Packing has always been a challenge to travel enthusiasts. Settling on the things that you should carry on your trip can be the difference between having fun or an awful trip. Clothes usually get wrinkles even after laundry. It even gets worse when you have to cramp them in your suitcase when you are planning to travel. No one wants to get out with rumpled clothes irrespective of whether you are on a business trip or out there having fun. Clothes come with different types of materials, and some get wrinkles with ease. Removing wrinkles from your clothes using a garment steamer while you are on travel will allow you to wear them with confidence. Such a device heats water until it becomes steam which then releases it through a nozzle, which in turn relaxes the fabric’s fiber and eliminates the wrinkles. You can also use this appliance to remove odors from your clothes as well as freshen the fabric.
These appliances come in different designs, as the Garment Steamer Guide illustrates. Getting the best fit for your traveling needs may not be that easy. The following are of the factors to consider when selecting a garment steamer.
Type
There are different classifications of garment steamers. You can either have travel or home garment steamer if we base on where you will use the appliance. A travel garment steamer should be lightweight to make it easy to carry other travel essentials. Such an appliance should also be leak-proof so that you do not end up with soaked clothes while traveling. Ensure that you check the description of the appliance to ensure that you choose one that is designed for travel. You can also follow the instructions on storage and how to take care of the garment steamer while on transit.
Performance ratings
There are different rating standards for garment steamers, depending on the store, manufacturer, and country of origin. For instance, you may find that some stores are rating these appliances on a grade of 1-10 while others will rate on a scale of 5. The higher the rating, the higher will be the performance of the appliance in question. You should pay close attention to how fast the steamer heats, the volume of steam output, and the capacity of water that it can hold. There may be other ratings such as portability, which will determine the ease of moving around with the appliance.
Energy usage
There are likely to be disruptions on the kind of life you are used to when you are in transit. Some hotels may have circuit breakers, which makes it hard to use a steamer with high voltage. You may also have to pay energy bills when you rent in some areas. Ensure that you get a steamer that does not consume a lot of energy but still gives the quality of output that you desire. Appliances that are energy efficient are the most ideal even when you are on the road.
Features and attachments
A garment steamer will not be the only appliance that you will have carry while on travel. You thus need to ensure that you have compact luggage and also have something that you can use for multiple tasks. It is important to determine what it takes to get the garment steamer working.
You have to check attachments such as collapsible handles and brushes and how much space they will occupy on your travel bags. The steam and heat settings will also determine if it is the right type of garment steamer for your needs.
Now that you understand how to select a garment steamer, then we can go ahead and discuss how to use one. Follow these steps:
Heat the steamer
A garment steamer uses water to freshen clothes and remove wrinkles on the fabric. Water can spill on your clothes and leave some stains or marks if you are not careful. Ensure that water in your appliance heats up to a point where it becomes steam. You can test the steamer using
your towel to ensure that it is ready for your fabric.
Steam fabrics in an upright, vertical position
Using a steamer is not the same as ironing. You lay your clothes on an ironing board when doing the latter. On the other hand, you need to hook your garments in an upright position when steaming. Touch the target material lightly with the head of the steamer, and wrinkles will start
vanishing. This approach allows the steam from the appliance to penetrate and relax the fibers on your clothes and eliminate the wrinkles. The material on your cloth should determine the steaming approach to take. Never touch velvet directly with the head of your steamer. Steam
silk fabrics from the underside to avoid watermarks or streaking.
What to avoid when using a garment steamer
Pressing the steamer on the fabric will not straighten it. However, it will make condensation within the steamer’s hose to flow downwards. Avoid testing steam using your hand directly as you may suffer from burns. You should also take care of the heating element by ensuring that
you do not overfill the tank or make it run dry while still in use. Keeping the water container upright while steaming will prevent spills. Unplug the appliance from the power source and drain water after use.
How to clean your garment steamer
Your garment steamer needs to be clean if you want it to be efficient. Use distilled water as it is free from minerals and limescale that is likely to build up on areas such as the jets and steam outlet. Ensure that you clean this appliance frequently if you use tap water. Make sure that the
steamer is dry before you store it. Ensure that you have a garment steamer as you pack your traveling essentials. You just need a few minutes either in your hotel room or the camper van to straighten your clothes. Ensure that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using the garment steamer if you want it to be durable and efficient.
