Rowenta’s Beginner’s Guide: How to use a steamer

Step into the world of easy and efficient garment care with Rowenta's guide to using a steamer. Learn how to steam your clothes, the do's and don'ts, and tips for best results.

Steaming is a natural and efficient way to refresh, de-wrinkle, and clean your clothing and home textiles. It’s an incredibly useful tool for delicate fabric care and quick, last-minute touch-ups. In this Beginner’s Guide, we’ll show you how and why you should incorporate a steamer into your routine.

How do I get the best results from a steamer?

Start by filling the water tank with tap water and securely place it back. Plug in your steamer and turn it on, wait for the indicator light to signal it's ready.

To begin steaming, hang your garment on a sturdy hanger and place it on a door or other. Hold the bottom of the garment, gently stretching the fabric downwards to improve de-wrinkling. With your other hand, hold the steamer upright and keep it about 1-2 inches away from the fabric to avoid burns. Press the steam button and move the steamer slowly over the material, focusing on wrinkles. If your steamer has a steam-on-demand button, press it while simultaneously pressing the steam head against the fabric in a downward motion.

Using your steamer in a well-ventilated area helps disperse the steam effectively. Open windows or doors if possible. For a smooth experience, consider using a heat protection glove to avoid accidental burns.

Pro tip: Hang your garment on a shower rod or the back of a chair for easier steaming.

Check out the below video for a demonstration using Rowenta’s Pure POP Handheld Steamer.

Why Should You Use a Steamer?

Remove Wrinkles: A steamer effectively removes wrinkles from your fabrics, providing a casual, free-flowing finish. It offers a more relaxed look compared to the sometimes crisp appearance achieved with ironing.

Refresh Your Fabrics: Between washes or dry-cleaning, a steamer is perfect for refreshing fabrics, especially woven materials like wool and tweed. A steamer can also help eliminate odors from fabrics. Simply steaming your clothes can refresh them, reducing the need for frequent washing. This is especially useful for items like coats and jackets that aren't washed regularly.

Freshen Your Home Furnishings: Use a steamer to de-wrinkle and renew home furnishings. It’s ideal for long drapery, upholstery, mattresses, sheets, bedding, and even carpeting.

Reduce allergens: The heat from the steam can kill dust mites and other allergens that may be present on your fabrics. This makes it a great tool for people with allergies.

To keep in mind: When steaming, always refer to the care labels on your garments for specific advice. Some delicate fabrics may require special attention. Avoid steaming fabrics that are labeled as “dry clean only” unless you’ve tested a small corner first. For best results, use distilled water to prevent mineral buildup in the steamer.

When Should You Use a Steamer?

Choosing between ironing and steaming can be tricky. Generally, ironing is best for long de-wrinkling sessions or achieving an extra-crisp finish. Steaming is perfect for everyday de-wrinkling on all fabric types.

Use an Iron For:

• Heavyweight outerwear
• Pleated skirts or trousers
• Dress shirts
• Sheets and table linens
• Dinner napkins
• Quilting and sewing / craft projects

Use a Steamer For:

• Lightweight blouses
• Knits
• Dresses and skirts
• Linen
• Denim
• Travel (compact and lightweight for easy packing)

Comparing steaming to traditional ironing

When comparing steaming to traditional ironing, several key differences and advantages stand out. First, steamers are generally more versatile as they can be used on a variety of fabrics, including delicate materials like silk, lace, and wool, without the risk of burning. This makes them ideal for garments that require gentle care.

Ironing, on the other hand, is better suited for heavier fabrics such as cotton and linen. It excels at creating crisp creases and a polished finish, which is essential for dress shirts and formal wear.

For those with limited space, steamers are a convenient option since they do not require an ironing board. They are also easier to store and travel-friendly.

However, if precision and a sharp finish are priorities, traditional irons remain the preferred choice.

Preventing hot water spills while steaming

To prevent hot water spills while using a steamer, always ensure the water level in the tank is neither too high nor too low. Overfilling can cause water to spill from the nozzle, while underfilling can lead to air intake, resulting in water spurts.

Hold the steamer upright to allow proper steam flow and avoid tilting it too much. This helps prevent water from pooling in the hose or nozzle. If water accumulates in the hose, raise the nozzle to let it drain back.

Before starting, check the connections to ensure they are secure. Properly attach the hose and nozzle to avoid leaks. Frequent maintenance and careful handling will significantly reduce the risk of spills.

Video tutorial: How to use a steamer properly

Check out this video and learn more about Pure-Force 3-in-1 Iron and Steamer.

Bonus Tips:

• Attachments: Use steaming attachments for collars, cuffs, and other areas needing special attention.
• Horizontal Steaming: Try a multi-purpose steamer like Rowenta’s Pure-Force 3-in-1, which can be used both vertically and horizontally for stubborn creases.
• You can iron and steam and even more with the Reversible pad to provide an additional level of care for all of your fabric types

Can you put the steamer directly on clothes?

You can place the steamer directly on clothes, but it's best to keep a few inches between the steamer and the fabric. This helps prevent watermarks and scorching. For delicate items, such as silk or lace, avoid direct contact by steaming from the inside out.

Heavy-duty fabrics like wool can handle direct contact better. Always keep the steamer moving to avoid concentrating heat in one spot. For best results, use long, smooth strokes in a downward direction.

Here are some additional tips to ensure safety and effectiveness:

• Test on an inconspicuous spot first to ensure the fabric can handle the steam.
• Hold the fabric taut while steaming to help remove wrinkles more efficiently.
• Allow garments to dry completely before wearing them to prevent wrinkles from reappearing.

Following these guidelines will help you achieve the best results without damaging your clothes.

Ta-da! You are now a Steamer expert!

We hope you enjoyed Rowenta’s Beginner’s Guide to Steaming. Be sure to come back for more tips and tricks!