Steamers for home use - which is better?

One of the most unloved home affairs for the housewife is ironing. This problem is especially acute when it is necessary to smooth curtains and curtains after washing or things from delicate fabrics, with small details - rhinestones, buttons, embroidery, etc. Have you ever had to smooth out the wedding dress? It turns out that there is an adaptation that easily copes with this problem - it's a steamer. Along with professional models, steamers for domestic use have found their application. Which is better and how convenient are such devices in everyday life - we will consider in this article.

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What is a steamer and can it replace an iron?

The clothes steamer is a device that appeared on the market relatively recently, but has already become quite popular. The device is actively used in everyday life, at the atelier, in clothing stores to bring things in order.

The main function is to smoothen clothes with steam. This procedure is environmentally friendly, as it excludes the use of household chemicals. In addition to the fact that the steamer perfectly copes with hard-to-reach clothing elements, it does not spoil delicate fabrics. It can also be used for disinfection of toys and cloth, removal of old contaminants, elimination of unpleasant odors, destruction of dust mites.

Important! It should be noted that today household steamer can not completely replace the iron, despite the statements of the manufacturers. In cases where it is necessary to iron the hands of trousers, smooth out products made of linen, cotton or bed linen, it is better to use an iron.

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Advantages and advantages of the steamer, in comparison with the iron

The main advantages of the steamer include the following characteristics:

• The ironing time for the steamer is much less.
• The vapor is safe for delicate fabrics.
• Ability to smooth things with flounces, frills, lace.
• Disinfection of blankets, pillows, furniture and children's toys.
• Elimination of unpleasant odors and long-lasting stains.
• There are no bright spots and creases on clothes, as happens when ironing with iron.
• Ability to smooth things down on weight - for example, ironing curtains.

Important! The disadvantages of the steamer for the house include:

• High cost. Budget models are less qualitative and unreliable - they should be handled very carefully.
• Low intensity level. Even the most powerful device will not replace the iron when ironing the cuffs and collars of the shirt, when applying the arrows on the trousers, and in the case of heavily crumpled things.

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The device and operation principle of the

steamer The main components of the household steamer are:

• The steam generator is a device in which steam is produced. It consists of a steam boiler( boiler), a heating pump, a pump for pumping water into the tank and control buttons on the housing.
• Steam boiler( boiler).It is inside the plastic case, in it water turns into steam.
• Steam hose. There are different lengths, up to 2.7 m. Through it steam from the steam boiler enters the steam iron.
• Steam iron. It can be metal and plastic, without a built-in heating element and with it.

Important! Passing through the hose, the steam appreciably cools, so it is recommended to buy a household steamer with a built-in heating element and ironing iron. Also, a metal iron can be used as a regular iron.

All steamers, regardless of type, operate in accordance with this principle:

• When heated in a boiler, the water turns into steam.
• The steam is fed through the hose to the steam iron.
• Steam is sent to clothes through the iron under pressure.
• Steam smoothes creases, gently stretches the fibers of the fabric.

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What are the types of steamers?

Before you decide on a particular model, you need to know which types of steamer exist. Depending on their size, they are divided into:

• hand steamer;
• outdoor unit.

Handheld steamer

If you do not plan to use the steamer for home very often, then the handheld( portable) steamer is quite suitable. He will cope with such tasks as the removal of wrinkles, stains and unpleasant odors on things made of synthetic fibers, wool, silk, corduroy, etc. It will be indispensable in everyday life and at work to quickly bring clothes into a neat appearance.

Special features:

• When using a hand steamer, it is not necessary to use the ironing board, and also to remove things from the hanger.
• Wet steam that leaves the working surface of the device, gives the fabric volume without compressing or stretching the material.
• Portable steamer features a small water tank - depending on the steam consumption, water must be added.
• Continuous operation time up to half an hour.
• In a hand steamer you can boil water for tea making, as the models are equipped with closed electric heaters, like an electric kettle.

Disadvantages of hand steamer:

• small power;
• low performance.

These characteristics increase the processing time of clothing.

Important! Manual steamers are designed for vertical operation, you can get a burn by turning the device horizontally.

Road separator

The road steamer is a handheld type of steamers. It has compact dimensions, weight is much less than a road iron, and this allows you to place the steamer in any suitcase for travel.

Road steamers, basically, are equipped with such nozzles:

• universal cleaning nozzle;
• attachment for the shooter of trousers;
• brush for cleaning from dandruff and lint.

Floor standing steamer

Floor standing( stationary or vertical) steamer is a powerful appliance for home use. Dimensions can be compared with a vacuum cleaner. In the case of such a device, a water tank and a heater for water heating are built in. The device is equipped with a hose with a steam iron and a special hanger on which to put on clothes for vertical stripping.

The advantages of the floor steamer include:

• longer operating time, when compared with manual models;
• high power;
• vertical steaming on a special hanger.

Disadvantages:

• dimensions;
• steaming the cuffs and collar with a special heat-resistant plaque.

In turn, floor steamers for the house are divided into the following groups:

1. Gravity. In them, the steam heated in the TEN enters the ironing by gravity. The intensity of the steam supply depends on the volume of the steam boiler and the power.

Important! Advantages of this model are low price and simplicity of design. The drawback is in comparison with the pump blower, the intensity of the steam output is weaker.

1. Pumps. In such units, water is supplied in small portions to the heating element. With the help of a special valve, steam is retained in the steam boiler until a certain pressure is created. At the optimum pressure( up to 3 bar), the valve opens and the steam splashes through the ironing holes. A powerful vapor stream allows penetration into the fibers of the tissue deeper, so that it is possible to steam off coarser fabrics.

Important! Advantages of the pump steamer - the intensity of steam output, the pressure of steam and the ability to steam things out of dense tissue.

Disadvantages - the cost is higher than gravity;the mode of supply of steam under pressure is not constant.

Important details:

• The steam under pressure exits within a few minutes, after which the device switches to gravity flow. It is necessary to wait a while to re-create the steam pressure.
• The steam generator or steam cleaner is supplied with steaming steamers with a constant supply of steam under pressure.

Multi-purpose universal steamer

Useful in the household will be devices that, using a single steam generator, can perform the functions of several devices. Most often there are such combinations:

• Steamer-steam cleaner. Thanks to the complete steamer nozzles for the steam cleaner, the device combines the functions of both devices.
• Steam cleaner-steamer. The main function of this device is the steam cleaner.
• Steam-steam iron. In addition to ironing the steamer, the device is equipped with a steam iron.
• Ironing system with steamer function. The ironing system is also equipped with a steam hose with iron for steaming.
• Steamer with ironing board. It's an innovation. The device combines the functions of an ironing board, iron and steamer. It can be used both independently for steaming curtains and furniture, and in the form of a mini ironing system.

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How to choose a steamer?

How to choose a steamer for clothes from a variety of models on the market? First of all, you need to determine the goals that your household steamer will perform, as well as familiarize yourself with the basic characteristics that should be considered when choosing this device:

1. Brand. A self-respecting manufacturer will conscientiously fulfill the terms of service.
2. Design. This criterion is not the most important when choosing a steamer for home use, although for many buyers the appearance - color, shape and other design elements - is crucial.
3. Price. This characteristic directly depends on the power of the device - the more powerful, the higher the cost. Also affects the functionality and the long-term continuity of the device.
4. Dimensions. This is an important criterion when choosing a steamer for home use. Which is better to choose - directly depends on the ability to keep it assembled, in order to quickly strip off clothing if necessary. If the hand steamer can be stored on a shelf, then a dedicated place will be required for the vertical steamer.
5. Device. The device with a large water tank will allow the steamer to work without adding water, but at the same time, this affects the dimensions and mass of the unit.
6. Material of the steam engine. The body is made of plastic or metal. High thermal conductivity of metal irons has an excellent sub-smoothing ability.
7. Steam output intensity. According to the owners of household steamers, the amount of steam 55 g per minute is quite sufficient.
8. Power. For use at home, steamers up to 1800 watts are suitable. More powerful devices are designed for professional use, they can be used in a clothing store or atelier.
9. Functionality. A multifunctional and powerful device is necessary in those cases, if its wide application is required. Simplicity of use will allow to cope with this device to any person.
10. Power supply. There are models of steamers that operate on batteries or on the network.
11. Modes of operation. Depending on the fabric being treated, it is possible to vary the power of the steamer.
12. Water quality. It should be noted that more expensive models can work with ordinary tap water due to the fact that they are equipped with high-quality filters. For cheap models, distilled water should be used.
13. Accessories. Instruments can have special nozzles for adjusting the strength of the steam and directing the jet.

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Review of the best models and firms

Almost all manufacturers of household appliances produce steamers for the home. Consider some of the best models on the market.

Philips GC670 / 05

In the price-quality ratio, this is perhaps the best steamer for clothes.

Key Features:

• power 1800 watts;
• the intensity of the steam output is 40 g / min.;
• 5 steam supply modes;
• automatically retractable cord;
• tank capacity of 2.1 liters.

Pack including:

• brush;
• nozzle for collar and creation of arrows;
• mitten;
• pile cushion;
• special department, in which you can store all the components.

Karcher SI 4 Iron Kit:

• This steam system will allow you to look after not only curtains, tablecloths, bedding, clothes, etc., but also to clean the house.
• Continuous non-stop operation is due to the presence of two tanks.
• The vapor pressure is 3.5 bar.

Important! There are functions that make it possible to especially delicately and delicately delaminate delicate fabrics, as well as the function of steam removal, which ensures the penetration of steam into the tissue, while removing excess moisture.

Rowenta IS 6300:

• This is a vertical steamer with a capacity of 1550 watts.
• The output of steam is 30 g / min.
• Preparation time 60 s.
• The 2.4-liter tank allows the device to work for a long time.

Important! The device is equipped with a special brush Roll &Press, thanks to which you can smooth any creases without creases, while not holding the clothes.

Maxwell MW-3704 VT

This is a handheld steamer with a power of 1000 watts. A small reservoir of 0.2 liters allows you to quickly put in order the clothes that you got from the closet, or on a journey from the suitcase before you leave.

Philips GC320 / 25

This handheld steamer has a power of 1200 watts. For steaming products from delicate and delicate fabrics can become a worthy alternative to ironing. The model is completed with a brush for dense fabrics, which will help to cope with not deep creases. The device is ready for operation after 60 seconds.

Mie Deluxe

This is a reliable and powerful steamer with a stylish design.

Key features:

• is a double telescopic stand that prevents things from stretching and deformation when ironing, which is especially true for knitwear and wool products;
• water tank of 2.5 liters;
• is a special built-in filter that softens water;
• metal iron with additional heating;
• presence of an information board with indication of the mode and operating time, as well as the water level in the tank;
• power 2600 W;
• the intensity of the steam supply is 84 g / min.;
• special compartments for storing attachments and small items.

Kitfort KT-910

The parameters of this steamer are close to professional standards. A large power of 2200 watts is due to the fact that steam is first generated in a boiler( 1750 W), and then heated in ironing( 450 W).As a result, steam comes out with a temperature of 130 degrees.

Other characteristics:

• The intensity of the steam supply is 35 g / min.
• The volume of the water tank is 1.8 liters.

Important! When the inactive or low level of water in the tank, the steamer turns off automatically.

Grand Master GM-Q7 multi

With this household steamer you can both iron things and clean the house with the steam mop that the device is equipped with. Using a special hose, a steam iron is connected to the device, and in addition to vertical ironing, things can be ironed in a horizontal position.

Important! The unit is equipped not only with clamps for arrows, telescopic bar, but also a device for steaming pockets, collars, cuffs. The heating element is integrated in the steam iron, and the iron is made of stainless steel.

After reading this article, you've got enough information to choose a steamer for your home. The best steamer for clothes should fulfill the goals set for it. Having become acquainted with the assortment of the market, you will find a worthy assistant in such a troublesome business as ironing clothes.