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 quicker 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 to meet 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 the 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 that you can easily treat different clothes and surfaces.

Steam production is the amount of steam that an iron or clothes steamer releases. The higher the steam production, the more powerful the device is . For example, a clothes steamer with a 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. To remove light wrinkles, we recommend continuous steam production of at least 25 grams per minute. This also works really well, especially for quickly de-creasing some items of clothing, and for traveling! For larger/professional clothes steamers for home use, a steam power of 35 g/min is the minimum and 50 g/min is the maximum, ideal steam power.

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 steamer must have a minimum wattage of 1000 Watt and 220-250V / 60 70Hz. For a larger/more professional clothes steamer, the minimum wattage is 1900 Watt and 220V/50HZ. 3 Bar steam power is powerful, but the very best upright clothes steamers on the market are 4+ bar. Higher than 5 bar is not possible, this is the most powerful steam option.

3. Water reservoir capacity and water use

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

4. Safety and ease of use:

Safety is a priority when choosing a clothes steamer. Choose a clothes steamer that is produced by a company that specializes in clothes steamers. These devices may be slightly more expensive, but are guaranteed to be of high quality and have the correct safety certificates and automatic temperature control. Safe for you and your favorite textile items. Ease of use is also important. Check whether the clothes steamer has a comfortable handle, a simple filling system and easy-to-operate buttons without too much fuss.

For the best steaming, always choose a clothes steamer with a wide and large steam head, and especially a wide stainless steel steam plate of more than 10 centimeters wide. Many more luxurious clothes steamers have a specially designed steam plate that provides extra lift to the fabric and makes the fibers swell more easily. This can significantly increase the convenience of steaming.

5. Quality and durability

Invest in a good quality clothes steamer that will last a long time. If you go for a lower quality, cheap plastic device, you will most likely burn your fingers. 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 features and accessories

Some clothes steamers offer a range of additional features and accessories that increase ease of use. Consider which of these features are important to you and look for a clothes steamer that meets them. Some common additional features are:

• Attachments: Check whether the clothes steamer comes with different attachments, such as a brush attachment, lint brush, steam hook, storage bag or, for example, a steam glove. These attachments can make it easier to treat specific garments or surfaces. Various steam tests and evaluations have shown that an attachment on a clothing steamer often does not actually add much and does not have much added value in the steaming process. The steam result almost always turned out to be better without brush attachments. But of course opinions may differ on this.

• Adjustable steam intensity: Some models (especially standing clothes steamers with rods) have an adjustable steam intensity, which allows you to adjust the power of the steam depending on the type of fabric or the persistence of the wrinkles. This is especially useful if you want to treat a wide range of garments.

• Portability and ease of storage: If you plan to take the clothes steamer with you when traveling, pay attention to the weight and dimensions of the device. A compact and lightweight model is more convenient for travelling. Also check that the clothes steamer is easy to store when not in use. Garment steamers are always allowed to travel and go through customs.

6. Cord length and plug

Of course, it depends on what the clothes steamer will often be used for. For home use, a cord of at least 1 meter long is fine and an extension cord can also be used. But on holiday 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 sufficient freedom of movement.

When traveling outside the EU, it is smart to take a removable plug with you, as many clothes steamers have a European plug.

7. Hand steamer or standing steamer with rod?

You cannot remove stubborn wrinkles with a handheld steamer because the steam production is too low. You can easily refresh fabrics such as linen and cotton. You can quickly deal with light wrinkles because the heating time is short. This way you can steam your shirt just before you leave the house. Hand-held steamers are easy to take with you when traveling because of their small size. You can also use them to freshen up cushions or the sofa.

To steam multiple items of clothing in a row, use a clothing steamer with a stand. These have a large water reservoir that you don't need to refill often. The steam production is also higher, which makes them more suitable for thick fabrics. Clothes steamers often 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 the maintenance and cleaning of the clothes steamer. Some models have a self-cleaning function, 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 heating time

Pay attention to the warm-up time of the clothes steamer. A quick warm-up time means you can get started faster and don't have to waste valuable time. With high-quality clothes steamers, the heating time is always less than 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. Balance your needs against your available budget to find a clothes steamer that meets your needs without putting too much strain on your wallet.