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Garment Steamers and the Care Behind Every Look
The page title points to a market report on garment steamers, the handheld and upright machines made by brands such as Rowenta, PurSteam and Steamfast. Rather than repeat dated market figures, it is more useful to look at why steamers have become a fixture backstage, in styling kits and in everyday wardrobes, and how to use one well.
Why stylists reach for steam
Backstage at a runway show or on a shoot, there is rarely time to set up an ironing board. A steamer relaxes creases in seconds while the garment hangs, which makes it practical for flowing dresses, pleated skirts, structured jackets and anything with embellishment that an iron could crush or scorch. Steam also refreshes fabric between wears and helps knits and wool recover their shape, so many people find they wash delicate pieces less often.
Handheld or upright?
- Handheld steamers are compact and travel-friendly, ideal for quick touch-ups, small apartments and packing for fashion week trips.
- Upright models hold more water and usually produce steam for longer, which suits anyone steaming a full rail of clothes or working with heavy fabrics like coats and curtains.
Fabric-friendly technique
Hang the garment and pull the fabric gently taut with one hand while moving the steam head slowly from top to bottom. Keep the nozzle slightly away from silk, velvet and satin to avoid water spots, and test an inside seam first on anything you are unsure about. Leather, suede and some synthetics with heat-sensitive finishes are best left to a professional cleaner. Always check the care label, empty the water tank after use, and consider distilled water if your area has hard water, since mineral build-up can shorten a machine's life.
Good garment care is part of personal style: a well-steamed piece drapes the way the designer intended. For more on how silhouettes and fabrics are shaping the season, browse our trend coverage or catch up on recent shows in the Runway section.