Regardless of whether you rely on your garment steamer daily or use it once in a blue moon, it can get grimy. This is a water-based appliance that is subject to both mildew and hard water mineral deposits.
Just as is true with every other small appliance in your home, your steamer needs to be cleaned periodically. So, how do you clean a garment steamer?
Why Regular Steamer Cleaning Is Essential
Your garment steamer needs to be in prime condition to function properly. If the steamer is clogged with hard water residue, the machine won’t create and distribute steam properly.
The moisture may come out as sputter. This means that your clothes will get wetter than intended and may take longer to dry.
In addition, clogs can interfere with the machine’s longevity. As a result, you might need to replace the garment steamer soon than you planned.
Signs Your Steamer Needs Cleaning
The most obvious sign that you might notice if your steamer requires cleaning is sputtering water instead of a soft, steady spurt of steam.
If the steamer is partially clogged, you may also notice that a less powerful stream of steam is produced. This can make it difficult to properly steam your clothes, drapes and other items in a reasonable amount of time.
In some cases, you might notice white residue around the nozzle vents. This residue is made up of hard water minerals. While the water that you put into the garment steamer will turn into steam, the minerals in the water will remain in the small appliance.
What Causes Mineral Deposits in Steamers
If you don’t use a water softener in your home, chances are that your home in Manchester has hard tap water. This means that heavy minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, are found in the water.
These minerals aren’t harmful for human consumption, but they can be hard on your pipes, plumbing fixtures and any appliances that use water.
Once the minerals dry out, they form a hard residue that won’t rinse away. Special effort is required to properly clean mineral deposits out of a steamer.
Step-by-Step: How to Clean a Garment Steamer
Before you start cleaning your garment steamer, read through the owner’s instructions for specific information regarding your make and model. Generally, these steps are suitable for most models.
- Drain all water from the garment steamer.
- Fill the steamer with distilled white vinegar.
- Turn on the steamer. Aim the steamer away from you. Also, don’t point it at wood or painted surfaces.
- Once all of the vinegar has been expelled from the steamer in the form of steam, fill the tank with distilled water. Avoid using tap water as this will re-introduce hard water minerals to the steamer.
- Run the steamer until all of the water is expelled. This should remove all vinegar from the steamer. However, if you notice a lingering vinegar aroma repeat this step.
- Pour out any remaining water.
- After the steamer cools down, wipe it dry with a microfiber cloth.
How Often Should You Clean Your Steamer?
If your steamer is your daily go-to for removing wrinkles, you should follow these cleaning steps on a monthly basis.
However, you might be able to go six to eight weeks between cleaning sessions if you use distilled water instead of tap water. On the other hand, your garment steamer should be cleaned after every use if you seldomly use it.
Tips to Prevent Future Mineral Buildup
There are a few helpful tips that you can follow to prevent mineral building and optimize your garment steamer’s performance and life.
- Empty the water tank after every use.
- Towel-dry the garment steamer or allow it to air-dry in an open area after each use.
- If your home doesn’t have a water softener, use distilled water instead of tap water.
Staying ahead of all of your cleaning chores is a major time commitment. Whether you have a busy schedule or you simply want to put more hours back into your week, a professional housekeeper can help. For quality Boston cleaning services that will leave your home sparkling, call the TidyHere team today.
