How to choose a manual garment steamer?

Ironing is a tedious task. Good housewives know that for the perfect type of clothing you need to make a lot of effort, be diligent and accurate. Delicate and decorated fabrics, as well as curtains, are extremely difficult to iron. There is a device capable of making the ironing process simpler and easier. A manual steamer is a compact and comfortable household appliance that helps housewives tidy up any fabrics. If you choose the right device, it will make ironing easy and will be a good helper who saves time.

The steamer is a manual steam generator for fabrics. This is an electric device. It produces steam that smoothes and cleans clothes. The temperature of steam flows is + 98– + 99 degrees. They are able to penetrate deep into the fibers and make them smooth, without stretching. In addition, things are disinfected by means of hot steam, and it is also possible to clean them of minor contaminants without any problems. The most significant positive quality of the devices is the possibility of vertical ironing. It is convenient and fast, therefore many housewives with pets purchase a device for cleaning clothes from wool.

It could restore the form of a felt hat, an extremely popular and sought-after accessory in those days. Now the steamer can be seen in many houses, as they won the hearts of the housewives, making their life much easier. They are also used in clothing boutiques, hotels and other professional institutions.

Each model is capable of performing many functions. She weighed clothes made of various fabrics by weight, which is extremely convenient and saves a lot of time. You can clean furniture, get rid of a strong smell on any thing, perfectly iron the curtains, wash the windows (if there is a necessary nozzle), sanitize soft toys (quickly destroy dust mites and germs). Using such a device is easy and simple. Any person can deal with its functionality, which is why models are popular and in demand. They save time, because putting things in order can be pretty quick. Many do it right before leaving the house.

There are many different varieties and patterns of fabric steamers. To choose a suitable unit, it is worth exploring the classification of devices, which will help determine the choice.

• Vertical device - compact, small-sized, easily stored anywhere. It is multifunctional, extremely powerful. With it, you can vertically iron curtains and clothes, easily smooths a coat. It is used both at home and in production. Quite rarely, the device is used for ironing on an ironing board.
• Hand steamer - This is an ideal option for people who lead an active lifestyle or are constantly on the move. Its dimensions are extremely tiny, so without any problems the device can be taken with you on the road. This is a convenient device that allows you to put things in order in any conditions.

• Floor option - This is a productive and popular device that is used only in rooms. It has high power. A volumetric fluid reservoir is purchased in the kit. Most often it is used to iron a large amount of things in uninterrupted mode (it can easily work an hour and a half).
• Mini steamer - This is a device that has many different models that can smooth out linen, shirts, pants and other things. The cost of such an assistant is low. It differs from irons in that it gently and carefully strokes even delicate and incredibly thin fabric without causing any harm to it. The appliance does not need an ironing board or table. Clothes are steamed right on the hanger.

Due to its positive qualities, the steamer is popular and in demand. Such a device can be seen in almost every home, since when using it you do not need to put things on an ironing board. Clothing is placed on a coat hanger. It is worth to familiarize yourself with the following advantages of steamers:

• almost any fabric will tolerate ironing with steam, even if it is “capricious”;
• the device does not weigh too much, you can take it with you to the country or on a trip (without liquid it will be even easier);
• Ideal for smoothing out various suits in which there are many folds and ruffles; complex parts are not a hindrance to the device;
• there is a security system - if there is no liquid in the tank, the device will not turn on;
• it is used for curtains and curtains without any problems - they do not need to be removed from the cornice;
• By smoothing things, the device disinfects them and eliminates unpleasant odors.

A manual steamer is what helps the housewife to iron clothes with pleasure. The devices have an affordable price, so everyone can buy them. Like any other device, they have some disadvantages.

• When the device is used, you should carefully watch how it is located in space. The steamer should only be held upright and only five degrees away from the vertical. If this is careless, hot water can fall on a person’s hands, after which he will get a burn.
• The fluid capacity in some models is not too large. Filling the device once, you can use it for 10-15 minutes.
• Some appliances have low power. In this regard, the productivity of vaporization, component of fifteen ml / min. Most often, such characteristics are found in inexpensive units. At higher quality devices, you can see the performance of 55 ml / min.

To choose a worthy device that facilitates ironing, you need to use some recommendations and study the characteristics of the product. It is worth considering several parameters.

• Power is the most significant aspect affecting how quickly the water in the tank will heat up, as well as the amount of steam converted from it. Many handheld devices have a power of 1000–1200 W, but there are more powerful devices. If the indicator is high, then ironing will be more effective. But we must not forget that such a device consumes quite a lot of electricity. Almost all mini-devices have a power of 1000 watts, therefore, rough fabrics are extremely poorly smoothed.
• Steam supply and pressure are another important parameter when choosing a steamer for home use. The process of ironing with coarse material becomes easier when steam is supplied under pressure, which facilitates smoothing things. The optimal indicator is 35–40 ml / min.

• The tank volume and the amount of fluid required for the model should be considered. If the reservoir is large, then the apparatus will not need to be refilled often, it will work much longer. But it must be borne in mind that if the capacity is quite voluminous, then the device is heavy. Floor steamers have a reservoir of 1-2 liters, manual - from 50-60 to 500 milliliters. It is better to purchase the device in which it will be possible to add liquid during ironing, without breaking away from it.
• You need to carefully read the instructions, as it says what kind of water is needed for work. Some models work only with bottled or distilled liquid, while in others you can fill in ordinary tap water.

• It is necessary to study the operating modes of the device. If the steamer is single-mode, the user will not be able to adjust the steam supply rate. This option is good only if a person needs to iron only the same type of fabric. Devices with several modes have a higher price, but they are effective and able to smooth any fabric.
• The housing may be plastic, metal or ceramic. Ceramics and metal are the most reliable and durable materials that guarantee a long service life of the device. In metal appliances, there may be an additional heating element, which prevents condensation.

You need to pay attention to the complete set of the device, make sure that there are the necessary accessories. It is best to purchase devices with a variety of brushes that clean clothes well from dirt. Another useful thing is a heat-resistant board through which it is convenient to smooth collars and cuffs. The mitten protecting the hostess's hands from burns is a necessary trifle, which must be included. Most often, these accessories are purchased with outdoor devices. Manual counterparts may not have a rich set.

The device with a long cord has great functionality, and it is also very maneuverable. But do not buy a steamer with a cord of huge length, since the ironing process will not be too convenient. Dimensions need to be selected, given what the device is purchased for. If the steam generator will be used at home, you can buy a big one.If you need to take it on the road, it is better to give preference to compact models.

Manufacturers offer a variety of different types and models of hand steamers. They differ in their characteristics, so before buying it is better to study the reviews and qualities of various options. It is worth considering the rating of the most popular devices that have won the hearts of many.

• Endever odyssey - This is a worthy offer that has a high price and good functionality. Power - nine hundred watts, steam is heated to one hundred and three degrees. 450 milliliters of liquid may be in the barrel. Without refueling, he will be able to smooth out 4-5 things, which he does efficiently and quickly. It is a miniature kettle, there are many additional nozzles through which you can smooth and clean various items of clothing. Some do not stop steaming clothes and furniture by the device, using it in different areas, since the device has a freshener nozzle, with which it can aromatize the air in the room. There is a cone funnel for inhalation, as well as a mask container, so that the hostess can carry out cosmetic procedures at home.

• Manufacturer from the Netherlands Philips created an excellent manual model that has sufficient power and a steam generation force of 1000 watts. The formation of steam occurs rather quickly; you can use the device one minute after turning it on. 60 milliliters of water are poured into the container. Steam supply - 20 g / min. In the reviews, many write that the design of the device is interesting and convenient. The device resembles a brush with a long cord (two meters) and light weight (six hundred grams). The kit does not have a large number of nozzles.

• Polaris PGS 1412C - This is an ergonomic model whose design is extremely aesthetically pleasing. Thanks to the smooth lines, the device looks interesting and stylish. Conveniently located buttons with which steam is supplied, so users may not worry about security. The design is quite portable. A person’s hand securely grabs the handle located on the body, and the user clearly directs air to the tissue.

• MIE Assistente M - This is an incredibly powerful (1500 W) model, which perfectly smooths even the most dense materials. The surface of the device is smooth, made of metal, which allows it to be a universal option. It can be used for horizontal ironing. This is a convenient model that you can take with you on a trip.

• Kitfort KT-910 has many praise from grateful users. The main quality of this unit is that it has a useful option - a sensor that monitors the water level in the tank. The package includes a steam hose (one and a half meters), a capacious tank for liquid (1.8 l). Power - 2200 watts, so the device works with dignity and quality. You can use the steamer 30–40 seconds after turning it on, which saves the user time.

• Rowenta Company offers a decent option for those who need a good thing that can delight owners for many years. The stylish vertical unit can be moved around the room without any problems. It has voluminous wheels that easily maneuver and a rather long cord (2.6 meters), which allows you to install the unit where it will be more comfortable to iron. In the configuration there is a double telescopic aluminum stand, the height of which can be adjusted. With its help, you can adjust the hanger to the height of a person, so it is extremely convenient. Another good news for active users - the model has a foot drive. The front of the case is equipped with a power button, which allows you to control the device with comfort.The cord is reeled up automatically, there is a built-in tank in order to store additional accessories. The handle is comfortable, helps to move the device. There are indicators for water level and hot air supply.

• Endever Odyssey Q-405 - This is a concise and simple device that does not have a rack in order to place clothes vertically. Manufacturers changed the classic model and got a device that has a low price, mobility and versatility. The average power (1500 W) allows you to use the steamer for various fabrics and smooth them quickly and efficiently. The volume of the tank is six hundred milliliters. The device perfectly disinfects upholstered furniture, mattresses, carpets and other items, which is why it is indispensable for those who have small children and pets. It cleans items of clothing well, eliminates wool, lint and minor impurities.

• Endever Odyssey Q-410 / Q-411 / Q-412 / Q-413 It looks incredibly aesthetically pleasing and beautiful. It is a kettle with a wide neck. Power is small (800 W), but it gives out a rather large pressure of hot air, with the help of which it smooths out tissues qualitatively. It does not spoil things, handles carefully even with the most delicate fabrics. The tank holds two hundred milliliters of liquid, allowing you to steam 2-3 things. This is ideal for home use at the lowest price. There are a sufficient number of reviews on the Internet, most of which are positive. Users like to work with this unit, they praise its functionality and quality.

Choosing such an apparatus is a simple matter that requires attention and responsibility. But it is important not only to choose the right device correctly, but also to be able to use it correctly. Careless use of the steamer can lead to various problems, including damage to equipment and damage to things. You should pay attention to such useful tips and tricks:

• during ironing, the fabric is saturated with moist air, so after finishing it is necessary to give things time (2-3 minutes), and not immediately put them on; the clothes must dry, otherwise they may become deformed;
• smoothing curtains is a phased work, which should be treated more responsibly;

• bulk towels or bedding are best smoothed by placing them on a dryer;
• if the device can steam things horizontally, you can spread them on the mattress, so the ironing process will be more convenient and comfortable;
• it is important to remember that not every model can take good care of fur products; you should study the instructions, and if there is no information on this subject, it is better to start refreshing fur coats and sheepskin coats from areas that are not too noticeable;

• so that the ironing process is safe, and the clothes are smoothed out qualitatively, you need to keep the ironing at a distance of 5-10 centimeters from the thing;
• if it is necessary to iron the down jacket, it should be slightly damp; thus, filler fibers will be much easier to straighten.

To use a household steamer means to facilitate the ironing process, making it simple and short-lived. With its help, you can make clothes smooth and neat in a matter of minutes, tidy up items made of thick or delicate fabric, make upholstered furniture fresh and smooth out curtains in a quality manner. He is an indispensable assistant in any home. But it should be remembered that such a device will not be able to completely replace a conventional iron. This is only possible for those models that have the function of horizontal ironing.

See how to choose a garment steamer in the next video.