Description and selection of an inexpensive and good steamer
The appearance on the market of improved irons was supposed to facilitate the ironing process, but many housewives still did not like this occupation. Despite the fact that textile industries are trying to create non-creasing silk and linen, they are improving fabrics, they still have to iron the linen. This becomes a necessity when a small child appears in the house. In garment factories, in every fashion store, a garment steamer is indispensable.
What is a steamer
In fact, this device acts as an iron, but this is where the similarities end. The steamer smoothes hanging things: curtains, wardrobe items - with a steam jet, with a temperature of 100 degrees. Consists of a container into which water is poured, a hose and an iron.
Types and principles of operation of steamers
These devices are hand-held and floor-standing. Water boils in the boiler, then hot steam is transferred through a hose to a smoothing nozzle, which is directed to the fabric.
The set may include: hoses of different lengths, special hangers, replaceable irons for hard-to-reach places, clamps for forming folds, heat-resistant mitten, brushes, mini-board. The device can have one mode or be multifunctional and support several levels of intensity.
Hand-held devices resemble a kettle with a steam supply pipe; they are also called portable or travel devices. On business trips, they really help the owner to maintain the appearance, if necessary, prepare tea.
The vertical structure consists of a rack with a hanger, a boiler, which can have a wheelbase. Most often, they have a valve that only works when a given pressure is created. They are purchased by organizations for professional use.
Garment steamer: pros and cons
Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, a handheld garment steamer works for a short time: about 15 minutes, so it can be used to iron up to five items at a time. For models with hoses, the reservoir must not be turned over during operation, you can get burned. But they are easy to transport. The disadvantages of vertical ones include the high cost, relative to irons.
In general, the purchase of any device has a number of advantages:
- The effect on the fabric is more gentle and the clothes will last longer;
- Can be ironed on a hanger, no special flat surface required;
- It is impossible to spoil a thing;
- It is used for delicate fabrics for which the iron is contraindicated: velvet, velor, wool, you can work with felt and silk;
- Embroidery, rhinestones and other decor will not be affected;
- Straightens artificial fur, has a beneficial effect on woolen coats;
- You can treat dried stains, remove gum from children's clothes;
- Furniture treatment will replace wet cleaning; can be used as a steam cleaner, of course, the same effect will not be, but methods of application are found;
- When ironing, the curtains are cleaned of dust.
A garment steamer, like all steam generating appliances, is not suitable for every water. An incorrectly selected composition threatens the formation of scale, clogging, if you do not take care of the equipment, then it will completely fail. Which one is better to fill in:
- Distilled. Its boiling point is higher, the formation of steam is difficult due to neutrality. Therefore, it may cause overheating or other malfunctions. For normal use, dilute with plain water. A pure composition is used if recommended by the manufacturer.
- Bottled. Designed for table use, contains various mineral compounds that are beneficial to human health and harmful to technology.
- Filtered. The better the filtration, the better the equipment feels, including kettles and coffee machines.
- Demineralized. Cleared of lime and salts. Does not leave streaks on fabrics, does not create sediment;
- Boiled. In the composition, the concentration of mineral impurities is increased, respectively, the hardness;
- From the well. As a rule, filtration is needed for any use: from lime, bacteria, impurities;
- Thawed. May contain organic acids, heavy metals, and may adversely affect fabrics and equipment;
- Water for steam generators and irons. Chemically the best option, but usually it is expensive, it is difficult to buy in small settlements.
Which steamer is better to buy for your home
Each person has his own basic needs, the volume and composition of the wardrobe. Important points: power and steam generation. For home, 1300-1700 W is quite enough, the conversion rate of liquid to vapor is 55 ml per minute. But for some, less is enough not only for domestic use, but also for the presence in the office, car.
To understand how to choose a garment steamer, you need to study the rest of the characteristics.
- Tank volume. For compact medium size 0.5 l, for floor standing 1.5;
- Descaling. If this is not possible, then it is important to purchase only special water;
- Iron. Should be comfortable to hold in the hand, metal or ceramic is preferable from materials, since plastic does not last long. The more steam holes the better. If the sole does not heat up, the water cools down, returns to a liquid state and splashes out;
- Working modes for different fabrics allow for better performance and save electricity. Stop functions, heating time and continuous ironing will also be important during many years of operation;
- Nice little things when buying: brushes and gloves.
For home use, it is advisable to choose a steamer that has the necessary set of functions, but is not overloaded with modes that will not be used, as this increases the price.
Rating and prices of the best steamers
To most objectively assess what these devices are in practice, consider the ratings of buyers and their reviews.
The vertical garment steamer is rated the best 2019 by consumers.
- Kitfort KT - 907. Recommended price 4590.
Top sellers, vaporization 30 ml, capacity 2.5, works at 1600 watts. User rating 9.7 out of 10
Alexander: “We dropped it off, put it in the office. Does not interfere, but all stroked. They did not post any instructions, but everyone managed somehow, there were a lot of people, no complaints were received. Inexpensive"
- Philips GC514 / 40 YasyTouch Plus, 5190 - 7500 rubles.
1600 W, steam generation 32 ml, there is a descaling function, you can refuel without disconnecting from the mains thanks to the removable container. Adjustable for intensity and height, but owners found the telescopic stand not very reliable.
Natalia: “I got it about a month ago, I mostly steam children's blouses for school. Works quietly. Probably, you can iron it better with an iron, but we have beads on our collars. It's very hot without a mitten "
- Scarlett SC-GS130S05 / 06, from 4290 rubles.
Powerful, 1800, a lot of steam - 160 per minute, has 10 ways of working at once, ready to use in 45 seconds. You can pour water from the tap, blocking overheating. Cons: for refueling, you need to disconnect from the mains, short cord. The declared steam output does not correspond to reality.
Yulia: "A set of hangers, many modes, copes with arrows, moving on wheels is easy."
- Kitfort KT-926, 4190 - 4800 rubles.
1800 W, steam supply in 6 modes 5 -32 ml. Two-liter tank, reliable hose, iron is fixed on the rack. Preferred for lightweight materials.
Nadezhda: “With cotton T-shirts and shirts - for the top five. The hose is too short for curtains. Two attachments, a board, a coat hanger - enough for a wardrobe. "
- Euroflex Monster MB - 10035, 3122 - 6336 rubles.
Positioned as a thing for those who have achieved success, the manufacturer advises keeping it in hotel rooms. 1500 W, a good set of accessories, interesting design. Cons: instructions in the spirit of Alexpress, suspicious plastic, not very stable stand.
Oksana: “I fulfilled my tasks and served faithfully for 3 years. Ended up with the oxidation of the aluminum heater, without explosions, but just quietly stopped heating. I plugged the heater with a special sealant while it is working. We need to drain the water after use. "
As you can see, according to the rating of the best vertical steamers of 2019, each model may have some flaws that will not be noticeable to everyone.
Garment steamer ranking of the best 2019 by user ratings.
- MIE Piccolo. The recommended price is 3290 rubles.
The rating opens with a compact model that will not let you get burned. In fact, a small kettle with a volume of 0.5 liters and a capacity of 1200. There is a heat-resistant plate and various brushes. Water is consumed quickly, continuous work 15 minutes.
Olesya: “It is convenient to carry with you, there is even a special bag. The iron will not replace, but such a task was not set. "
- RUNZEL VAG -150 Jatten, 3990 rubles.
Development of the Swedes, capacity 1500, you can pour only 360 ml, with 40 evaporation, this will be enough for about 9 minutes. Can be steamed in any convenient position. Cons: you need purified water, the scale is removed only in the service.
Ivan: “A dense stream, it lies well in the hands. Sometimes it spits in drops and the thing needs to be slightly dried. Sometimes the feed goes down and you have to wait 10 seconds. "
- Polaris PGS 1518 CA, price from 2473 to 3990.
Power 1500, while the vaporization is small: only 26. Adapted to replace the container with a bottle, light indication, modes: eco and constant.
Svetlana: “I bought it very inexpensively. I forgot to turn it off once - nothing happened, went into sleep mode. I iron my clothes, I clean the tiles, I don’t aim at the sheets ”.
- BBK EGS 1202. Recommended cost 1290.
Very compact with a carrying case designed for lightweight fabrics. Overheating protection, easy to drain the remaining water. Cons: plastic nozzle, one mode, opaque reservoir.
Valentina: “A must-have for emergencies. Three minutes and blouse skirts are fine. "
- Zimbler ZM-10085. Price from 994 to 1489.
Minimal functionality, small size, but high-quality steaming of 2-3 items at a time.
Rimma: "The power is 700 W, so you shouldn't expect miracles, in general it irones satisfactorily, including places inaccessible to the iron."
In the ranking of the best steamers for clothes in 2019, price plays a significant role. As you can see from the reviews, not the most expensive and powerful unit is suitable for home use. Average enough characteristics to simplify modern life. When choosing, it is advisable to be guided by the principle of necessity. For curtains, 10 modes are not required, but if a child goes to school, and adults are forced to observe a strict dress code, then a steam garment steamer is indispensable.
A large family will need a universal model so that you can iron children's underwear, outfits, while removing stains from T-shirts and furniture. It is important to consider what kind of water is readily available. The proximity of pharmacies facilitates the purchase of distilled, and cleaning filters in the apartment will be one of the reasons when choosing a device.
VIDEO: How to choose a garment steamer.
