Anyone own a clothing steamer?

[nupe]

I don't see why I should send my cotton shirts to the cleaners where they will be washed in rough conditions, just so they look pressed. I would like to wash them at home on hand wash cycle and then use a steamer? Has anyone tried one, or have one? DS has a few dress up outfits that I must wash by hand as the fabric is delicate, but would look nice if I could relax the wrinkles. Am I expecting too much from a small device?

Consumer reports tested a few steamers. The Rowenta DG 980 tested well, but costs just over $200 on amazon.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/h...r-tests_ov.htm

Thanks,Nupe

[crl]

Can't help you with your actual question, sorry. I just wanted to mention that you can take things to the cleaners just for pressing. I have a pair of jeans that I can't iron correctly (I don't usually iron jeans but this pair requires it and I'm lousy at ironing). So I just take them to the cleaners for pressing. I specify not to wash them, just press them.

[nupe]

Good idea--my old cleaner would press only for a reasonable charge, but my new cleaner only deducts $1 for this--kind of pricey to pay over $5 just for pressing, in my opinion. If I have 6 shirts a month--it still takes a while to get to the $200 for the Rowenta steamer.

Nupe

[smkinc]

I've been thinking about buying a steamer. My mom got one off QVC--a Rowenta. I think she spent ~$200. I've used it at her house and thought it would be great to have. I hate ironing, but using the steamer just seemed easier. On Amazon, the Jiffy steamers also had good reviews--people seemed to prefer them to the Rowenta.

Mary

[smkinc]

I've been thinking about buying a steamer. My mom got one off QVC--a Rowenta. I think she spent ~$200. I've used it at her house and thought it would be great to have. I hate ironing, but using the steamer just seemed easier. On Amazon, the Jiffy steamers also had good reviews--people seemed to prefer them to the Rowenta.

Mary

[kozachka]

I just wash and iron DH white shirts at home. I am not sure why you need a steamer, I must be missing something here. I do spray them with Amway Fabric Finish and steam as necessary and they look fine. No complains from DH so far and we've stopped using cleaners for shirts at least 6 months ago.

ETA: and DH is very particular about his shirts

[JenfromWI]

I bought a steamer a couple of years ago- for pressing delicate/dry clean only items, curtains, etc. It's a cheaper brand that I bought from QVC (not Rowenta) and I paid just under $100. It's hidden somewhere in my basement and I never use it. Whenever I would try to use it, it would spit water in addition to make steam. This didn't work well with dry clean only items. My advice would be make sure you are going to use it, as steamers are bigger to store than an iron, not to mention that they are expensive. My other piece of advice would be to do your research- which you've already done. I would definitely pay more for a quality one.