The Best Travel Clothes Steamers

Buying Guide

Portable fabric steamers can be extremely useful, especially when you are in a hurry or traveling. Some can also be used on household items, like stuffed animals, curtains and upholstery. Although full-sized garment steamers are still useful, portable ones allow you to move them around the items, making the job faster and easier.

Before buying a portable fabric steamer, decide what you will be using it for. If you plan to bring it when traveling, smaller may be better. For heavier fabrics, look for higher capacities and longer run times per fill of the water tank.

Travel steamers come in a variety of sizes and hold different amounts of water. Once they are charged (many come with power cords), the continuous-temperature steam will last for a certain amount of time. Charging times vary, so be sure to check the water capacity and charging times when you are shopping.

For the best results, you should use distilled water in your fabric steamer, as this prevents mineral buildup. Tap water can also be used, but you may need to clean the steamer more often. This can be done with vinegar and distilled water; check the package for cleaning instructions.

• Never touch the fabric steamer when it is hot, or you could burn yourself. Remember: water boils at 212° F.
• Only use purified or distilled water with your steamer; do not use anything with chemicals, like laundry detergent or fabric softener.
• Always hold your fabric steamer upright when using it, unless the manufacturer specifies differently.
• The water reservoir will have a “Max” line. Do not fill it up past this line.
• Be sure to turn the fabric steamer off when it is not being used or when it is running out of water. Many steamers have automatic shutoff features, which are important for safety.