Why Do You Need Steam in Your Laundry?
When looking for a new washer and dryer, you will probably come across different cycles and features you've never seen before. A perfect example of this is steam. Steam is now available on select washers and dryers and there are a ton of benefits to purchasing a unit with access to steam.
Steam Benefits in Washers:
One of the best examples on how steam in the washer works is thinking of it like a facial. If you've had a facial in the past, one of the first things estheticians will do is put steam on your face. This helps open up the pores on your face so when the treatment starts, the products and procedures will be able to work into your skin better. Now, imagine this being done in your washing machine. The steam feature will help safely open up the fibers of the clothes to better assist in loosening and releasing the stain that has been set into the material. This works great with stains like grass, dirt, blood and even red wine. It will also help to activate and work with the pre-stain remover that may have been added to help release the stain.
Steam Benefits in Dryers:
The most obvious benefit of steam in your dryer is reducing and relaxing wrinkles. When you were little, you probably remember your mom taking your uniform and putting a damp washcloth in the dryer to help relax the wrinkles in your clothes before school. Now, this can be done by just the push of a button. Steam in your dryer helps to relax the wrinkles. This is a great feature to utilize if the load of clothing or even bedding has been sitting in the dryer for too long. You can also use the steam cycle with your bed sheets. There is nothing worse than taking your fitted sheets out of the dryer, having them be tangled together and seeing the wrinkles when you put it on the mattress. If you're like us, you probably have spent so much time pressing the wrinkles out. With steam, all you have to do is steam the sheets for 10 minutes!
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/26YDzDjjWD8" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Another benefit to having steam in your drying is reducing odor. Steam can help refresh a garment without having to go through an entire wash cycle. This is great for when you're out and go into a restaurant, bar or casino that has an odor. Even if you never walked through the “smoking section,” the odor still tends to stick to your clothes. To eliminate this odor, now, when you get home all you have to do is throw the article of clothing in the dryer for a quick refresh. Say hello to steam and goodbye to dryer sheets! Using the steam setting will help reduce static cling that can occur during a traditional dryer cycle.
We know what your probably thinking, how do I get water in my dryer? Do I have to have specific plumbing done? The answer is simple, NO!!! There is an additional hose, called in simple terms a “Y” hose that is connected from your washer to your dryer. The hose is typically an additional cost, but to take advantage of the benefits that steam has to offer, it's totally worth it!
Brands like LG, GE, Maytag, Whirlpool, Electrolux and more offer steam in both the washer and dryer.
Learn more about GE’s PowerSteam:
Visit one of Don's Appliances 10 locations to see what more on steam washers and dryers!