With the invention of the iron, it became much easier for housewives to take care of things. However, the existing variety of models of irons and steamers can cause a lot of questions and doubts. Today, manufacturers are urging everyone to smooth things over with steam. This is the least traumatic way for ironing fibers. We will talk about different methods of steaming today.
What it is?
The principle of operation of any steamer is based on the supply of a jet of hot steam under high pressure. This stream of moist hot air is directed to the clothes, due to which the existing folds are smoothed out. But this is not the only advantage and advantage of such devices. To understand why they are becoming more popular, we will analyze their main advantages.
- Respect for the fabric. The main problem of irons is that they can ruin or even burn the product. It is not possible to do this with a steamer. Hot air gently smoothes the fabric without leaving burnt areas, flashes and creases on it.
- Reduce ironing time. Many people think that steam ironing takes more time. Indeed, the device needs more time to heat up, but then the process goes much faster.
This is especially true for complex things, on which there are many shuttlecocks, ruffling or there are several layers.
- There are things that are physically impossible to iron. These include delicate, fine fabrics, wool and fur.But for the steamer, there are practically no restrictions on use. It is very convenient to use the device when caring for furniture, curtains and rugs.
- It has disinfecting properties. High temperature not only smoothes the tissue, but also kills harmful microorganisms on it. This becomes relevant not only when ironing clothes, but also in the care of furniture, carpets and covers (furniture, cars).
- Eliminates unpleasant odors. As in the previous case, this is true for those surfaces and objects that cannot be washed in the machine or manually.
Types of devices
On the market you can find completely different devices designed for steaming. They differ in appearance, in function, and in price. To understand which one is suitable for your purposes, a kind of classification of devices and a description of their advantages will help.
Hand held
A small and affordable device will become an indispensable assistant on trips or as an addition to the iron. It is not worth considering it as the main ironing device. A small tank and low power will create additional problems. The fact is that the device’s operating time is limited to 10-15 minutes. Then you have to re-fill and heat the water.
With a large volume of steamed products, this is very inconvenient. But on trips, he shows himself from the best side. It has a modest size and all that is required to work with it is a socket, water and a hanger (although you can do without it).
Floor
These devices compare favorably with the previous type in their characteristics. They are a water tank and a telescopic stand. From the tank there is a hose to which the handle-steamer is attached (steam will be supplied through it). It can have several nozzles or be the only one in the set.
More expensive models have not only a telescopic rack with a hanger, but also a vertical ironing surface. This makes work easier. The clothes do not have to be held in addition, it will comfortably fit on the board.
Steam generator
The device is a symbiosis of an iron and a steamer. It has a separate water tank. The device itself is identical with the iron. Steam is supplied through the hose from the reservoir under pressure. It hits the fabric through the holes in the sole of the iron.
The advantage of the device is a large reservoir of water. It will not be necessary to constantly add water when ironing large volumes. The downside is the low mobility of the device and the need to allocate additional space (stand) for the tank. Well, and, of course, you can not do without an ironing board.
With steam cleaner function
Some modern devices are equipped with features such as steam cleaning. If it is available, there will be no need for additional washings of such products as covers, furniture and heavy curtains. Of course, he cannot replace the traditional washing of curtains, but this will have to be done much less often. After all, the product will be kept clean most of the time. The difference from a conventional steamer is the constant supply of steam under pressure. Due to this, the effect of purification is achieved.
How to use an iron?
Under the general name "iron" two devices can be hidden. This is both an ordinary iron and a device with a steamer function. At the same time, not only the methods of their application differ, but the principle of work itself. To understand how to use them correctly, we will give a brief description of both devices.
Almost all modern irons are equipped with a small water tank. But steam has an auxiliary function here. Smoothing occurs due to incandescent sole of the device. The volume of the water tank is limited by the size of the iron itself. Such a quantity will not be enough for a large number of products if steam is supplied continuously and under high pressure.But they can still smooth out small shuttlecocks or thin fabrics without touching the product itself.
Iron steamer has a slightly different design. The water tank is located separately and is connected to the device with a thin hose. Through it, steam is supplied. The smoothing effect is achieved by supplying hot moist air and the sole itself. At the same time, you can adjust the ironing temperature yourself, as well as the steam pressure.
With the first device, everything is clear and simple. It is familiar to many housewives and questions about its operation do not arise. But the steam generator appeared at our disposal relatively recently. Previously, they were available only to professionals working in dry cleaners and ateliers. Therefore, to understand the principle of its use is worth it.
- Pour water into a special tank. It is worth noting that it will be possible to pour water into the iron with a steam generator during ironing, if you did not have enough liquid volume.
- Set the desired temperature and steam pressure. In many devices, this can be done automatically by switching the regulator to the desired mode according to the type of fabric. Look also at the badge attached to the clothes. Manufacturers indicate on it the conditions for caring for clothes, including temperature and ironing method.
- The steam button is located at the bottom of the handle. It is very convenient to clamp it if a constant supply of hot air is required. But you can iron in normal mode. But do not leave the tank empty, as it will heat up and can fail without fluid.
- Another plus of the steam generator is the fact that even if you left it in a horizontal position, after 10 minutes it will stop heating up. This will prevent the risk of fire.
- The ironing process itself will not be any different from using a regular iron. You also place the item on the ironing board and begin to remove all existing folds and creases.
- The steam generator can also be used in an upright position. This is convenient when cleaning the curtains. But then you should choose a device with a long hose.
How to iron?
Although the steamer is a universal appliance for ironing, there are certain nuances of its use for various types of products. We will figure out how to use it to smooth various materials and fabrics.
Cloth clothes
It seems that there should not be questions about the use of the steamer, because it is designed to smooth clothes. But would you decide to use a new device, for example, for ironing a wedding dress and veil? Here the question is not only in the price of the product itself, but also in the key value that this thing plays. There is no question of using an iron when the question is about very delicate fabrics. Then ironing comes to the rescue.
Here is just a small list of those things that you would not dare to entrust to a regular iron, but without fear you can subject it to steaming:
- nylon;
- tulle (skirts, blouses);
- bows;
- berets and hats;
- parka, jacket and other outerwear;
- satin dress.
For every hostess, this list can be supplemented depending on the things that are present in the wardrobe. If you also have difficulties with these categories of things, then you should seriously think about buying this device. Of course, you can do without it, but do not dispute the fact that the device greatly simplifies the care of many things.
Fur products
Not a single woman of fashion will come to mind ironing her expensive mink coat with an ordinary iron or even a steam generator. For such a delicate product, only a steamer is suitable. In the process of improper storage, the pile can become creases and become wavy. And here you can not do without this device. Indeed, such devices are used in professional dry cleaners and fur sales salons (only their power and functionality is much wider).In order not to spoil the fur itself and the skin under it, it is necessary to adhere to some rules when steaming the product with your own hands.
- The product should hang on a wooden coat hanger. Their size should be optimal for this coat.
- Steaming starts with warming up. To do this, the device must be kept at a distance of 20 cm from the product. Gradually, you can reduce it to 15 cm. But do not lean the steamer close to the pile.
- After finishing work, shake the product several times. So you get rid of a lot of water. Without removing the coat from the shoulders, hang it to dry.
In this way, you can steam a mink coat, Arctic fox products (including collars and a hem) at home. The same steaming rules apply to artificial products. Only here you can skip the warm-up phase, as there is no risk of damaging the natural pile or leather lining.
Knitten things
In addition to the fact that these products require special care when washing, the ironing process is fraught with certain risks. In this case, the steamer also comes to the rescue. The fact is that even special modes on ordinary irons do not guarantee you the complete safety of natural fibers. One awkward movement or delay in work can completely ruin your favorite sweater.
When using steam, the product will not lose its attractive appearance, get rid of wrinkles and bumps and remain intact. To do this, dry it after washing. To minimize the risk of downsizing or stretching of individual parts, it is best to do this on a vertical surface. Next, hang the thing on your shoulders. It can be those that come with outdoor devices or an ordinary hanger. If you have a function for selecting a mode on the steamer, then turn on the corresponding one and start ironing.
Vertical steaming
This function in steamers of various kinds is convenient not only because there is no need to use an ironing board, but also for a number of points. For example, it allows you to care for a hat made of felt, which can not be crushed and bent. It is also indispensable if you want to steam upholstered furniture. This is especially convenient if you use covers. It will be possible to give them their original appearance directly on the spot. That is, you put them on furniture and start ironing. Young mothers fear that dangerous bacteria accumulate on the carpet and soft toys. It is possible to carry out a kind of disinfection using a steamer. After all, the temperature of the steam is high enough to destroy most of the dangerous microorganisms.
Another wide area of application is the smoothing of curtains. Moreover, they can be made of various fabrics (nylon, polyester, organza). It will be possible to iron them when the product is still wet or already dried.
Tips
In addition to the above advantages and methods of using the steamer, there are some more cases, when its use greatly simplifies housework.
- Too dry underwear. Manufacturers of clothes and other textile products are advised to iron products only after they have completely dried. But when the laundry is too dry (especially if the conditioner was not used when washing) it is difficult to smooth it out in the usual way. Then you have to re-wet or iron it through wet gauze. There is no need for this if you apply steam ironing. A directed jet of moist hot air will do everything for you. In this case, you can not be afraid to damage vulnerable tissue and fibers.
- Zalomy. Even when using aggressive high temperatures, it is very difficult to get rid of them. The best option here is to use a steam generator. Acting on the fabric with hot steam and its own weight, it copes with the task of ironing such difficult areas.
- Baby clothes. In addition to the fact that it is made in most cases from natural materials, ironing of which is associated with the risk of damage to the fibers, tiny dimensions also add additional difficulties. The steamer can easily smooth out even the smallest details, such as sleeves and ruffles.
- Natural linen and pure cotton, woolen products. Products from these fabrics are difficult to iron, even if it is not dry. Linen curtains, drapes and tablecloths often have serious creases after washing. But you can avoid additional difficulties by simply hanging the curtains on the ledge (and putting the tablecloth on the table) and starting to smooth it with a steamer.
Modern steamers provide a host of benefits to housewives. They save time and make possible the care of even very delicate materials. The technique of their work is quite simple. Many are scared away by the price and unusualness of the structures themselves. But all doubts about the ease of use disappear after a few ironing sessions.
See how to use a garment steamer in the next video.