How often did you spend half a morning getting ready for work to smooth out the intractable folds on your shirt or blouse? And Sunday ironing clean linen, takes you a third of the day off? When the capacity of the iron is not enough, help the steamer, smoothing the fabric with a jet of steam.
We will help you choose a quality steamer that will turn ironing into real entertainment and prolong the life of your favorite things!
A bit of history
The first steamer, which became the prototype of modern devices, was patented in 1940 by the American company Jiffy Steamer and was intended to restore the forms of felt hats that were popular in those days. Subsequently, the device has become more focused on clothing, there are many models that differ in characteristics, size and price. For domestic consumers, steamers became available only in the early 2000s, were accepted with great enthusiasm and are still very popular today. But initially - it's in the bag!
What is needed steamer: applications
The main purpose - quick, comfortable and, most importantly, delicate smoothing of folds, dents on textiles, fur or even leather. With the help of such devices, it is easy and simple to put clothes in order, to give them a neat and fresh look. At the same time, the treated fabric softens and becomes more elastic.
Power models able to become a very real alternative to the classic iron, and sometimes truly help out in situations where he is not able to help. For example, smoothing things from thin and delicate materials (which are not suitable for contact with red-hot soles), outerwear, blouses, shirts, dresses with complex decorative elements of cut should be entrusted to the steamer.
Appliances used in everyday life are not only effective for fighting folds on clothes, but also sufficiently universal. Such useful functions as steaming of curtains, disinfection of upholstered furniture, children's toys, removal of unpleasant smells, refreshment, moistening are available.
Incredibly claimed device and in the professional field. Hotels, boutiques, wedding salons, dry cleaners use steamers to service a large amount of clothing without the risk of overdrying or damage. After all, the temperature of the steam usually does not exceed 100 ° C.
What are steamers for clothes
There are several types of steamers for clothes, and the choice of one or another of them depends on the tasks assigned to the device, the functionality and relevance of the characteristics for the purposes for which it is actually acquired.
Hand held
Simple, convenient and compact type of steamer, the principle of action of which differs little from the operation of an electric kettle. Moreover, as in this quality, most hand-held devices can be successfully used. This option is most relevant as a road accessory, but it is also suitable at home for performing not the most difficult tasks of smoothing products made of light fabrics (T-shirts, blouses, shirts, etc.), neutralizing bacteria and "absorbed" odors.
Advantages of hand otparivatel: light weight, compact (easily fit even in a small bag).
disadvantages: low power, limited time of continuous work due to the small volume of the water tank, poor efficiency for natural (flax, cotton) and some dense fabrics (drape, tweed, cashmere).
Outdoor
This type of device is considered a classic. It consists of a housing placed on the floor with a water tank and a heating system, a hose with a steam iron at the end and, in most cases, a vertical stand with hangers for hanging clothes.
Structurally can be:
- Self flowing. Again - the principle of the kettle. In the boiler, the water is heated, and the generated steam through the hose flows out through the holes in the iron. Initially, all the steamers were flowless, until their hegemony was violated by more advanced models, which are described below;
- With vapor pressure. In this case, the generated steam is held in the boiler with a special valve until the optimum pressure is reached. In this way, a more powerful outlet stream is provided, which penetrates the fibers of the fabric more intensively and more deeply. Accordingly, smoothing becomes as efficient as possible.
Advantages of floor standing steamers: power is much higher than that of manual models, long continuous operation, improved functionality.
TO disadvantages include: decent size and weight, higher price, not the best maneuverability.
Multifunctional
These devices are combines capable of performing the functions of two or more separate devices using a single steam generator. However, they are more profitable for the price and take up less space.
The most common options are:
- Steamer Steam Cleaner. Such models are completed with additional nozzles for cleaning vertical and horizontal hard surfaces, upholstered furniture, sanitary ware. Another option is a steam cleaner with a steamer function. The main difference is an increase in steam power, pressure and temperature;
- 3 in 1 - steamer, steam cleaner, iron. For these devices, the ironing function is additionally available with the help of a powerful and practically professional steam iron;
- Steamer with ironing board. Thanks to the folding design, the device is able to perform the usual functions of vertical processing of clothes or turn into a horizontal mini ironing system, where the steam iron of a triangular shape replaces the traditional iron.
The main criteria for selecting the steamer
Power
The heating rate mainly depends on this parameter. In most cases, the amount of outgoing steam is also affected, although not always. Manual models of steamers are better to choose with a power not lower than 1000, floor models - from 1500 W. Otherwise, there is a very high probability of joining the ranks of frustrated users who consider the steamer to be a useless device.
Water tank capacity
The larger it is, the longer the continuous operation of the device will be. And, therefore, you can handle more things and do it more carefully.
Steam intensity
Measured by grams per minute. From how much steam is supplied to the tissue per unit of time, the efficiency of its processing directly depends. If you want a machine that can cope with the most difficult tasks - choose a model of steamer with a high intensity.
Pressure
The unit is bar. Most often, universal steamer-steam cleaners work under pressure. A good value is a figure of 3.5 bar, 5 or higher - just great.
Number of modes
There are advanced models that have separate levels of steam supply for different types of fabrics. This format is best suited for professional use in shops, studios, hotels. For domestic models, one standard mode is enough. Steam temperatures up to 100 ° C will not create problems even for the most delicate materials.
Hose length
The larger it is, the more convenient it is to use the device.But when choosing a steamer with a long hose, you should definitely clarify - is there a heater in the iron? If not, the advantage turns into a disadvantage.
Material steam ironing
Metal sole stronger, more durable and more reliable plastic. If the device in question has the function of horizontal stripping, it is useful to pay attention to the presence of a special coating that improves slip.
Water quality
Inexpensive steamers usually have no protection against the formation of scale and, in order to avoid a quick breakdown, for normal operation it is necessary to use distilled water, which will have to be bought periodically. Therefore, over time, the usual perception of “cheaply-expensive” becomes more and more blurred.
Top steamers medium and high price ranges, as a rule, are equipped with filtering and softening water from the tap and in this regard are more economical.
Additional features
Modern steamers are quite functional, so the choice is so complicated. However, the presence of additional accessories in the kit can be a very useful bonus and help expand the capabilities of the steamer.
- Brush. The purpose of the nozzle is to clean the outer garment of lint and dust with simultaneous steam treatment;
- Trouser clamps. Helps to shape the arrows. True, to rely on the same result as when using a classic iron is not worth it;
- Plank to work with complex elements of cut. A sort of plate that facilitates the smoothing of collars, pockets, cuffs, etc .;
- Protective mitten. Allows you to effectively cope even with complex tasks, without fear of the appearance of burns on his hands.
Top Steamer Manufacturers
In the domestic market otparivateley well-established famous company Philips. Its range is presented by very worthy models of all formats - both manual, and floor, and multifunctional. It is a pity that the price for them is often unnecessarily high.
Russian brand Kitfort (with production in China) presents to consumers quite technological, modern, at the same time affordable steamers. The very case when you can talk about a good value for money and functionality. With quality it seems not bad, but there are also complaints.
In the budget segment, you can find decent copies of the classic "Chinese" (I hope that no one believes in their "noble" origin) Polaris, UNIT, Mystery. If you choose cheaper, pay attention to the quality of materials and warranty period.
The most demanded products are those supplied to the market of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan by a domestic company. "Grand Master"which owns three popular brands:
- MIE. Models under this brand traditionally occupy high positions in the market of steamers and ironing equipment. They are positioned as made in Italy, but you will not find any marking confirming this fact on the device itself. And this, most likely, means that “Italians” produce it, preferring to eat with chopsticks. Nevertheless, the characteristics, functionality and efficiency at the height;
- GM (Grand Master). This brand produces powerful, multifunctional and modern appliances for domestic and professional use. The price, like on the MIE, is rather big, but the quality and possibilities are worth it;
- 3A Super Jet. Represents household models of economy class.
What is important to know before you buy
When purchasing a steamer, some users overestimate its capabilities or choose a model that is not very suitable for their characteristics. Unfortunately, sometimes manufacturers (and more often sellers) embellish the quality of their products (goods).
Consider typical errors and misconceptions:
- Steamer is able to completely replace the iron.. The most common myth.And although in such a statement there is a considerable amount of truth, it is not always worth counting on a miracle. In a delicate way, it is possible to smooth out the traditionally complex types of fabrics with which serious difficulties arise even with powerful irons with direct high-temperature heating and the same steam, but it is hardly rational from the point of view of time and effort;
- The device is able to remove stains.. It is senseless to steam soiled clothes; they need to be washed. On the upholstered furniture, the "eaten" pollution can be softened with steam, but it will finally be removed only with the use of detergents and mechanical impact.
- The presence of a system of protection against scale 100% solves the problem. Not always. In some regions, the water hardness is so high that no softening filters help. In this case, you have to use distillate.
What kind of steamer to choose in the end?
The answer to this question is quite predictable: the best will be the one that will best meet your needs, the most convenient and easy to use, with all the necessary characteristics to perform the required tasks. A bigger guarantee is desirable, the price is an individual question. It is useful to pay attention to the design of the device, because the aesthetic component has not been canceled.
We hope that the information obtained from our review will help you to approach the choice of a steamer for clothes with skill, and to get acquainted with the best models of steamers of different categories, you can use a separate rated.
