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Best Steam Cleaner for Clothes – Top 8 Clothes Steamer in 2022

Clothes steamers are very versatile tools that can be used for removing wrinkles and creases in clothing, giving you that crisp and clean look. They are much safer and easier to use than traditional clothing irons and are considered to be less harsh on your clothing as well. This page includes the top 8 best steam cleaner for clothes to choose from.

Top 8 Best Steam Cleaner for Clothes to Remove Wrinkles


Reviews of the 8 Best Clothes Steamer

#1. Best Upright – PurSteam Full Size Standing Steamer for Clothes and Curtains

steam cleaner with 4 steaming levels for clothes

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This fast, effective, and easy to use steamer and wrinkle remover from PurSteam is one of the most powerful and efficient steamers on the market today. Because of its design, it is capable of continuous hot steam which produces 30% more steam than competitor’s models, all the while being easy to use and cost-effective.

There are 4 levels of steam which are adjustable with the control mechanism, and a burn prevention safety feature to ensure that you won’t get any burns when using and refilling the water tank. This easy to use and versatile steamer allows you to remove wrinkles in your clothing and get that crisp clean look quickly and with little effort.

Brilliant Features
  • It is easy to store and takes up little space
  • This releases plenty of steam without a back spray, allowing for quick and easy use
  • There is no assembly required, and everything is put together before being shipped out
  • This powerful steamer is budget-friendly without sacrificing on performance or maneuverability
Flaws but Not Deal Breakers
  • There is no ironing board included, and some may find it difficult to steam their clothes while hanging upright

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#2. Best Rated – Cheap Portable Handheld Clothes Steam Cleaner

handheld steamer for clothes

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This portable handheld steamer from Beautural preheats within seconds and removes wrinkles fast so you can get on with your daily routine. For its compact size, the water tank is decent, at 260ml; or 8.79 ounces.

This compact garment steamer is safe to use on most fabrics, and you can rest easy knowing that there is no leaking when using this product thanks to the Pump Steam Technology. Included in this purchase are 3 easy-to-use attachments (fabric brush, creaser, and lint brush) that give an aspect of versatility to this already powerful garment steamer.

Brilliant Features
  • Unlike some streamers, there is a button that allows you to start and stop the flow of steam
  • Easy to use and store, and there are no issues with the steamer spitting water out while in use
  • Ready to use in 30 seconds, and for a compact steamer, the water tank is a good size that will be adequate for small jobs
Flaws but Not Deal Breakers
  • The power cord is not the longest, standing at only 7.8 feet

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#3. Best for Fabric Clothes – Handheld Steamer with Dual Heat

Handheld steam cleaner for fabric clothes

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Great for fabric clothes, the Conair handheld steam cleaner features Extreme Steam Dual Heat Technology that allows steam to heat to up to 30% hotter than previous models, allowing for a deep steam-cleaning action that will remove wrinkles easily and quickly.

This dual heat system ensures that the steamer will heat up quickly, and can be used for a decent amount of time due to the size of the water tank. With the option to change between low and high steam for a variety of different fabric types, with 3 removable attachments available.

Additionally, because of the heat of the steam that this model can produce, you can rest easy knowing that bed bugs, bacteria, and allergens will be eliminated when steam cleaning your clothes and fabrics.

Brilliant Features
  • Penetrates fabric deeply and quicky to eliminate wrinkles and allergens
  • The 3 removable attachments and 2 steam settings make this a powerful yet versatile steam cleaner
  • Although compact in design, this is a powerful fabric steamer that is easy to take with you wherever life takes you
Flaws but Not Deal Breakers
  • There is no weighted stand, so when not in use you will need to lay it down sideways

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#4. Hot Sale – Hilife Small Travel Clothes Steamer

travel steamer to steam clean clothes

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This 240 ML capacity steamer from Hilife will last for 15 minutes of continuous use before needing to be refilled, and its ergonomic design makes it easy to handle, use, and store. The decently sized power cord gives you more maneuverability and versatility when in use, and this steamer is great for all types of surfaces.

This steamer is compact enough that it is easy to take with you on trips, business ventures, or wherever life takes you. The 700 watts of power behind this steamer makes it easier to remove tough set-in wrinkles the first time, without needing to go over your clothing over and over.

Brilliant Features
  • Perfect for travel, quick refreshers, and everyday use
  • In addition to steam cleaning clothes and fabrics, it is a great all-purpose cleaner for around the home
  • The steamer is easy to use, clean, and store; while being compact enough to take with you wherever you need it
Flaws but Not Deal Breakers
  • It has a small  capacity so you should buy an upright steamer if you need to steam lots of clothes

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#5. Best Professional – Rowenta Clothes Garment Steamer with Built-in Hanger

professional steam cleaner for clothes with hanger

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Professional grade steam cleaners that are budget-friendly are hard to come by; which makes the Rowenta Garment Steamer such a great find. The water tank has a good capacity at 2.4 liters, and the steamer itself is easy to use, with a built-in hanger that gives clothes a proper backing to steam properly.

The telescopic pole in this garment steamer detracts, allowing for easy storage when not in use; when in use, this model is easy to use and maneuver. For the size, this model has a very quick pre-heating cycle at only 60 seconds, which provides up to 1 hour of continuous steam. Included in this purchase are accessories to further add versatility and function to this steam cleaner.

Brilliant Features
  • The tilt and roll design makes moving this model around easy, especially when in use
  • The provided clothes hanger makes it easy to steam your garments without needing to find anything to support the backs
  • The insulated steam hose that is easy to move around and won’t get too hot when handling; all the while ensuring that the water in this steamer is not cooling off
Flaws but Not Deal Breakers
  • Because of the flexibility of the plastic hose, it is prone to kink, and the steamer works best if the hose of fully extended; removing some of the maneuverability

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#6. Best with Ironing Board – PurSteam Heavy Duty Clothes Steamer

large clothes steamer with a board

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This professional-grade heavy duty garment steamer from PurSteam comes fully equipped with an expandable ironing board; making it fast and easy to steam all of your favorite clothes to make them look crisp and clean.

In addition to being budget-friendly, this powerful steam cleaner allows for flexibility while you are steaming your clothes thanks to the ironing board, as well as the ability to forego the use of the board and use the hanger. The large 2-liter water tank enables you to steam all of your clothes without needing to refill the tank, and the one-touch steam button allows you to control the amount of steam that is used.

There are also safety features in place, such as the prevention safety cap that prevents the water tank from being opened while there is steam that could potentially burn your hands, arms, or face.

Brilliant Features
  • This unit preheats very quickly and has a long use time before needing to be refilled
  • Can be used for a wide range of fabrics and materials, and the ironing board allows you to re-set deep-seated wrinkles
  • This is a great tool to use for dress shirts, suits, pants, blouses, and gowns; it is easy to use and store, and allows for flexibility while in use
Flaws but Not Deal Breakers
  • There is no trigger mechanism to control the flow of steam, so it will be constantly spraying while the unit is plugged in

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#7. Best for Home and Travel Use – PurSteam Cheap 7-in-1 Fabric Steamer with Automatic Shut-off

Steamer for nylon blends or cotton or wool or linen or embroidery fabric

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Made of high-quality components, this garment steamer from PurSteam is a fast and effective wrinkle remover that is easy to use, store, and take with you. This highly durable garment steamer heats up within 90 seconds thanks to the heating ball element and is one of the most powerful steam cleaners on the market today.

It can quickly and easily de-wrinkle a wide range of products, from garments to upholstery and everything in between. It is gentle on fabrics, making it a great choice for your more delicate articles of clothing.

This compact yet powerful steamer is a great choice for those who travel often, as your clothes can tend to become wrinkled while on the road; this heats up quickly, fits in luggage easily, and will keep your clothes looking fresh and crisp.

Brilliant Features
  • Is safe to use, and features an automatic shut-off to prevent the unit from overheating
  • Easy to operate and maintain, can store in tight spaces, and is perfect for an on-to-go lifestyle
  • Considering it is compact in design, it can hold enough water to provide steam for a decent amount of time, and is fairly powerful
Flaws but Not Deal Breakers
  • Without a laying flat, it may cause inconvenience

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#8. Best Portable – Shark Professional Garment Steamer for Clothes

shark electric clothes steamer

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Rejuvenate your fabrics and clothes easily and quickly with the Shark Portable Garment Steamer that features a continuous flow to deeply penetrate, sanitize, clean, and refresh all of your favorite articles of clothing.

There is a lot to like about this garment steam cleaner, and if you are someone who travels a lot for either business or work, this is a product that you will want to seriously consider picking up. With the portable vertical ironing pad and hanger, you can easily and quickly use this anywhere, and the accessories included added an extra little aspect of versatility to clean and refresh your clothes.

This is easy to use and store, and will fit anywhere with ease; great to have on hand at home, or while on the go.

Brilliant Features
  • The ironing pad that can be installed on any door and moved as needed enables you to use this virtually anywhere
  • Easy to use and operate, its compact design allows you to take this with you wherever you go and has a decent size water tank
  • The ergonomic design is easy to hold and use, and the accessories that are included add a nice amount of versatility and function
Flaws but Not Deal Breakers
  • The power cord is fairly short, and you will want to make sure that you have adequate room to maneuver when using this product

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What Should I Look for in a Clothes Steamer?

While most clothes steamers function on the same basic principle: water is kept in the reservoir, and is heated by a heating element to create steam, which then goes through a plastic hose and is dispersed by the head of the steamer.

Some clothes steamers will have some more advanced features such as an automatic shut off, or come with more accessories to clean a wide range of clothes and curtains and fabrics.

There are a few things that you will want to look out for when you are considering purchasing or upgrading your garment steamer, and in the next section, we will give you all the information that is needed for you to make an informed decision.

  • Type

There are two main types of steam cleaners: floor models, and compact handheld models. When deciding which type to purchase, it should be taken into account what you will primarily be using it for, and how frequently.

Floor models are more suited for if you have a lot of clothes that you are going to be steaming, and they are meant to be used when the clothes are hanging; whereas handheld models are great options for if you are traveling, or just need a few clothes to have the clean, crisp, pressed look.

Additionally, both models are great for removing stains, odors, and allergens. Also, it should be kept in mind that there are even more compact versions of steamers that are primarily used for travel, and these are generally only used for single garments or at the maximum two garments at a time.

While they are great for when you are in a jam and need to eliminate wrinkles fast, they are very situational products.

Buy the Best Clothes Steam with Built-in Laying Flat

large clothes steamer with a board

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  • Performance

Like any type of product, when you are purchasing a clothes steamer, you will want to make sure that it can perform the way that you are needing. Good steamers will heat up quickly and disperse the steam evenly while in use. That said, the size of the water tank will have a determining factor in how quickly the steamer heats up, and how much you can use it before needing to be refilled.

Due to their size, standing water heaters will provide the most amount of steam in one use, while more compact models may require you to refill the water tank before you are done using them. Additionally, you will want to look for a steamer that disperses water evenly and doesn’t just shoot it at your clothes.

When you are looking to purchase a steam cleaner, you will want to make sure that it will perform in the way that you are needing, and be durable as well.

Buy the Compact Handheld Clothes Steamer for Travel

travel steamer to steam clean clothes

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  • Easy to Use and Clean

The steamer that you decide to purchase should both be easy to use and easy to clean. By this, we mean ones that are easy to maneuver around when you are using them, and when it times come to clean the water tank it is easy to do so. This means that you may want to find one that has a removable tank, as this will make it easy to fill as well as clean once you are done using it.

As far as ease of use goes, you will want to find one that is not too heavy and is easy to maneuver around, even if you are only planning on using it for clothes.

  • Price

Another important aspect of purchasing a clothes steamer, you will want to make sure that it fits within your budget while having all of the features that you are needing. While some of the higher-end models are worth the extra cost, generally a mid-grade model will have everything that you need as far as accessories, ease of use, and durability.

Generally more expensive than irons, garment steamers can range in price from $30 to more than $200; it is important to find a balance between price and what you are expecting out of your garment steamer.

Buy the Best Cheap Steam Cleaner for Professionally Clean Clothes

shark electric clothes steamer

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Standing Full-Size VS. Handheld Garment Steamer

While both the handheld and full size standing steamers are great inventions and products, deciding on which one is best suited for your needs generally comes down to personal preference. The major difference between the two being size, and that is true for the water reservoir as well.

With standing steam cleaners, you can expect a larger water reservoir meaning that you won’t need to refill it as often; however, these are bulkier and less easy to maneuver. They will generally include a pole with a hanger to steam your clothes as they are hanging.

For the smaller, more compact handheld steamers, the water reservoir is smaller and will need to be refilled for extended periods of use, and is better suited for smaller jobs. They are easier to maneuver, so you are sacrificing ease of use for maneuverability in most cases. These are also great to take with you while traveling, as they are compact enough to fit in most luggage containers.


FAQs

#1. Do Steamers Work on Clothes?

The short answer to this question is yes: steamers do work on clothes to remove wrinkles and give them more of a polished, crisp appearance. They do this by using steam to relax the fibers that are in your clothes and loosening the bonds between polymer molecules thus removing the wrinkles.

They can do this simply by heating water that is in the water tank and releasing steam onto the fabric, and there is no need for any type of ironing board or any other tools. Generally, steamers will consist of a water tank with some sort of heating element, connecting to a long metal rod that extends into the head of the steamer.

Additionally, there are more compact handheld models that are useful for when you are traveling, or are not needing to steam a lot of clothing. The water tank in these models will be smaller, meaning that it may need to be refilled before the job is done; however, these handheld models are easier to maneuver and carry with you.

how to choose the best steam cleaner for clothes

#2. Can Clothes Steamers Kill Bed Bugs?

You may know that steam is an effective tool for removing stains, odor, and allergens, but it can also be used to eliminate bed bugs. This is because of how hot the water has to reach to achieve the state of being steam; water this hot will effectively kill bed bugs.

To do so, you will want to make sure that the steamer you are using is capable of penetrating deep into your mattress, and you may want to flip the mattress over to get both sides. Simply make sure that the water is hot enough to create steam, and use the garment steamer as you would normally; except for pressing slightly into the mattress. This is also a great way to clean mattress pads and comforters.

#3. Is it Better to Iron or Steam Clothes?

That depends on the type of clothing, as both steam cleaners for garments and irons have their pros and cons. First, let’s take a look at what they have in common: they both use steam to transfer heat from the product to your clothing or fabric.

They both ensure that your clothes are looking their best by removing the wrinkles in them, and by making them look pressed and polished. Continue reading to see where they differ in their execution and result.

    • Iron

Clothing irons use steam coupled with both a flat ironing board and a triangular-shaped iron. While a more traditional approach, it is still a good option to give your clothes that pressed look; however, because the iron can get quite hot you run the risk of burning your clothes, and you need to have an ironing board handy to use properly. Irons are good for clothing that requires a pleat but are not suited for heavier types of fabric such as anything with ruffles.

    • Steamer

Like irons, garment steamers utilize steam to remove wrinkles and press your clothes for a crisp, clean appearance. They do this by using steam to relax the fibers that are in your clothes. Unlike irons, you don’t need to come into direct contact with your clothes, they are portable, and you don’t run the risk of damaging your clothes if the iron gets too hot.

Additionally, unlike traditional irons, they work on all types of clothing, and you don’t run the risk of burning or damaging your clothes due to the iron getting too hot. There is no need to have anything other than the steamer (unless you are using a floor model, then you may want to have the clothes hanger handy).

Buy the Professional Garment Steamer with Ironing Board

professional steam cleaner for clothes with hanger

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#4. Does Steam Cleaning Clothes Remove Odor?

One of the great pluses to steam cleaning your clothes is the fact that they do remove both odor and bacteria. They also will remove allergens that attract dust mites, as well as removing wrinkles and killing germs.

Steamers can remove odor and bacteria simply because of how hot the water is heated to achieve the state of being steam; when water is heated to a boiling point (creating steam), it is hot enough to kill bacteria and allergens that can create odor.

Additionally, this is done without the use of any harmful chemicals or detergents, and it removes wrinkles at the same time; freshening your clothes and giving a polished appearance.

#5. What Fabrics Should Not be Steamed?

While clothes steamers can work wonders on a wide variety of fabrics to remove wrinkles, eliminate odor and allergens, and leave them with a more polished look, there are some fabrics that you shouldn’t steam. As with anything, moderation is key; and even if you should try to avoid steam cleaning the following, a little steam won’t damage it too much.

    • Leather: While it can be steamed, you should take extra care not to over-steam it, or to allow too much water to penetrate the material. A little bit of steam can be beneficial to leather, just be careful not to go too overboard.
    • Suede: Another type of fabric that you should avoid steaming, as moisture can damage the integrity of the material. In some cases, a tiny bit of steam will be alright, but this should only be used to lightly freshen up the article of clothing.
    • Velvet: Due to its delicate and sensitive nature, you should try not to steam velvet, this can alter the appearance as well as the integrity.

If you are unsure whether a type of fabric can be steamed, try to steam clean a small area that is not easily noticeable and see how the material reacts.

Buy the Cheap Handheld Fabric Steam Cleaner

Handheld steam cleaner for fabric clothes

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#6. Does Steam Remove Stains from Clothes?

Garments steamers are great options to remove stains and freshen up your clothes. It is a great way to spot-treat stains, especially when time is a factor and you need something that is going to work fast, without the use of any detergents or harmful chemicals.

It may not be your first instinct when it comes to removing stains, but if you try it once you probably will use it first when you see a stain suddenly appear. Unlike traditional spot-treating stains, you don’t run the risk of deepening the stain by rubbing; simply spray the steam on, and blot dry. In most cases, this will take care of the stain; however, if for some reason it does, not, simply adding some vinegar to the water in the reservoir should take care of the stain.


Are Garment Steamers any Good?

Garment steamers can be good, quality products but like with anything, you do get what you pay for. They are great products that are good alternatives to irons, are easy to use, and do the job without the use of any harmful chemicals or sprays.

Don’t be discouraged if you notice that the first time you use a garment steamer it does not remove all of the wrinkles, as depending on how many wrinkles and the amount of steam used, you may need to go over your clothes more than once.

For the most part, however, they are excellent at removing wrinkles, killing germs that can cause odor, lifting stains, and overall refreshing your clothes.