Steamers!

[Tat]

So im in the market for a home steamer for home. I'll use it to touch up suit jackets and pants along with blazers and shirts.

Anyone in the threads community use one? I'd like some recommendations.

[glen_delossantos]

I spent about $40 on my Conair model. It works well and I use it everyday, but I see steamers with better features and stability for just a bit more. The wife bought it and didn't do any research prior but we lucked out and got a decent model.


Look for models with a steam board or with clips to hold garments taught while you steam. Mine only has a hook for a hangar and my garment twists and twirls while I'm steaming it.

[Tat]

When I've been reading about steamers lately, they all are saying that the steam kills odors and cleans 99.9% of the material. So my question is, do you wash you items less when you use a steamer?

[greg_s]

Typically I will just steam things I wouldn't wash. Blazers, suits and pants, the occasional sweater or tie depending on the material. I wash all my dress shirts and make sure to hang them immediately out of the dryer to avoid wrinkles. Otherwise, I hang them in the bathroom while I shower to help loosen up minor wrinkles. But I'm lazy when it comes to the ironing/de-wrinkling of clothes.

[glen_delossantos]

Yes, I steam everything. Cuts down on dry-cleaning. In fact, I've only been to the dry cleaners twice in my entire life. I steam all of my jackets regularly, probably every 3rd or 4th wear. Wool gets washed once in a while with Woolite or baby shampoo and air dried. Between washings, they get steamed. Sometimes I'll wear shirts twice before laundering if I didn't sweat as long as I steam them between wearings. This is possible because I wear undershirts.

[LesserBlackDog]

Glen, when you say "wool gets washed with Woolite," are you talking about stuff like wool suits and jackets, or just sweaters and things?

[glen_delossantos]

Just sweaters and such. Jackets have to go to the dry cleaners. Sorry for not clarifying.

[christian_wagner]

I'm definitely in the market for a steamer—recommendations welcomed!!

[Tat]

Now do you guys wash your sweaters in a washing machine with Woolite or by hand? As stated by my original post, I also am in the market for a steamer.


Thus far, I have my eye on the Jiffy j-2000 steamer.

[LesserBlackDog]

I do my sweaters in the washing machine, inside a mesh laundry bag, on delicate setting. With literally just a few drops of Dr. Bronner's soap. The mesh bag is really useful as it prevents any pulling or stretching of the fibers by the washing machine blades. I got mine for just a few dollars at Target. Similar to this, but mine is branded by Tide:


http://www.amazon.com/Honey-Can-Do-LBG-01144-Sweater-Wash-White/dp/B001F51AP8/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1318898819&sr=8-9


As far as steamers go, I've been looking at some of the hand-held steamers (which are loads cheaper). Most of them seem to get fairly decent reviews. I was in Bed, Bath & Beyond today to buy some cedar hang-ups for my closet and saw one for $20. I might have to pick it up sooner or later.

[glen_delossantos]

I really really suggest investing in an upright steamer. The portable ones are convenient for travel, but they don't output as much steam and the reservoir is much smaller. I bought mine for $40 at Costco, I believe.

[christian_wagner]

I've been poking around Amazon and these four seem interesting. Does anyone have any experience with these models?


Rowenta DR5015 800 Watt Ultra Steam Brush with Travel Pouch

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...pf_rd_i=507846

• I believe that Joe recommended this one at some point?

• Decent price

• Small reservoir

• Some reviews complain that it doesn't get hot enough


Jiffy Steamer ESTEAM Travel Steamer

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...pf_rd_i=507846

• Holds lots of water

• Takes a bit to heat up

• Some reviews make this one sound hazardous


Steam Fast SF-435 Compact Fabric Steamer

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...pf_rd_i=507846

• Similar to the Jiffy above, but half the price


SteamFast SF-407 1500-Watt Fabric Steamer

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...pf_rd_i=507846

• A full standing steamer for ~$60

• For a little more than a travel steamer, you don't have to deal with limited capacity

• It's (obviously) bigger than a travel steamer

[glen_delossantos]

Go with either the Rowenta or the full standing steamer. If you don't need it to travel, definitely go with the full standing steamer. Definitely.