Steam Clean at Home

Dove, one of our readers, sent us this question:

“Do you know how to steam-clean at home? With one of those little hanging steam nozzles? I’d be interested in your tips. Also, have you ever tried dyeing? Any tips on in-washer usage that won’t stain the washer, or stovetop usage that won’t stain your entire life? Love TSC!” (And TSC loves Dove!)

Today I’ll talk about steam cleaning, because I did invest in a good steamer. Mine is made by The Sharper Image, which I bought at Costco on sale for about $60, and they can be found anywhere from Amazon to Target. Consumer Research lists their favorites here.

I do love my steamer, and it’s saved me a lot of money on dry cleaning. If I have set in stains, I’ll still take stuff to the pros, but I’ve found that my trusty steamer totally delivers. I haven’t used my iron in months now, and Ray, my dry cleaner, can’t remember my name like he used to. It paid for itself in about two months. (This is an especially handy device for guys, as it’s simple and offers instant, noticeable results.)

I use it for getting wrinkles out of my clothing and draperies, but I also use it in place of dry cleaning for delicate fabrics whose only crime is that they’ve been worn. The steam gets rid of odors, wrinkles and hangar dents, and it works wonders on sweaters and hand-laundered items like silks and rayons that generally don’t respond well to irons.

When I come back from a thrift store haul, whatever can be laundered goes in the laundry bag (in a plastic bag, just to be on the safe side); hand-washing goes directly into the sink, and stuff I would ordinarily take to the dry cleaners gets steamed instead – in just a few minutes, I’ve got wrinkle and odor-free clothes that may not be new, but they’re new to me!

Once the water in the chamber is hot, you’ll get a steady stream of steam from a long nozzle attached to the water tank. The hangar that comes with my steamer comes with a bottom rail that features clips, so I can stretch the fabric taut while I steam.

• Tip: Don’t leave the steamer on the fabric for too long – this can cause puckering and can also cause delicate dyes to fade. Think of it as a flat iron and your clothes as your hair – you don’t want to fry them, just smooth out wrinkles. So use a light touch.

Next week’s tip will answer Dove’s question about dyeing – I just finished a batch that came out beautifully without the use of a washer or one of my beloved pots!

Got a question of your own? Comment here!

Want more? Check out our video on How to Remove Ink Marks from Thrift Store Clothing