If you’re wondering “What is a steamer?” or you’re questioning how to use a steamer, keep reading. This guide will answer those questions – and more – so that you’ll be an expert on what steamers are, how they work, and bonus features they come with.

What Is a Steamer?
Steamer Features

What Is a Steamer?

What is a clothes steamer you ask? Simply put, it is a device that uses hot steam to take the wrinkles out of clothing. There are two main components to a steamer: a container and a warmer. The container stores water and the warmer boils the water so that it comes out as hot steam. How to use a steamer is simple. First, hang your clothes on hangers spread out from each other. Then turn the steamer on, and once it is hot, aim the steam at the part of your clothing that is wrinkled. Steaming garments is a great way to get wrinkles out and comes in handy if you don’t own or have the space for an ironing board.

Steamer Features

Handheld: Handheld steamers are smaller than other steamers. These steamers are a great option if you live in a small space and don’t have room to store a bigger standing steamer or an ironing board.

Burst-of-Steam: These types of steamers offer a faster and more condensed burst of steam to tackle extremely wrinkled areas in clothing that naturally fold, such as shirt sleeves and the back of the knees on pants.

Vertical Steam: Steamers with vertical steam are great for steaming things in an up and downward motion. Opt for a steamer with this feature if you prefer hanging your clothes while you steam or if you don’t have an ironing board.

Adjustable Steam Temperature: Adjustable steam temperature is a great feature if you have clothing made from different materials. Different materials require different amounts of heat to get wrinkles out. This feature will allow you to customize your steam’s temperature to the article of clothing that needs to be unwrinkled.

Automatic Shutoff: Automatic shutoff is a feature that turns the steamer off after a while of it not being used. This feature comes in handy if you want peace of mind that you turned your steamer off after using it, or if you tend to be forgetful.

Travel: Looking for a steamer you can take on the go? Travel steamers are more compact than traditional steamers, which makes them easier to travel with. Traveling with wrinkled clothing can be a thing of the past.

Tip!

Unsure whether to buy an iron vs. steamer? Check out our guide to help you decide.
Now that you understand how to use a steamer and what a steamer is, you can feel confident in choosing the correct one for you.