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Garment Steamer Links
Garment steamers are useful for freshening clothing between dry cleanings, for removing wrinkles without ironing and for freshening hard-to-clean items, such as mattresses. Handheld garment steamers are useful for traveling, but they don't hold as much water as floor models do, so they require frequent refilling to steam several garments at one time. Floor models can be bulky and they're not portable, but they're more convenient for owners who frequently steam many garments.
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, which Lauren Lipton of The Wall Street Journal says functions like a "vertical ironing board." 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.
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 buyer's guide that compares irons, garment steamers, garment steam presses and steam generator iron systems. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
IroningSucks.com features a number of informative articles comparing ironing to steaming, offering alternative uses for garment steamers, and even discussing whether you truly need a professional steamer.
MarthaStewart.com includes garment steamers in a slideshow of 25 essential homekeeping tools.
Fabric-Steamer.org has a discussion forum where readers can post and answer questions about using fabric steamers, including useful tips for difficult fabrics.
A syndicated article by Martha Stewart Omnimedia that appeared in The Virginian-Pilot newspaper offers tips on the perfect ironing job. It's available to subscribers at Highbeam.com.
TargetWoman.com features a helpful tutorial on garment steamers, including benefits, shortcomings, types, and tips for using garment steamers effectively.
Manufacturers' websites provide additional information and technical details:
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