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 clothes steamer that meets 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 clothes steamer, it is important to pay attention to steam production and steam direction. Higher steam production makes the device 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 you can easily treat different garments and surfaces.

Steam production is the amount of steam an iron or clothes steamer emits. The higher the steam production, the more powerful the device is. For example, a clothes steamer with high steam production is more suitable for thick fabrics, and the steam is extra powerful and strong. This results in easier removal of wrinkles from textiles. For removing light wrinkles, we recommend a continuous steam production of at least 25 grams per minute. This also works quite well, especially for quick de-wrinkling of single garments, and for traveling! For larger/professional home clothes steamers, a steam force of 35 g/min is the minimum and 50 g/min is the maximum, ideal steam force.

2. Power and strength

Not all clothes steamers are equally powerful and strong, so pay attention to this when you want to purchase a clothes steamer. A handheld clothes steamer should have a minimum wattage of 1000 watts and 220-250V / 60 70Hz. For a larger/professional clothes steamer, the minimum wattage is 1900 watts and 220V/50HZ. 3 Bar of steam power is powerful, but the very best upright clothes steamers on the market are 4+ bars. Higher than 5 bar is not possible, which is the most powerful steam option. 

3. Water tank capacity and water use

The size of the water tank is an important consideration. A compact (handheld) garment steamer usually has a smaller water tank, while larger models offer more capacity. Consider how many garments you want to steam in succession before you need to refill the water tank. For a handheld steamer, 100 to 200ml is ideal for steaming 2-3 garments. An overly large water reservoir is not useful with a handheld steamer if you also want to take it with you when traveling. With a large steamer with rod, a water reservoir of 2 liters is common, but here the larger the water reservoir, the better. In addition, it is useful to know whether you need to use distilled water or whether tap water is also possible.

4. Security and ease of use:

Safety is a priority when choosing a clothes steamer. Choose a clothes steamer manufactured by a company that specializes in clothes steamers. These devices may be a little pricier, but are guaranteed to be of high quality and come with proper safety certifications and automatic temperature control. Safe for you, and for your favorite textile items. In addition, ease of use is important. Check that the clothes steamer has a comfortable handle, a simple filling system and easy-to-use buttons 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 more than 10 inches wide. Many more luxurious garment steamers have a specially designed steam plate that gives the fabric extra elevator and allows fibers to swell more easily. This can greatly increase the ease of steaming.

5. Quality and sustainability

Invest in a good quality clothes steamer that will last a long time. If you go for a lower quality, cheap plastic device then you are most likely going to burn your fingers on this. 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 (at least 1 year) can also be an indication of the quality of the clothes steamer.

6. Additional functions and accessories

Some garment steamers offer an array of additional features and accessories that increase convenience. Consider which of these features are important to you and look for a clothes steamer that meets them. Some common extra features include:

• Attachments: See if the garment steamer comes with different attachments, such as an attachment brush, lint brush, steam hook, storage bag or a steam glove, for example. These attachments can make it easier to treat specific garments or surfaces. Several steam tests and evaluations have shown that an attachment on a garment steamer often does not actually add much and do not add much value in the steaming process. Steam results were almost always found to be better without attachments. But opinions may differ on this, of course.

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

• Portability and storage convenience: If you plan to take the clothes steamer with you while traveling, pay attention to the weight and size of the device. A compact and lightweight model is more convenient for traveling. Also check whether the clothes steamer is easy to store when not in use. Clothes steamers can always go with you on (airline) trips and can just pass 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 at least 1 meter long is fine and an extension cord can also be used. But on vacation, it can still be nice to have a clothes steamer with a longer cord. Our tests have shown that a cord of 2 meters or longer is ideal and provides enough room to move around. 

On trips outside the EU, it is smart to bring a distortion plug, as many clothes steamers have a European plug. 

7. Handheld steamer or upright steamer with rod?

You won't remove stubborn wrinkles with a handheld steamer because the steam production is too low. However, you do easily refresh fabrics such as linen and cotton. You get rid of light wrinkles quickly because the heating time is short. So you can steam your shirt just before you leave the house. Hand dryers are easy to take with you on trips because of their small size. You can also use them to freshen up cushions or the sofa.

For steaming multiple garments in a row, use a garment steamer with stand. These have a large water reservoir that you don't refill often. Also, the steam production is higher, which makes them more suitable for thick fabrics. Often, garment steamers with standard 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 garment steamer maintenance and cleaning. Some models have self-cleaning features, 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 clothes steamer.

9. Fast warm-up time

Pay attention to the heat-up time of the clothes steamer. A fast heat-up time means you can get started faster and not waste precious time. With quality garment steamers, the warm-up time is always under 50 seconds. 20 seconds is the fastest possible warm-up time available.

10. Price and budget

Determine your budget before looking for a clothes steamer. Prices vary depending on the brand, features and quality of the device. Make a trade-off between your needs and available budget to find a clothes steamer that meets your needs without overburdening your wallet.