A steamer is a fast, easy-to-use appliance for removing wrinkles from furniture slipcovers, upholstery, and drapes.

A clothes steamer can even cleantough grime and sanitizehard surfaces around the house.

Before You Begin

Clothes steamersheat water to produce steam distributed through a directional nozzle.

Clothes steamer with steam releasing in front of rack of clothes

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Never direct the steam toward your hands or attempt to steam a garment while wearing it.

Water sputters can leave stains on some fabrics and take longer to dry.

Test the steamer on a kitchen towel to ensure a full head of steam.

Materials and tools to use a clothes steamer

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

If it isn’t, place a waterproof tarp under the cloth before using the clothes steamer.

Leave the garment hanging until it is fully dry.

To speed up the drying time, use a rotating fan.

Water added to clothes steamer tank

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Never use a steamer on suede, wax-coated jackets, or plastic.

Clothes steamer turned on

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Steamer placed in front of hanging clothes on rack

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Steamer head held in underside of delicate hanging clothes

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Rotating fan placed in front of steamed clothes to dry

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Clothes steamer unplugged to cool before storage

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Clothes steamer tank filled with distilled white vinegar for cleaning

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald