Steam Washers & Dryers
Lately we have been seeing steam as a function in more and more washers and dryers. These models always seem to cost more than their non-steam counterparts. So just what does the steam do and is it really better?
Traditional washers clean your clothes by using an agitator. This essentially beats the dirt out or your clothes to get them clean. This method of cleaning clothes doesn’t allow for very large loads and the larger the load, the less clean your clothes become.
Front load washers are nothing new. They have been around for as long as washing machines have been around. The advantage here is that a front loading washer has no agitator. This means you can wash larger loads than with a top loading washer. Additionally instead of beating the clothes with the agitator, the clothes are washed much like you would with your hands, by rotating the clothes in and out of the soapy water. This method also promotes the longevity of your clothes and linens.
With the addition of steam to a washer the machine can freshen up clothes without actually washing them. This won’t clean the garment, but rather remove any odors that you may have picked up last night while clubbing. Steam can also be used to remove allergens from your clothing such as dust mites and pet dander. Steam can also be used to remove stains that would otherwise be stuck on your clothes by allowing the steam to pass through your clothes, taking the stain with it.
Steam features can also be found on dryers too. A dryer with steam will be able to steam your clothes, essentially eliminating the need to iron them. Simply put your wrinkled shirt in the dryer and start the steam cycle. You will have a wrinkle free shirt in no time.
It is important to note that while a washer and dryer combo with steam will have a large capacity, using the steam feature usually requires you to use smaller loads than normal. It is generally not possible to use the washer at capacity and expect good results with the steam feature. Of course if you don’t plan on using steam on a particular load it is perfectly fine to fill the washer to capacity.
