How to Use a Steamer on Clothes: What a Garment Steamer Is and Its Uses

How to Use a Steamer on Clothes: What a Garment Steamer Is and Its Uses

By the InstaCuppa Editorial Team · Last updated: 4 November 2026 · 10 min read

You just got a garment steamer. Or you've had one for months and are not sure you're using it right. Either way, this guide walks you through everything — from your first use to tips for every fabric type.

How Do You Use a Steamer on Clothes?

A garment steamer is also sold as a clothes steamer, a fabric steamer or a cloth steamer. All four names describe the same handheld appliance: a small boiler that turns water into steam and pushes it through a nozzle you hold near hanging clothes. It is not the same thing as a food steamer or a face steamer, even though Indian shops list all three under the single word "steamer".

Hinglish: Steamer kaise use kare? Garment steamer ek handheld machine hai jo paani ko steam banakar kapde par daalti hai. Kapda hanger par latka dijiye, steam head ko kapde se 2-3 cm door rakhiye, aur upar se neeche slow stroke mein chalaiye. Press karne ki zaroorat nahi hai. (How do you use a steamer? A garment steamer is a handheld machine that turns water into steam and directs it at hanging clothes. Hang the cloth, keep the head 2 to 3 cm away and move it down in slow strokes.)

What Is a Garment Steamer? (Garment Steamer Kya Hota Hai)

Garment steamer uses: A garment steamer is used to remove wrinkles from hanging clothes such as shirts, kurtas, sarees, dresses and trousers. A garment steamer is also used to refresh clothes between washes and to smooth curtains while they hang. Philips says its handheld steamer is a good choice for delicate fabrics like silk, and that steaming clothes on a hanger means you need no ironing board.

Garment steamer vs steam iron: A steam iron has a hot metal plate that you press on cloth laid flat on a board. A garment steamer works mostly on clothes that hang. Many people keep both: the steamer for quick daily touch-ups, the iron for sharp creases. Read more in Steam Iron vs Garment Steamer.

Hinglish: Garment steamer kya hota hai? Garment steamer ek electric machine hai jo paani ko garam karke steam banati hai. Yeh steam hanger par latke kapdon ki silvatein (wrinkles) hata deti hai. Iska use shirt, kurta, saree aur parde (curtains) ke liye hota hai. (What is a garment steamer? A garment steamer is an electric machine that heats water into steam. The steam removes wrinkles from clothes on a hanger. People use it for shirts, kurtas, sarees and curtains.)

हिंदी में: स्टीमर क्या होता है? गारमेंट स्टीमर बिजली से चलने वाली एक मशीन है जो पानी को भाप में बदलती है। यह भाप हैंगर पर टंगे कपड़ों की सिलवटें हटाती है। (What is a steamer? A garment steamer is an electric machine that turns water into steam. The steam removes wrinkles from clothes on a hanger.)

For the full background, see What Is a Garment Steamer? Everything You Need to Know, How a Garment Steamer Works and 10 Uses of a Garment Steamer Beyond Clothes.

How Do You Use a Garment Steamer for the First Time?

Borosil advises waiting about 60 more seconds after you see the first steam, so the steamer is fully hot before it touches your clothes.

Step-by-Step: How to Steam a Garment

What Technique Gets the Wrinkles Out Fastest?

• Work in sections: Do the back first, then front, then sleeves. Do not jump around.
• Double-pass stubborn wrinkles: If a wrinkle does not go on the first pass, hold the steamer still for 3–4 seconds, then move on.
• Use a brush attachment on velvet, heavy cotton and thick fabrics, if your steamer has one. Philips says its brush opens the fabric fibres so the steam gets in better, which helps on jackets and coats.
• For collars: Lay the collar flat over your fingers and steam from the inside face first, then the outside.
• For trouser creases: If your steamer has a crease clip, use it and steam along the fold line from hip to hem.

Which Steam Setting Should You Use for Each Fabric?

What Mistakes Should You Avoid When Steaming?

• Touching a plain nozzle to delicate fabric: This can leave water marks. Keep a 2–3 cm gap unless your manual says the head can touch.
• Steaming folded clothes: Always hang garments before steaming — steam works with gravity.
• Not pulling the fabric taut: Loose fabric wrinkles more during steaming.
• Leaving water in the tank: Always empty the tank after use and before you store the steamer. This helps prevent scale.
• Steaming too fast: Go slowly — fast passes do not give steam time to penetrate.

What Should You Do After Steaming?

• Let clothes hang for 2 minutes before wearing — they need to cool and dry slightly
• Do not fold immediately after steaming — wait a few minutes until the cloth is dry
• Empty the water tank after every use
• Store the steamer folded in a clean, dry place

What Do Beginners Get Wrong on Their First Few Tries?

New garment steamer users often make these four mistakes:

1. Starting before full heat: The ready light can take 30 seconds to 1 minute, based on the model. Wait for it. If you start too early, the steamer spits lukewarm water instead of steam.
2. Holding too close: Keep the nozzle 2 to 3 centimetres from the fabric. On delicate cloth, pressing a plain nozzle against it can cause water marks.
3. Changing direction all the time: Borosil advises starting at the top and working down while you pull the cloth taut from below. Some stand steamer manuals, like Singer, start at the bottom instead. Pick the way your manual shows and keep to it.
4. Steaming dirty clothes: Steam does not clean stains. Heat can set some stains into the fabric. Steam clean clothes only.

How Much Water Does Each Garment Need?

Water use depends on how strong the steam is and how long you steam. Philips lists continuous steam of up to 24 grams a minute for its 1300 W handheld and up to 28 grams a minute for a 1500 W model. One gram of water is about one millilitre. So at full steam, a handheld steamer uses roughly 25 ml of water a minute. Here is what that means for common clothes, with example times (yours will vary):

• Cotton shirt: if it takes 2 to 3 minutes, about 50 to 75 ml
• Kurta (cotton or silk blend): if it takes 3 to 4 minutes, about 75 to 100 ml
• Saree: if it takes 5 to 8 minutes, about 125 to 200 ml
• Blazer or coat: if it takes 4 to 5 minutes, about 100 to 125 ml
• Curtain panel: if it takes 6 to 10 minutes, about 150 to 250 ml

Tank size decides how often you refill. The Philips Steam&Go has a 70 ml tank, so it gives about 3 minutes of full steam per fill. To work out your own steamer, divide its tank size in ml by 25. That is roughly how many minutes of full steam one fill gives you. If you steam in short bursts, the water lasts longer.

Can You Add Essential Oils or Fabric Softener to the Water?

This is one of the most common questions, and the answer is: never add anything except water.

Steamer makers say the same thing. The Singer garment steamer manual says: "Never use water with additives, including scents, starches, or fabric conditioners, as they can cause deposits to form in the steamer that can stain your clothing." The same manual says no detergent can be added to the water tank.

If you want scented clothes, keep the scent outside the steamer. A scented sachet in the wardrobe works. Oil can stain cloth, so never put oil on the garment itself.

How Do You Practise in Your First Week?

If you just bought a garment steamer, here is a 7-day practice plan to build confidence:

• Day 1: Practice on an old cotton t-shirt. Learn the motion, find the right distance (2-3 cm), and get comfortable holding the steamer vertically.
• Day 2: Steam a cotton shirt or kurta. Focus on the collar, cuffs, and front placket. These are the high-visibility areas.
• Day 3: Try a blended-fabric garment (polyester-cotton mix). Notice how it wrinkle-releases faster than pure cotton.
• Day 4: Steam a pair of trousers. Hang them from the waistband and work down each leg. If your steamer has a crease clip, use it for a pressed look.
• Day 5: If you own silk or chiffon, test on a hidden area first. Then steam from 5 cm distance with light, quick passes.
• Day 6: Try a curtain or bed sheet. This teaches you to steam large surface areas efficiently.
• Day 7: Steam your outfit for the week and time yourself. Compare it with day 2. Most people get faster with practice.

Sources

• Bureau of Indian Standards, IS 10500:2012, Drinking Water — Specification: total hardness as CaCO₃, acceptable limit 200 mg/litre, permissible limit in the absence of an alternate source 600 mg/litre (test method IS 3025 Part 21).
• World Health Organization, Burns fact sheet: thermal burns may result from hot liquids (scalds); children are particularly at risk of scalds.
• Borosil, How to use a garment steamer properly: hang the garment and steam from the top down, wait about 60 seconds after the first steam, use purified or distilled water, keep the fabric taut, nozzle on cotton, wool and synthetics but at least 1 inch from delicates, do not steam suede, leather or waxed jackets.
• Philips, Steam&Go handheld garment steamer GC362 leaflet: 1300 W, continuous steam up to 24 g/min, 70 ml tank, ready in under 1 minute, heated plate can be pressed against clothing, brush opens fabric fibres.
• Philips, Handheld garment steamer GC440/46 leaflet: 1500 W, continuous steam up to 28 g/min, 200 ml tank, ready to use in 1 minute.
• Singer, SWC.02E garment steamer instruction manual: ready in 45 seconds, distilled or de-mineralised water recommended, no scents, starches or fabric conditioners in the water, never steam a garment while it is being worn.
• Product specification: InstaCuppa Foldable Garment Steamer — 1800 W, 30-second preheat, foldable, lint remover brush and fabric heat protection cover, Rs 1,999.