My Handheld Steamer's Lost Its Steam

I'm not a huge fan of ironing. Most of my clothes are made of fabrics that don't need it, but there are those occasional cotton shirts and dresses that just won't look right unless I iron them. That's where my trusty handheld steamer comes in - it's been a lifesaver, but it's also been a reminder that sometimes, it's time to upgrade.

I've had this steamer for about five years now, and while it still works, I find myself thinking, 'I really should get a new one.' The prices for this model vary depending on the store, but I bought it for around $2500 at M-Video. Nowadays, you can find it online for around $3000.

The packaging was top-notch, with a comprehensive manual in multiple languages and a bonus accessory that I'm still not sure what to do with.

The steamer itself looks nice - the white design goes well with my dark blue and green decor. It's not small, either - it's about the same size as a big hair dryer. One thing that caught me off guard was how small the water reservoir is. But more on that later. The cord is decent length and feels sturdy.

So, how do you use it? It's pretty straightforward:

Fill it up with distilled water - it'll last longer. Press the button and wait a few seconds. Now you're ready to steam - hold it close to the fabric and gently stretch it out. After you're done, make sure to pour out any remaining water.

I usually steam my shirts, my son's shirts, cotton dresses, delicate fabrics, curtains after washing, and kids' sweaters.

Shirts are the toughest - I need about 2 reservoirs to get them looking decent, but it's still faster than hauling out the ironing board. If you hold the steam button down for too long, the steamer starts spitting water - that's one of the downsides that really gets to me.

Cotton dresses are a bit better - I usually need about half to three-quarters of a reservoir per item.

Delicate fabrics are a breeze - I haven't ruined any clothes yet, but if there are water stains, steaming is always a risk, and I'm always waiting for that dreaded water spit.

Curtains are a pain to steam, but it's still faster than ironing them.

Kids' clothes are the easiest - one reservoir usually does the trick, and it's great for those hard-to-reach areas.

Here are the good things about it:

It's compact, so it's easy to store. It's super easy to use and quick. It's convenient to take on the go. It's great with delicate fabrics.

And here are the not-so-good things:

It's hard to steam wrinkled natural fabrics. The water reservoir is way too small - if you need to steam more than three items, it's a real hassle. It spits water if you hold the steam button down for too long.

Here's a before-and-after example:

And here's the result:

I still use it sometimes, but every time I do, I swear I'm going to replace it. Despite still working great after all these years, it's just not worth the hassle anymore. Not recommended.