This article will describe the best maintenance procedures for your garment steamer--these tips will maintain your steamers maximum performance.
You will want to perform this maintenance about every three to six months depending on your supply of water. If your garment steamer is severely clogged, it will require that it be disassembled in order to prolong the life of the steamer.
The best place to take your garment steamer to be completely disassembled is to a steamer service technician.
1. Remove the hose attachment from the unit. Be sure to remove any excess water from your garment steamer.
2. The hose attachment could be blocked by sediment build-up--use a water hose to clean inside the hose. This should loosen and remove any build-up that may have occurred within the hose.
3. The internal parts of the steamer should be cleaned with an acid based solution designed for these type of units. This cleaner will remove the hard water deposits as well as the sediment build-up.
4. Fill the steamer with a gallon of water and add at least ten ounces garment cleaner. Turn the steamer on to preheat and allow water and solution to warm.
5. Once the preheat cycle is complete, turn the unit off . Allow the water and cleaning solution to remain in the steamer for about two to three hours. Make sure that you do not steam while the solution is inside as this could damage the unit.
6. Remove the cleaning solution from the garment steamer. Simply tip and pour the solution out where the hose was originally attached.
7. rinse thoroughly with fresh water a few times.
8. If discolored water or residue continues to come from the steamer, the procedure may need to be repeated.
9. Contact a steamer technician for further questions.