Using a clothes steamer is an efficient and convenient way to make your clothes wrinkle free. Whether you hate ironing or are just looking for a faster solution, a clothes steamer can be a valuable addition to your household. But with so many options on the market, how do you choose the perfect garment steamer to meet all your needs? In this blog post, we share some essential tips to help you make the right choice.

1. Steam production and steam power

When selecting a garment steamer, it is important to pay attention to the steam output and steam direction . A higher steam output makes the appliance more powerful, making it more suitable for thicker fabrics. Also make sure you choose a clothes steamer that can be used both horizontally and vertically (360 degree technique) so that you can easily treat different garments and surfaces.

The steam output is the amount of steam that an iron or garment steamer gives off. The higher the steam production, the more powerful the appliance is . For example, a clothes steamer with a high steam output is more suitable for thick fabrics. To remove light creases, we recommend a continuous steam production of at least 30 grams per minute. This also works really well, especially for quickly de-wrinkling a few items of clothing, and for traveling!

2. Wattage and Power

3. Water tank capacity and water usage

The size of the water tank is an important consideration. A compact (hand) garment steamer usually has a smaller water tank, while larger models offer more capacity. Think about how many garments you want to steam in a row before you need to refill the water tank. With a handheld steamer, 100 to 200ml is ideal for steaming 2 to 3 items of clothing. A water tank that is too large is not useful with a handheld steamer if you also want to take it with you on a trip. A 2 liter water tank is common on a large rod steamer, but here the bigger the water tank the better. In addition, it is useful to know whether you should use distilled water or whether tap water is also possible.

4. Security and Ease of Use:

Safety is a priority when choosing a garment steamer. Choose a clothes steamer produced by a company that specializes in clothes steamers. These devices may be slightly more expensive, but are guaranteed to be of high quality and equipped with the correct safety certificates and automatic temperature control. Safe for you and your favorite textile items. In addition, ease of use is important. Check that the garment steamer has a comfortable handle, a simple filling system and buttons that are easy to operate without too much fuss.

For the finest steaming, always choose a clothes steamer with a wide and large steam head, and especially a wide stainless steel steam plate that is more than 10 centimeters wide. Many more luxurious garment steamers have a specially designed steam plate that gives the fabric extra lift and allows those fibers to swell more easily. This can significantly increase the ease of steaming.

5. Quality and durability

Invest in a good quality garment steamer that will last. If you go for a lower quality, cheap plastic device, you will most likely burn your fingers. Check the materials from which the device is made and read reviews from other users to understand the durability and reliability of the product. A reliable warranty (minimum 1 year) can also be an indication of the quality of the clothes steamer.

6. Additional features and accessories

Some garment steamers offer a range of additional features and accessories that enhance ease of use. Consider which of these features are important to you and look for a garment steamer that meets them. Some common additional features include:

• Attachments: Check whether the clothes steamer comes with different attachments, such as a brush attachment, fluff brush, steam hook, storage bag or, for example, a steam glove. These attachments can make it easier to treat specific garments or surfaces. Various steam tests and evaluations have shown that an attachment on a garment steamer often does not actually add much and does not have much added value in the steaming process. The steam result turned out to be almost always better without brush attachments. But of course, opinions may differ on this.

• Adjustable steam intensity: Some models (especially upright clothes steamers with a rod) have an adjustable steam intensity, which allows you to adjust the power of the steam to the type of fabric or the stubbornness of the creases. This is especially useful if you want to treat a wide variety of garments.

• Portability and ease of storage: If you plan to take the clothes steamer with you on trips, pay attention to the weight and dimensions of the device. A compact and lightweight model is more convenient on the go. Also check whether the clothes steamer is easy to store when not in use. Garment steamers are always allowed on a (flight) trip and are allowed to go through customs.

6. Cord length and plug

Of course it depends on what the clothes steamer will mostly be used for. For home use, a cord of at least 1 meter long is fine and an extension cord can also be used. But on vacation it can be nice to have a clothes steamer with a longer cord. Our testing has shown that a cord of 2 meters or longer is ideal and offers plenty of room to move.

When traveling outside the EU, it is smart to take a deformed plug with you, since many clothes steamers have a European plug.

7. Hand steamer or upright steamer with rod?

You cannot remove stubborn creases with a handheld steamer, because the steam production is too low. You can easily refresh fabrics such as linen and cotton. You can quickly deal with light creases because the warm-up time is short. This way you can steam your shirt just before you leave the house. Hand steamers are easy to take with you on a trip due to their small size. You can also use them to freshen up cushions or the couch.

Use a clothes steamer with a stand to steam several items of clothing in succession. These have a large water tank that you don't refill often. The steam production is also higher, which makes them more suitable for thick fabrics. Garment steamers with standard often have specific steam applications for silk and wool, for example. This also makes them very suitable for professional use.

8. Maintenance and cleaning

Pay attention to the maintenance and cleaning of the clothes steamer. Some models have a self-cleaning function, while others require regular descaling or cleaning. Make sure you are prepared to perform the necessary maintenance to maintain the life and performance of your garment steamer.

9. Fast heat-up time

Pay attention to the heating time of the clothes steamer. A fast warm-up time means you can get started faster and don't have to waste valuable time. With high-quality garment steamers, the heating time is always under 50 seconds. 20 seconds is the fastest possible warm-up time available.

10. Price and budget

Determine your budget before you start looking for a clothes steamer. Prices vary depending on the brand, features and quality of the device. Weigh your needs against the available budget to find a garment steamer that meets your needs without straining your wallet.