Steamer Not Getting Wrinkles Out? 3 Tips To Sort Them Out

Stuck trying to figure out why your steamer is not getting wrinkles out?

You’re not alone. In fact, thousands of people are in the same situation as you. But, the good news is that you’ve come to the right place for answers.

If your steamer is not getting wrinkles out, chances are you’re not using distilled water, you’re not hanging your clothes to steam them, or you’re not allowing your garment to dry before you use it.

Don’t worry, though. In this article, you’ll learn how to steam out wrinkles properly and other tips that will help you fix the issue!

3 Reasons Why Your Steamer Is Not Getting Wrinkles Out

Steamers are very useful, but there are some issues that might arise that will prevent them from removing the wrinkles you are dealing with.

These are the most common issues of steamers:

#1 Intermittent steam

You may not know this, but mineral deposits could explain why your steamer does not create steam or creates bursts of steam instead of constant steam.

Mineral deposits are often caused by hard water or by minerals that are present in the water that you are using.

The best way to prevent calcium deposits that can lead to intermittent steam is to clean out the calcium deposits and only use distilled water while steaming.

#2 Sediment and Limescale

Another issue you might be dealing with is sediment in the steamer. This is, again, an issue that is a result of the water that is being used in the steamer.

Hard water, or water that has a lot of minerals in it, has a better chance of causing build-up in your steamer that can then interrupt the performance of your steamer.

To avoid this situation from happening again, please use distilled water and clean your steamer.

#3 Strange Smells

The last issue you might be dealing with is of course strange smells. These can be the result of mildew and mold in the tank or in the tubing.

To solve this issue, you should take the time to clean your steamer often, and use only distilled water in it.

Moreover, please make sure your steamer has dried fully before you put it away, and don’t forget that cleaning your steamer regularly is going to help ensure its functionality.

How to Properly Use a Garment Steamer

Knowing how to properly steam a garment can make a huge difference in the overall way that your steamer works and in how effective it is at removing wrinkles and getting your clothes looking and smelling great.

Here’s how to steam out wrinkles:

#1 Check the Labels and Directions

The first step when it comes to steaming your clothes is to make sure that you read the directions for your steamer and the potential issues you may have with certain fabrics.

You should also check the label of the clothing to see what can be steamed and what cannot be steamed. This way, you’ll avoid ruining your favorite t-shirt.

#2 Use Cold and Distilled Water

You wouldn’t believe how many people I’ve seen complain about not being able to get wrinkles out just because they were not using the correct water.

If you’d like to know how to steam out wrinkles properly, it’s crucial that you understand the differences between normal and distilled water.

Unlike regular water, distilled water doesn’t contain solid minerals, which can help prevent build-up and other issues with the steamer. Moreover, I recommend using cold water because it can help prevent color loss.

#3 Do a Spot Check

The next thing you should do is a spot check. This means choosing a place at the hem that is not overly visible and doing a patch test.

This is going to help you make sure that if the garment is not safe for steaming, you find out before you steam the entire garment and potentially damage it.

Spot checks can also help you to figure out how long it is going to take you to steam a particular garment and how much steam you should be using.  

#4 Hang the Garment

Now, it’s time for us to hang the garment.

This is going to allow gravity to help the steamer remove wrinkles. It also allows the steam to penetrate the fabric and not bunch up or cause further wrinkles because the garment is laid down and not hung.

#5 Keep Your Distance

You should be keeping your steamer nozzle a few inches away from the garment at all times.

Though it may seem like touching the garment with the steamer is the best way to get the quickest outcome, you should only be allowing the steam to touch the garment.

Keep your steamer away from the garment so that it does not burn or become damaged. Move down the garment slowly to allow plenty of time for the steam to work and to release the wrinkles.

#6 Allow Time to Dry

The last thing you need to do is to allow the garment time to dry fully before you try to use it, or before you try to wear it.

If you try to wear a garment that is still damp from steaming, you may end up with wrinkles as you wear the garment and as it dries naturally. There may also be water spots when you first get done steaming, these spots will dry as the garment dries.

Choosing the Right Steamer

When you decide to buy a steamer, you do need to take the time to find the right steamer for your needs. If you are going to be using it for smaller fabrics or for smaller items, you may be able to get a compact steamer.

But, if you are going to be using it for larger items like sofas, and rugs, or you’re going to use it for sanitizing and cleaning your home, you may need a larger steamer.

You should take time to look at things like what fabrics it is meant to steam, how to use it, and reviews as well. This will help you find the right steamer for you and the right option that is going to work for your needs.

Steamers are great, they can be used to make clothes look great, remove smells, and can even be used to help sanitize your home. The right steamer can make all the difference, and knowing how to steam out wrinkles can also make a difference.