Garment Steamer Information

Garment steamers cannot really replace an iron. If you only need to steam clothing occasionally, some irons have a vertical-steaming feature that lets you use them like a handheld steamer. See the separate ConsumerSearch report on steam irons.

Caution is required when using a steamer, and many reviewers report scalding incidents. To minimize this risk, you might consider a unit with a small press-pad, one of which "served as a vertical ironing board" for Lauren Lipton at The Wall Street Journal. You can also purchase a steaming board to mount on a door or wall, such as the Jiffy Steamer 0892A Steamboard (*Est. $60) or create your own using layers of fabric and padding. In addition to the danger posed by the steam, the handles and hoses of home units can become very hot.

The website HomeFurnish.com examines how steamers work in the article "All About Garment Steamers."

About.com's guide to housewares and appliances provides an informative and thorough summary, "Before You Buy a Clothes Iron, Steamer or Press," comparing irons, garment steamers, garment steam presses and steam generator iron systems.

MarthaStewart.com includes garment steamers in a slideshow of 25 essential homekeeping tools.

Manufacturer websites provide additional information and technical details:

Jiffy Steamer

Rowenta

SteamFast

Tobi Garment Steamer

Conair