothes and beyond.

Benefits of cleaning clothes with steamers

The garment steamer technique has many different advantages over other laundry or dry cleaning methods.

1. Fast dirt removal

Clothes will look great in just a few minutes. Stains of various origins can be easily removed with steam treatment.

2. Disinfection

Pathogenic microbes and viruses that may be contained on clothing, as well as dust mites, die when treated with hot steam.

3. Delicate cleaning

The fabric does not wear out as quickly if there are no frequent washes. Steaming provides gentle care for delicate fabrics.

4. Degreasing and leveling the surface of the fabric

Hot steam removes the greasy areas of the fabric on the clothes, straightens the fibers and gives a more well-groomed look.

5. Chemical-free clothing cleaning

This is an important item for allergy sufferers, people with sensitive skin and when cleaning children’s clothes.

What else can be cleaned with a steamer?

In addition to clothes, the steamer can be used to clean floors, walls, furniture, carpets, children’s toys, and even, albeit with greater care, treat plants.

How to choose a steamer

There are two types of steamers: vertical with clothes rack, and portable handheld models. The most convenient and versatile option are manual steamers. Modern models of devices can have a variety of functions. What features are really important and what should I look for when choosing a steamer? How do these characteristics relate то different types of devices?

Universal operations

The possibility of not only vertical, but also horizontal steaming is important, when you need to work not with hanging, but with things laid out on a horizontal surface or to clean a sofa or a carpet. Most steamers can be used for horizontal steaming, but you should check this at the time of purchase. Universal models of AENO brand steamers can be used vertically and horizontally, depending on the need.

Water tank & Working time

It is generally considered important that the water tank is removable. It’s just more convenient and easier to use. The operating time is usually determined by runout of steam supply without topping up water at minimum speed. You can estimate how many garments you can process during this time. There are models for literally one garment (working time 10 minutes), there are models for an entire closet.

The 250 ml water tank allows you to steam for up to 16 minutes without adding water. For example, one of the models of the AENO brand has such a capacity.

Steamer head plate

A wider nozzle of the steamer’s head speeds up the process, a narrow nozzle, conversely, slows it down.  So it is optimal to choose models with an average size. Models of AENO brand steamers have just such a convenient size of nozzle. But the shape of the nozzle – oval or with a pointed nose – does not matter much. At the same time, the steamer head plate is important, because the versatility of the device and its ability to replace the iron at home depend on this.

Steam modes & indicators

Many appliances have a steam ready indicator, and this is useful: you will not try to work when the steamer is not yet ready – this will help in avoiding pouring water on garments and hands. The AEHO brand offers steamer models with a steam output of 35 g/min for fast and efficient steaming. In total, there are 3 modes for adjusting the steam supply: low, medium, and powerful.

Working with steam:

Dangerous vs Safe

The steamer heats water and releases steam, but is it safe or is there a risk of getting burned from hot water or steam? As a rule, the risk of getting burned is minimal if you follow all the recommendations and use the device for its intended purpose. In addition, many manufacturers provide different ways of using: a “drip-stop” system to prevent water from pouring out, a functional design of the steamer, in which the head of the steamer is far from the handle. All this should be considered when buying.

Summary

Thus, the steamer is a universal assistant in the care of clothes. You can use it at home or take it with you on trips to quickly put your wardrobe in order. For specialists in the fashion industry, a steamer is an indispensable working tool because it quickly tidies up clothes after unpacking and trying on in a store or before going to the catwalk. If you have a reverent attitude to the state of clothes and your appearance, then the garment steamer will become your best assistant. Such a device is easy to use, although it requires compliance with the instructions and basic safety rules.

Different brands offer models of steamers with the widest range of options. If you need the most versatile and portable steamer model, it is recommended to pay attention to manual compact models. So you free up space in the house and your time for washing, ironing and bringing clothes into proper shape with just one device. Home appliance brand AENO offers several steamer models to take care of your clothes. Find detailed specifications of devices at the link https://aeno.com/category/home-and-clothing-care/handheld-garment-steamer