1. Comparative Advantage: Studies show that frequent pressing of clothes with a flat iron can easily damage the fabric, causing the fibers to stiffen and age.
A garment steamer, on the other hand, irons clothes while they are hanging naturally. The combined effect of the garment's own weight and high-temperature steam (above 100 degrees Celsius) avoids direct damage to the fabric, and allows for quick, convenient, and easy ironing, leaving clothes shiny and looking new, maintaining their optimal shape.
2. Usage Advantage: When using a garment steamer, the part in contact with the clothes (the steam nozzle) is far from the steam source. The dirt generated by the hot water used is not easily sprayed onto the clothes like with a flat iron or steam brush; instead, it remains completely trapped in the dirt storage chamber at the bottom of the heating element (located at the very bottom of the garment steamer's heating element).
Furthermore, the high-temperature steam also has the functions of dust removal, sterilization, and disinfection.
3. Convenience Advantage: Garment steamers typically produce steam within 30 seconds, making them easy to handle and preventing scalding. Flat irons, on the other hand, require waiting for the water to boil completely, are slower, and need to be placed upright between uses, which is more cumbersome.
4. Ease of Operation Advantage: Garment steamers are simple to operate. Just plug them in, turn them on, and adjust the temperature knob to the desired setting. They will never scald clothes, making them suitable for all ages and a must-have for modern homes. Flat irons, as everyone knows, can easily damage clothes if not handled carefully.
Furthermore, some garment steamers feature 6 or even 9 temperature settings, suitable for various fabrics such as silk, cotton, linen, and wool, making ironing a breeze.
5. Capacity Advantage: A garment steamer that can iron more than 50 garments on a single fill can last a modern family for over a week. Flat irons, however, have a smaller capacity and require frequent refills.