How to Extend the Life of Your Garment Steamer

Garment steamers are convenient and portable appliances that you can use to have wrinkle and crease-free clothes, curtains, and bed sheets. They can even be used for spot cleaning are rugs and carpets, especially if you just spilled colored beverages like red wine and juice that might stain your lovely and expensive carpet.

As similar to any other appliances or products sold in the market, they also have a certain lifespan, which can be extended with proper care and maintenance. Some manufacturers have already made sure that their handheld steamers are equipped with features or parts that can help limit the number of times that you need to maintain them.

However, since they are generally electrical units that use water, there are certain things that you need to do or keep in mind so that the garment steamer last long or even longer. Fortunately, we will guide you, so read on to get more info.

Ways to Extend the Life of a Garment Steamer

Extending the life of a handheld garment steamer or any appliance for that matter will depend on the things that you do before, during, and after using it.

• Before

As a general rule, before you even use your garment steamer, you must make sure that you have read and understood the instruction or user’s manual that came with it. There are instances wherein the manual is not really written comprehensively or properly, and for these cases, doing some research on the internet would be helpful.

What is better is that if the company has a customer service department try calling them and seek assistance. Do not try to “translate” the sentences in the manual that are unclear! Additionally, you must also familiarize yourself with the different parts of the unit as well as each of their specific uses. Lastly, always make sure that the water tank is filled with the right amount of water.

• During

Definitely, there are different designs of garment steamers on the market, but there are precautionary measures that are common for them. For one, most of these products are designed to be used in a vertical position. Meaning, when steaming clothes, you should not use it like an ordinary flat iron. Just keep in mind though that some steamers can be used horizontally, so you may do so IF the manufacturer says you can.

Never allow the water tank to be completely emptied while using it. Some models have light or alarm indicators, while others have see-through water tanks so that you can see the water level. In case you are using it and you need to refill, switch the appliance off and let it cool for a while before even refilling.

• After

As similar to an ordinary flat iron, always make sure that the steamer has cooled down before storing it. But, as an added measure, make sure that you empty out the water tank completely, and then allow it to air dry, before keeping it.

Final Words

There you have it! Some tips to ensure that your garment steamer stays functional and reliable for a long time. They may seem too basic but more often than not, we always forget the basics.