Description
Product Description
The Steamfast SF-520 Full-size Fabric Steamer provides natural garment care via steam that penetrates deep into fabrics and relaxes fibers — releasing wrinkles and freshening clothes faster than ironing. Gentle enough for your most delicate fabrics, yet powerful enough for such heavy fabrics as drapes and upholstery. It heats the water in under a minute and runs continuously for over an hour. The SF-520 includes a foldable hanger, fabric brush, insulated hose, telescoping pole and convenient cord wrap.
From the Manufacturer
IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL DISCLAIMER: This item is built to meet U.S. voltage requirements and may not function properly when used in conjunction with external devices that alter or convert voltage or frequency of electricity. Improper use or shipping the product outside the U.S. will void all warranties.
Scott F. –
However, the base is too light and it tips over if you’re not watching it while you’re steaming clothing. I’ve worked around this issue by hanging a couple of things on the back of the hook which holds the cloths being steamed. This seems to mostly fix the issue. Additionally, the tube, which is very nice and well made is very inflexible and that makes it a bit challenging to use the steamer. Not insurmountable, but annoying.
I’m keeping it as I only use it occasionally and I can live with the design flaws for the price, which was quite a bit cheaper than other models. Though, I wouldn’t buy it again for the same reasons.
Ron –
**Good points**
1) The water heats up to steam level quickly. I rarely wait more than 60 seconds, or so, for steam build up.
2) The steam is a steady adequate flow once going. It rarely spurts out hot water (until other home steamers I’ve tried).
3) Once turned off the water cools down relatively quickly and thus the steam flow from the “sitting” unit stops shortly after power off.
4) The base is light weight but heavy enough that my clothes don’t cause it to tip when they are hanging from the fully extended pole. Unless I do something stupid like hang way too many clothes off the pole for some reason (did that once, don’t know why, hah).
5) I have yet to see any significant mineral build up. Though arguably I only use the steamer for a few minutes 2-3 times a week.
**General points (not bad but not spectacular either)**
1) The hose, while perfectly long enough for articles hanging from the extended pole, will not reach the top of hanging high level drapes. As this is a floor model and not designed to be lifted that makes steaming said drapes difficult without first taking them down. Nothing horrible, just thought the hose length should be noted.
2) This item works well for a home steamer. The “home” moniker should be noted, as it does not produce powerful industrial steam flow. And as such will not replace an iron for very thick/stubborn fabrics (even when using the included backing pad).
**Bad points**
1) nothing negative has come up yet.
Overall, I have been very pleased with this home steamer and found it to be an excellent purchase. It is a well priced (maybe even cheap) unit that still produces good results with no noted negatives so far.
Alexis Northrop –
Yona Rappaport –
My steamer came about a month ago and I’ve used it a handful of times for about 40 min to an hour every time. I am very pleased with the construction, all of the pieces and parts look well made and are fully functional. The foam pad was squished pretty badly in the box but it popped back to life in about 5 days. I must admit, I the steam definitely helps the thrift store stank but does not remove it completely, it almost seems to go away and then once the garment is cool again it comes back very slightly.
I did have concerns before making my purchase, one review said that the steamer squirts hot water randomly and could wet the garment or burn the operator. Within about 10 minutes of using the steamer I figured out what happens. With the buildup of steam and condensation coating the rubber tube after using the steamer for a few minutes, this water will travel to the lowest point and sit there. The continuous pressure from the steam still being made by the machine will push the hot water out the hose with enough buildup. To remedy the situation, one just needs to make the hose straight again every few minutes by lifting the steam head high up, allowing the water buildup to drop back down into the tank. The steamer makes a noise before it shoots water out so it’s easy to anticipate. SCIENCE.
As far as taking wrinkles out of fabric, it works great. I would recommend this for anyone who has regular household needs. I really only need to use it about twice a week for maybe an hour. Although it would work for a shop or for someone with higher volume of steaming to do, the item was clearly designed for clothing, the range of motion allowed by the hose and extension cord are not extensive- you really can’t hang something longer than the extendo-holdy pole.
Overall, a great product, the only thing I might change about it is weighting the base more because as you steam, your tank becomes lighter and lighter and very thick heavy fabrics may not be held up by it anymore.