Investing in a clothes steamer makes sense if you wear a lot of delicate fabrics or just aren't into ironing. If you've never used a steamer before, it can be intimidating.

A steamer is the best way to get wrinkles out of clothes without an iron. As the name suggests, steamers heat water and direct the vapors through a nozzle onto the fabrics, releasing wrinkles, deodorizing, and killing germs. It's a gentle, effective, space-saving strategy that doesn't require a clunky ironing board.

We're breaking down how to use the device, what you should steam rather than iron, and must-know fabric care tips to help you effortlessly remove wrinkles. Learn how to steam clothes like a pro to leave your clothes crease-free and fresh with these tips.

The 5 Winners of Our Best Clothes Steamers Tests

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

• Clothes Steamer

Materials

• Filtered water

Instructions

How to Use a Clothes Steamer

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2. Brie Goldman

Fill Water Reservoir

1. Clothes steamers create their steam from a container of clean water. Fill the device's water reservoir before getting started. Some guidelines to keep in mind include:

• Don't overfill: Allow the water to reach the reservoir max line, but no more.
• Water type matters: Never use stale water that's been left sitting in the reservoir. Tap water works, but filtered water helps prevent a buildup of mineral deposits from occurring.
• Don't add chemicals: Cleaning agents, deodorizers or other chemicals are a no-no. They could cause injury or damage the device or your clothes.

Hang Clothes

1. Hang your garment for the most effective and efficient steaming. Some larger models come with a hanger, but if you're using a handheld steamer, it's fine to use one from your wardrobe and hang the item over a door. 
2. Don't hang too low—a garment trailing on the floor can get dirty and wrinkle.

Heat Steamer and Test Fabric

1. It takes time to reach temperatures of 200 degrees plus. Handheld streamers might be good to go in 10 seconds; some bigger models take longer, especially when on a higher heat setting. Once the steamer is ready, test a small area of fabric before getting started.
2. While steaming clothes is a gentle option, testing on an inconspicuous area of fabric is a sensible precaution if you have a beloved, very delicate garment. It also helps you establish whether the steamer is at the most appropriate temperature.
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4. Brie Goldman

Hover Closely Over the Fabric 

1. Getting up close and personal with the fabric works best. Generally, the nozzle should be half an inch to a few inches away from the garment, depending on the fabric type and steamer model. It's fine if the steamer touches the fabric directly, unless it is delicate silk.
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3. Brie Goldman

Start Slowly from the Top

1. A slow, methodical approach from the top down works best. Pull the garment taut (without stretching) to help relax the fibers, especially for stubborn creases. If the item has a lining, steam this first. Steaming delicate fabrics, like silk, from the inside is a good strategy to avoid water marks on the outer side.
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3. Brie Goldman

Repeat the Process for Stubborn Creases

1. One steam might be enough for minimally creased, light fabrics. When there are a lot of wrinkles on a thicker fabric, go over it a few times for best results. Be sure to check if you need to refill the water reservoir after using the steamer for several garments.
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3. Brie Goldman

Let Clothes Dry

1. Because steam is created from water, you may end up with a few damp spots on your garment; this is normal. Don't put your garment back in the wardrobe or on while it is still damp. You want to avoid adding wrinkles back in, and hanging a damp item too close to other garments in the closet can cause mildew and a musty smell.

Store Steamer Correctly

1. When you're done steaming, empty the water reservoir and allow the steamer to cool fully before storing it. Leaving water in the steamer between sessions is not recommended; it can easily spill in storage, and you risk bacteria build-up from the stagnant water.

What Clothes Can You Steam?

Stick with steaming natural fabrics such as cotton, linen, wool, silk, etc. Avoid steaming leather, suede, waxed fabrics, plastic, or clothes with intricate beading or other embellishments. Even the best clothes steamers aren't designed to tackle these types of materials.

100% synthetic fibers, such as nylon or polyester, don't love high heat, so testing on a hidden spot of fabric before use is key.

Brie Goldman

Clothes Steamer Safety Tips

Steamers get hot. To protect your hands and clothes, follow these safety tips:

• Refer to manufacturer's instructions: Always check the manual for model-specific user guidance. 
• Keep your free hand out of the way: Don't let the steamer glide over your hand when you're pulling the garment taut. 
• Consider a steamer glove: These mitts help protect the hand that is keeping the fabric taut. They're not for use on your steaming hand, as you won't be able to grip the tool properly. Don't have a steamer glove? Your oven glove will do the job.
• Turn off the steamer when not in use: Don't try to fill the water reservoir when the steamer is on, and don't leave the steamer running while you take a quick call. Always switch it off when you aren't actively steaming. It only takes seconds to heat back up.

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When to Use a Clothes Steamer Instead of an Iron

Ironing presses wrinkles out (sometimes with the assistance of steam) on top of the flat, hard surface of the ironing board. Ironing clothes offers a crisp finish, even on thick fabrics. However, care and the right techniques are needed to prevent scorching and avoid creating unwanted creases.

Ironing is a quick and easy solution for most everyday items, like shirts and pants. But if you're working with delicate fabrics (like silk), an iron can actually ruin the fabric—so steaming is the best option. Similarly, if you're removing wrinkles from a garment that has a large surface area (like a flowy dress), steaming can eliminate the pesky creases that an iron tends to leave.