The Best Steamer for Clothes in Canada
Excited to put on that little black dress only to see it’s covered in wrinkles? Or wanting to get your curtains looking fresh and crisp? Get a fabric steamer to gently tug out those wrinkles. Clothing steamers minimize the risk of burning or damaging fabrics and can be used on a wide variety of textiles. Here, we’ve collected a few top-rated clothes steamers as well as provide tips on your next purchase and for steaming clothes.
The Best Clothing Steamerss
Things to consider in your purchase
Type – Generally, there are three basic forms of steamer: regular, portable and standing or vertical steamers. Portable steamers have a bigger emphasis being compact, which means they have a smaller size, can hold less water and are lighter. Standing steamers have a larger capacity for steaming multiple clothing items, can reach higher for applications like curtains. Upright steamers are also more ergonomical as you can just work standing up while only handling the wand.
Tank capacity – How much water the steamer holds, determines how frequently you’ll have to stop to refill and the surface area you are likely to cover before running out. If you only have the odd clothing item to steam out then a portable-sized one will do just fine. For anyone who deals with fabrics in a professional capacity or regularly steams curtains, a vertical steamer may make a more sound investmemt.
Wattage & heating element – Some larger models use a lot of power which can help you blow a fuse, especially if the used outlet is servicing other appliances. Heating elements that are
Additional features – Some steamers have additional attachments for handling different types of fabrics or modifying the steam jet.
The best clothes steamer overall
Conair Turbo Extreme Steam Handheld Steamer
This garment steamer is likely to show up on many top lists for the same reason nearly 9,000 reviewers rated it an average of 4.5 stars. In the package, you’ll find 3 attachments: a band for pulling fabrics taught as you steam, so you don’t have to risk burning your fingers; a brush for heavier or more fibrous fabrics; and a spacer to prevent you from damaging your more fragile fabrics, such as silk. The device itself also has a creasing clip to give you those crisp ironed-on edges. It also has a turbo setting to boost the steam power to straighten heavyset fabrics. So, if you’re in need of straightening a wide variety of fabrics without the hassle of a standing steamer, then this might be the steamer for you.
With a 7.3 oz tank, it will give you a total of 15 minutes of continuous steam after a 40 second heat-up. The double-slits allows for a seamless jet of steam that doesn’t miss any spots. Unfortunately, some users have complained that this steamer gives quite the wrist workout thanks to its tank. Between this and the need for a frequent refills means that this pick won’t work for someone who has many items to work on at once.
Pros
- 7.3 oz water tank.
- Quick heat up.
- 15 minutes of use.
- Portable.
Cons
- Heavy on the wrists.
- Not for bulk steaming projects.
The bed budget clothes steamer
HiLife Steamer
For those not looking to shell out for a steamer with all the bells and whistles, this is the steamer for you. This unit only comes with the steamer and a brush attachment in the package, but it’s just enough to get the job done. It has a 240 mL tank for 15 minutes of continuous steam that gets the job done. It has a cord over 9 ft. long so you won’t have to worry about only being able to work by an outlet.
Though they say this device is lightweight and suitable for travel, we think its bit bulbous shape makes it not ideal (though not impossible) for fitting in a suitcase or carryon. And indeed, some users have reported that when filled this container may also strain your wrists after long periods of use.
Pros
- 9′ cord, 240 mL tank.
- 15 minutes of work.
Cons
- Prone to spill/spewing if not held vertically.
Best travel steamer
CHI Handheld Garment Steamer
The first thing you’ll notice about this steamer is its sleek and compact size. This manufacturer has stuck to its roots in hair tools and created a garment steamer resembling a flat iron, shirking traditional kettle-bell design. Despite being able to be comfortably held like a rod, this tank is built directly in the handle and can hold enough to give five minutes of steam time. That’s not a lot, but enough for those who have to do light workloads on the road.
For those looking for something with more staying power, perhaps this isn’t the device for you. But for frequent flyers it comes with a handy travel pouch and weighs about a pound when filled. You also don’t have to worry about using this in cramped quarters either, as this this handheld steamer can work from any angle and has an 8 ft. cord. However, when it comes to setting it down in between work, there is no upright way to set down the steamer as its cord juts out of the bottom side.
Pros
- Less than a foot long and has an inch-squared footprint.
- Comes with travel pouch.
- Slim design.
- 30 second heat up.
Cons
- No way to put this down in between uses.
- Not for prolonged use (up to 5 minutes).
- Expensive (the second-most expensive on this list).
Best standing steamer
Jiffy J-2000 Garment steamer
For those looking for a professional clothes steamer, this one is for you. Designed for light commercial work, this steamer has an upright stand for hanging up your items as you work. With a nearly 3L water tank, you can get up to 90 minutes that only takes two minutes to heat up. This behemoth tank is attached to a 7 ft. cord and a 5.5 ft. hose and produces a powerful jet of steam to make steaming large items like your curtains a breeze. If you have to transport this up and down a flight of stairs, reconsider to a handheld steamer, as this steamer clocks in at a whopping 17 lbs. However, it makes up for this bulk with a sturdy plastic and aluminum casing.
The tank is also portable with wheels for ease of transport, especially for those using this on a commercial floor. Some other reviewers noted that when moved, the tank may spill, but these reviews were few and far between. Other users also stated that the hose had the tendency to heat up with prolonged use making it uncomfortable. If you’re worried about accidentally starting a fire with this device, don’t worry, the steamer features an automatic shut-off. Given the large reservoir, this steamer also has a longer heatup time than most taking 2 minutes to heat up.
Pros
- 90 oz. reservoir, in sturdy casing.
- Automatic shut-off.
- 90 minutes of steam.
Cons
- Heavy at 17 lbs.
- Hose is stiff.
- Slow heat up time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a steamer for clothes work?
A steamer works by directing a flow of vapour at hung fabric. The warm moisture loosens the fibers within the fabric to release creases and wrinkles.
How to use a garment steamer?
Simply hang the clothing up you want to steam and guide the steamer along the fabric until it’s smooth.
Can I use a clothes steamer on any type of fabric?
Materials that are prone to shrink in heat, or don’t handle moisture well such as leather, suede or velvet should not be steamed.
Delicate fabrics such as satin or silk can be carefully steamed inside-out to avoid ruining the material.
Clothes steamer vs. iron: Which one is best?
For stiff or bulky fabrics such as denim or those with deep-set wrinkles, an iron will work much more quickly.
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