How Do You Use a Garment Steamer? The Right Way to Steam Clothes

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Plus, tips for caring for & cleaning your steamer

Co-authored by Robert Shapiro and Devin McSween

Last Updated: October 21, 2024 Fact Checked

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Steaming Your Clothes

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What fabrics can you steam?

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Care & Cleaning

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Choosing a Steamer

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Steamer vs Iron

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Video

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Q&A

A garment steamer is a quick, gentle way to remove wrinkles from all kinds of clothes. Steamers work by heating water until it becomes steam. The steam is then applied to the garment through a nozzle, relaxing the fabric's fibers and eliminating wrinkles. In this article, we’ll explain how to use and care for a clothes steamer. We also spoke with cleaning professional Susan Stocker to learn which type of steamer is best for you and when you might want to use a steamer as opposed to an iron. Read on to find out more!

How to Steam Clothes

Fill your steamer’s tank with cold water and make sure all parts are secure.
Plug in the steamer and allow it to heat until steam begins to form.
Put your garment on a clothes hanger and hang it where you can easily reach.
Gently run the steamer down the garment in long, even strokes.
Let the garment dry for 5-10 minutes before wearing or putting away.

Section 1 of 5:

Steaming Your Clothes

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1
Fill the steamer with water, turn it on, and wait for it to heat up. Pour cold water into the water tank of your clothing steamer. Then, make sure all of the parts of the steamer are secured properly so water doesn’t leak all over the place. Simply plug the steamer in to let the water heat and start to steam.^{[1]
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- Steamers usually heat up fairly quickly (2-3 minutes). Allow your steamer to heat up all the way until steam begins to form; this helps prevent sputters and spills.
- Check that the machine is producing a steady stream of steam before you use it. Simply pull the trigger on the handle or press the button to see how much steam comes out. If there is no sputtering, the steamer is ready.^{[2]
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It's easiest to steam a garment when it is hanging. Upright steamers typically have a hanging pole attached. If you're using a handheld steamer, place your garment on a hanger and hang it on a shower curtain rod, the back of a chair, a door knob, or anything of that nature.^{[3]
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Run the steamer in downward strokes along the fabric. Pull the bottom of the garment down to keep the fabric taut. Then, hold the steamer against the fabric and slide it down your garment while pressing the steam button. You don't need to press hard or push the fabric against anything, as the steam gently removes the wrinkles on its own.^{[4]
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- Steam delicate fabrics inside out and 1 to 2 inches (2.5-5 cm) away from the steamer. This helps protect fabrics like silk, chiffon, and velvet from potential heat and water damage.
- If you’re dealing with extremely wrinkled clothing, turn the garment inside out and steam the inside of the fabric. The weight of the fabric against the steam helps get the wrinkles out more quickly.
- When steaming fabrics with embellishments such as pleats and ruffles, hold the steamer 1 to 2 (2.5-5 cm) inches away from the fabric. This allows the fabric to keep its shape while the steam de-wrinkles it. If the garment is extremely wrinkled, also turn it inside out to steam the fabric without damaging the embellishments.
- Optional tip: Use a handheld pad as a surface to steam your clothes on. It may be helpful when you are steaming extremely dense or wrinkly fabrics. If you decide to use a pad, slip it over one hand and use your other hand to hold the steamer.
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Let your garment dry for 5 to 10 minutes. After a fresh steaming, your garment will feel damp. There may also be some small water spots. Do not be alarmed, as this is completely normal and your garment will dry. Simply let the garment sit for 5-10 minutes after steaming it before you put it on or hang it in your closet.^{[5]
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- To speed up the drying process, turn on an overhead fan or set a standing fan in front of your garment.

Section 2 of 5:

What fabrics can you steam?

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Most fabrics like cotton, linen, wool, and silk are safe to steam. Steamers work wonderfully for most fabrics, as steaming is a delicate method of de-wrinkling garments. Fabrics that are generally safe to steam include most cottons, silks, wools, linens, and polyesters. However, some fabrics should not be steamed, such as leather, suede, waxed jackets, and materials that may melt, like plastic.^{[6]
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- Note: Always check the garment’s care label to see if it is safe to steam.
- If you’re unsure if your fabric can be steamed, carefully test the steamer on a small corner of the fabric before using it on the entire garment.
- Tip: Use any nozzle or brush attachments that come with your steamer. These are often made for specific fabrics to help prevent damage.
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Steam delicate fabrics like silk from 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) away. Treat silk, chiffon, velvet, and other sheer fabrics with care. Turn the garment inside out, hold the steamer 1 to 2 inches (2.5-5 cm) away from the fabric, and don't steam in one place for too long. To avoid damaging embellishments or prints, steam the garment inside out to get rid of the wrinkles.^{[7]
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- Turning delicate garments inside out and holding the steamer farther away helps protect it from heat damage. It also helps prevent water spills and sputters, which can potentially stain more delicate items.

Section 3 of 5:

Steamer Care and Cleaning

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Use distilled water in the steamer. While it’s okay to use regular tap water in your clothes steamer, many manufacturers recommend that you use distilled water. Tap water contains minerals that can build up inside your machine and clog the nozzle. Distilled water is purified, so there are no minerals to cause buildup.^{[8]
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- Soft tap water is preferred to hard tap water, which has a higher concentration of minerals. If you have hard water, consider using a water softener to remove the excess minerals.
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Empty the water after each use and store the steamer in a cool, dry spot. When you’re done steaming your clothes, turn off the steamer and let it cool down completely. Then, empty the water tank and let it air dry. Simply store the steamer in an area that stays cool and dry, like a cupboard or your laundry room.^{[9]
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- Leaving water in the tank can lead to mineral buildup and bacteria growth. It can also potentially leak and cause water damage.
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Clean the steamer with white vinegar every 2 to 3 months. Whether you use tap water or distilled water in your machine, it needs a good cleaning every once in a while. Simply fill the water tank with white vinegar, heat up the steamer, and release the steam inside your sink. Then, fill the tank with distilled water and disperse the steam to rinse out the vinegar.^{[10]
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- White vinegar is acidic, which helps it dissolve limescale and other mineral buildup inside your machine.^{[11]
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- For an extra cleaning boost, let the white vinegar sit in the water tank for 30 to 60 minutes to loosen tough mineral deposits and grime.

Section 4 of 5:

Choosing a Steamer

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Are you looking for a steamer that will stay in your laundry room, or are you looking for a steamer to carry around with you? Some steamers are easier to transport than others, and some take up more space than others. Some steamers are handheld, others stand upright.
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Use an upright steamer. Upright steamers are sometimes referred to as floor steamers, as their base sits on the floor. These steamers typically include a base where the water tank sits, a hose attached to a nozzle, and a pole with a clothing hanger at the top. These steamers usually sit on wheels so that they can be moved more easily.^{[13]
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- If you plan on keeping your steamer in one location, upright steamers are the ideal choice. They are larger than handheld steamers, but are very convenient because of their features (the clothing hanger, nozzle, etc.). However, they can be transported if you don't mind moving something that's a bit larger.
- These steamers are also ideal if you are steaming numerous pieces of clothing. Their water base is large and usually doesn't need to be refilled often.
- Most upright steamers come with attachments, such as different types of brushes for different kinds of fabrics.
- Upright steamers are typically the most expensive of all steamers, ranging from $50-$200.
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Use a handheld steamer if you want something more portable. Stocker says these steamers are much smaller than upright steamers, and can be easily packed in luggage or kept in the car.^{[14]
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Expert Source

Susan Stocker
Green Cleaning Expert

Expert Interview. 20 April 2020.} If you tend to need a steamer while traveling, a handheld steamer is the ideal choice.^{[15]
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- Handheld steamers combine the water tank and nozzle into one device. They typically weigh a couple of pounds.
- Some handheld steamers come with attachments, like different nozzles and lint rollers.
- Some steamers come with a small padded square with a strap that slips over your hand (similar to a large oven mitt). This pad can be helpful when you're steaming your clothing, as it can prevent you from burning your hands.
- Handheld steamers typically range in price from $30-$100.^{[16]
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Section 5 of 5:

When to Use a Steamer vs an Iron

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Use a steamer instead of an iron to de-wrinkle a larger variety of clothing. Irons and steamers are both meant to take the wrinkles out of clothing, though they each have their own perks. Irons are typically best on less delicate fabrics (like cotton or denim). Stocker says they are also ideal for pressing creases and pleats into clothing. Steamers work on a larger variety of fabrics as they are gentler and less likely to damage fabrics. Steamers are typically used on fabric while it is hanging, so they don't work well if you want to press or crease your clothing.^{[17]
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Susan Stocker
Green Cleaning Expert

Expert Interview. 20 April 2020.}
- In general, Stocker says “steaming is quick, easy, and doesn’t require much skill,” so it’s a great alternative to ironing.^{[18]
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  Susan Stocker
  Green Cleaning Expert
  
  Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.}
- Steamers are easier to store and more portable than irons, so they are ideal for those who don’t have a lot of space and who travel a lot.
- Tip: Use the crease attachment that comes with your steamer sharp lines and pleats on your garment.

Community Q&A

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Question

Is it better to steam a garment as soon as you remove it from the washer or after it is dry?

Community Answer

The wet clothes should be allowed to dry first as you do when you are going to iron them. You will have to dry the garment first, before steaming it.

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Is the steamer supposed to be used on the garment or just close to it?

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It depends on the garment that is being steamed. If the garment is delicate, keep your steamer at a distance so that the garment is not ruined. If the garment is heavy or has a lot or wrinkles, place the steamer closer to it or on it.

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How do I hang woman's pants while steaming them?

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You can get hangers with 2 clips to hang up men's or women's trousers. There is no difference between them as far as the steamer or iron in concerned.

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Tips

Stocker says that steamers work great on all types of garments, including blouses, shirts, pants, dresses, and jackets.^{[19]
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Susan Stocker
Green Cleaning Expert

Expert Interview. 20 April 2020.}

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Steamers also help sanitize and deodorize your clothes. The steam is hot enough to kill germs and odor-causing bacteria.^{[20]
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Do not overfill or underfill your steamer’s water tank. Filling the tank past the max fill line can lead to water spills, while running the steamer with little to no water in the tank can damage the machine.

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Warnings

Keep your hands out of the stream of steam. Steam is extremely hot and can burn your skin. If you are new to steaming, wear a steaming glove while de-wrinkling your garment.

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