Thursday, June 5, 2008

Pressing Shirts With A Clothing Steamer

A fabric steamer can make the professional pressing of a shirt much easier. Steaming is much more expedient when it comes to shirt ironing. When you use a fabric iron getting the details such as the cuffs and collars right can be a real challenge.

Pressing your shirt is one of the most important things that you can do to look together, especially if you are going to a job. A well-pressed shirt makes you look like you have self-esteem, authority and confidence. If you need to take these qualities on the road you can always bring a Travel Steamer with you in your suitcase so you are always able to have a freshly pressed shirt with you. Wearing a well-pressed shirt can make a huge difference in how others perceive you. This is true whether you are a man or a woman and that is why the Tobi steamer should be a crucial part of anyone's life that has to wear a suit or uniform to work that also includes a dress shirt.

The Tobi steamer is an example of a clothing steamer that isappropriate to use on most dress shirt fabrics. Do not use tap water or put scents or additives into a garment wrinkle remover unit or you could end up with stains or discolorations of the shirt. It is best to use distilled water in these units. Be sure to bring a small bottle of distilled water with you in your suitcase if you are using a Travel Steamer, such as the Tobi Travel Steamer.

Before you use the Tobi steamer make sure you check to see what kind of shirt fabric you are dealing with. If you are stuck using an old fashioned metal iron then this is particularly important, as some fabrics like linen or chiffon are very easy to scorch. In fact there are many fabrics that you can not use a traditional iron on but that you can use a non traditional iron like a Tobi steamer on. Still using a garment steamer is not completely fool-proof. There are some shirt fabrics, especially those made of polyester that do not take that well to steaming either. For best results make sure you check the cleaning tags on the dress shirt before you start pressing it with either a traditional iron or a steamer like the Tobi steamer. Also before you buy a shirt, make sure you always check the cleaning instructions on the tag to see if it requires dry cleaning. In most cases you can use a Tobi steamer on itmes that need to be dry cleaned as well.
For the most part fabric steamers can be used with any type of fabric. The Tobi steamer comes with a bit of a flat edge and flat surface that allows you to get very close to the shirt so that the pressing job that you can do on it is very detailed and very thorough. People will think that you took it to a professional cleaners the results are so impressive.

By Maria Patricio

What is a Fabric Steamer?

Commercial fabric steamers have been available since the early 1900s, but compact models are a fairly modern invention. It is said the idea for a small fabric steamer came about because of the popularity of men's hats during the 1940s. At that time, many people used a teakettle to steam wrinkles out of their favorite fedoras. But the invention of the fabric steamer changed all that. No longer did people have to slave over a hot iron or teakettle to remove creases.

Today's fabric steamer comes in three basic sizes: the commercial floor models used at dry cleaners and manufacturing plants; the mid-sized models for home or small businesses such as tailors or seamstresses; and the most recent evolution of the fabric streamer--the mini fabric steamers used for quick touch ups and travel.

A fabric steamer uses steam rather than heat to remove wrinkles. The steam, and slight pressure of the steamer's surface, relaxes the fibers rather than flattening them. Because of this process, using a fabric steamer is gentler on clothing, faster than using an iron, and eliminates scorching.

The fabric steamer is ideal for use on napped fabric, such as velvets and velveteen. A traditional iron will crush the nap, unless used with a needle board, but the fabric steamer doesn't exert pressure, preserving the luxurious look and feel of any material. Even very delicate materials, such as satins and silks, benefit from the gentle care of a fabric steamer.

The newer portable-sized fabric steamer is a must for the savvy traveler. It eliminates the hassle of requesting an ironing board, or sending clothes to the valet to be pressed. A travel fabric steamer is lightweight and fits easily into your luggage. Having it handy will ensure you look sharp at any business meeting you attend.

A fabric steamer is easy to use. You simply hang up your garment, fill up the steamer's water reservoir, plug it in, wait for a few minutes, and proceed to go over the article with a sweeping motion, allowing the steam to straighten any wrinkles.

In addition to clothing, a fabric steamer can be extremely handy for other chores around the house. You can quickly use the fabric steamer to freshen drapes, upholstered furniture, cloth shower curtains, car upholstery, and even, wigs. Once you recognize the ease and value of using a fabric steamer, you will no doubt find countless uses for it.

Source
wisegeek.com