A Garment Steamer removes wrinkles from curtains and drapes by relaxing the fabric.
It works without pressing physically onto the curtain like an iron would, which makes it less prone to damage your curtains.
The steam also has some bacteria-killing properties because of its high temperature.
This process works best when you steam from top to bottom of your curtain. Make sure the steamer is always held at least one inch away from the fabric.
The recommended steam time is 3–10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fabric and length of the curtain or drape.
At first, removing wrinkles from curtains and drapes might seem a daunting task, but with the right tips and tricks it can be a breeze.
In this article I will give you some tips on how to remove those wrinkles by using a garment steamer, so that they look as good as new, and most important, wrinkle-free.
Basically, there are 4 main steps to remove wrinkles from curtains and drapes, as shown in the following infographic:
Download your free PDF here
4 Steps to wrinkle-free curtains and drapes
- Install your drapes and curtains.
- Get the garment steamer ready.
- Start at the top and move downward.
- Repeat the process up to 3 times.
Bonus Tip: If wrinkles persist, try to steam the back of the curtain.
Warning: Make sure to keep the nozzle at least 1/2 inch from delicate fabrics such as silk or velvet, or you might damage them.
There are many types of steamers out there. Some are better than others, but how do you know which ones are the best for getting rid of wrinkles? And which ones can damage your curtains and drapes?
What features should I look for in a Garment Steamer for Curtains and Drapes?
I have researched the best garment steamers from Amazon. I’ve done the homework to save you precious time, and even tested one of them myself, to ensure that you get the best results.
These features are:
- Type and Size
- Material, Functions, Design
- Voltage
- Capacity
- Safety Measures
I only focused my research on the standing garment steamer, since, in my experience, it works best to remove wrinkles from all types of curtains and drapes.
The only downside is the length of the steam hose. I had to put the garment steamer on a table to reach a wrinkle on the top part of my curtain.
Luckily, most of them form towards the middle and bottom of the fabric.
Type and Size of Garment Steamers
The most commons Garment Steamers come in two sizes, handheld and standing steamers.
Handheld steamers are usually compact and travel-friendly, while standing steamers are bigger, hold more water, and can last longer without a refill.
They also use more power and are more effective in getting out tough wrinkles.
These last features make the standing steamer ideal to remove wrinkles from curtains and drapes.
Material, Functions, Design
In my experience, these next features are very important to accomplish with ease the daunting task of removing wrinkles from curtains and drapes.
1. In the control panel options, you should be able to choose the power settings, just in case you need to use less steam for delicate fabrics such as silk, linen, or velvet.
2. Auto shutoff is very useful mostly for safety and also for saving on the electricity bill.
3. The flat surface of the nozzle should be made of ceramic plates.
4. A self-cleaning function helps reduce limescale residue and maintain clean pipes and steam head interiors. Make sure you use a container because water droplets eject from the nozzle.
5. This is from experience, steam hose and power cord length. I had to move a table and put the steamer on top, just to reach a crease in the upper part of my new curtain.
Voltage
This feature is especially important if you have wrinkles on blackout curtains or any other curtains made of thick and heavy fabrics. Higher voltage means more power, hence, more steam.
Look for a garment steamer with power between 1200W—1600W. Anything less will not produce enough steam, and more power will just consume too much electricity and distilled water.
Capacity
Just remember that more steam requires bigger water tank, so you don’t have to refill every 5 minutes. And it gets a bit costly, since you should only use distilled water.
Safety Measures
The steamer can reach 300 degrees Fahrenheit, so that improper use can be quite dangerous.
The best practice is to use garment steamer gloves. They will protect you from direct steam or the heat coming thru the fabric when steaming.
Also, when removing wrinkles or disinfecting, make sure to angle the steamer away from you, especially when returning the steam hose to its place.
Never use a chemical cleaner or disinfectant with a steamer, the fumes might be harmful and it damages the appliance.
Conclusion
Garment Steamers remove wrinkles from curtains and drapes by relaxing the fibers of the fabric. It works without pressing physically onto the curtain like a steam iron, which makes it less prone to damage the fabric.
The recommended steam time is 3-10 minutes per square foot. Make sure the steamer is always held at least one inch away from the fabric when steaming.
