PRO Courses Hot Guides Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade
QUIZZES All Quizzes Hot Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Trivia Quizzes Taylor Swift Quizzes
EDIT Edit this Article
EXPLORE Tech Help ProAbout UsRandom ArticleQuizzes Request a New ArticleCommunity DashboardTrendingForums Arts and EntertainmentArtworkBooksMoviesComputers and ElectronicsComputersPhone SkillsTechnology HacksHealthMen's HealthMental HealthWomen's HealthRelationshipsDatingLoveRelationship Issues Hobbies and CraftsCraftsDrawingGamesEducation & CommunicationCommunication SkillsPersonal DevelopmentStudyingPersonal Care and StyleFashionHair CarePersonal Hygiene Quizzes Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Fun Games Arts and EntertainmentFinance and BusinessHome and GardenRelationship Quizzes Cars & Other VehiclesFood and EntertainingPersonal Care and StyleSports and Fitness Computers and ElectronicsHealthPets and AnimalsTravel Education & CommunicationHobbies and CraftsPhilosophy and ReligionWork World Family LifeHolidays and TraditionsRelationshipsYouth
LOG IN
Log in
Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. FacebookGooglewikiHow Account No account yet? Create an account
RANDOM
Home
Random
Browse Articles
TrendingNew
Quizzes & Games
All QuizzesHot
Love Quizzes
Personality Quizzes
Fun Games
Dating Simulator
Learn Something New
Forums
Courses
Happiness Hub
Explore More
Support wikiHow
About wikiHow
Log in / Sign up
Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow
Categories
Home and Garden
Housekeeping
Laundry
Ironing
How to Steam Dresses Download Article Co-authored by Susan Stocker
Last Updated: February 24, 2025 Fact Checked
Download Article
Following Best Practices
|
Using a Handheld Steamer
|
Running a Hot Shower
|
Video
|
Expert Q&A
|
Tips
|
Warnings
|Show more|Show less X
This article was co-authored by Susan Stocker. Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices. There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 126,946 times.
Instead of ironing a wrinkled dress, try steaming it! The steam makes the fibers relax, which gets rid of the wrinkles, and the heat kills odor-causing bacteria. Steaming is also a great way to refresh dresses that can't be laundered frequently. If you have a steamer, you'll need just a few minutes of time to get your dress ready-to-wear. If you don't have a steamer, try placing your dress in the bathroom while you run a hot shower—the heat can release wrinkles while you're getting ready.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 3:
Following Best Practices
Download Article
1 Use your steamer on cotton, silk, wool, and polyester dresses. Most blended fabrics can be steamed, as can most finer materials like cashmere, silk, satin, and lace, but those materials should always be tested beforehand if they haven't been steamed before.[1]XResearch source
If you have a dress that is pleated or has creases, you'll want to use an iron rather than a steamer. A steamer can't create or reinforce creases.[2]XResearch source
2 Avoid steaming dresses that have leather or suede materials. These materials are more likely to melt or warp if you apply steam to them. If the leather or suede doesn't cover a large part of the dress, you could always try covering that section with a clean towel and steaming around it. Just use caution and don't hold the steamer over the edge between leather and fabric for too long.[3]XResearch source
Similarly, any kind of plastic or waxy material shouldn't be steamed.
Advertisement
3 Test delicate materials before starting the steaming process. Steam can discolor, warp, and even shrink certain kinds of fabrics. Run the steamer along the inside of the dress in the back. Choose a small section, just 4 to 5 inches (10 to 13 cm) square. Steam that section as you normally would, and then let it dry and cool down. Check the section afterwards for signs of discoloration or shrinkage. If there aren't any, then you're good to go![4]XResearch source
If you don't think the dress should be steamed, you may want to take it to a professional cleaner.
4 Steam expensive garments through a white cloth to protect them. If you're steaming wrinkles out of a wedding dress or any other expensive garment, avoid getting steam directly onto the dress itself. Instead, use a white cloth as a barrier between the steamer and your dress. A clean white towel or handkerchief would work well for this process. Simply hold it against the dress as you steam it, moving it along with you as you go from section to section.[5]XResearch source
Store your more expensive dresses, like a wedding dress or gown, on padded hangers to protect the shoulders from getting misshapen (since a steamer can't reshape fabric).
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 3:
Using a Handheld Steamer
Download Article
1 Hang your dress on a hook in a non-cramped space. Choose a location where you'll have ample room to maneuver the steaming wand and where you'll be able to move the dress around easily. A hook on the back of a door would work well, or you could even hang it off of the shower rod in your bathroom. Always hang the dress from a hanger, and then hang the hanger from a hook (don't hang the dress directly on a hook).[6]XResearch source
Some steamers come equipped with stands. If yours does, feel free to use it!
If you aren't ready to invest in a steamer yourself, try borrowing one from a friend first. That way you can try it out and make sure it's an investment you want to make.
2 Fill up the steamer with distilled water. Non-distilled water has minerals in it, which can cause a hard, white deposit to appear in your steamer. Buy distilled water from the store, and put fresh water into your steamer every time you use it.[7]XResearch source
If you notice a build-up of minerals in your steamer (if you've been using non-distilled water), fill up the reservoir 1/3 of the way with white vinegar and 2/3 of the way with distilled water. Run the steamer until most of the liquid is gone, and then dump out the liquid that remains. Fill up the reservoir again with distilled water only, and run the steamer again to make sure all the vinegar is gone.
3 Warm up the steamer and depress the main button for 1 minute. This gets rid of the old reservoir water and purifies the nozzle so that it doesn't transmit any bacteria to your dress. Keep holding in the main button until there is a continuous stream of steam.[8]XResearch source
If you use your steamer often, it might not take the full minute to get the steamer ready. Just make sure there are no more “coughs” or bursts coming from the steamer before you actually move on to the dress.
4 Pull the dress taut and steam it section by section to eliminate wrinkles. Hold the steamer about 6 inches (15 cm) away from the dress in one hand. Use your other hand to pull the fabric of the dress taut. Work in sections from the top to bottom, and spend 1 to 2 minutes on each area, moving the steamer in long, slow, downward strokes until you see the fabric relaxing.[9]XResearch source
For example, if you have a long-sleeved dress you could start by steaming each arm, then the front chest area, the midsection, and the bottom front section. Then turn the dress over and do the top of the back, the middle of the back, and the bottom of the back.
If you place the steamer too close to the dress, you'll leave watermarks and the steam will get backed up, which could result in a burst of steam that damages the dress when you finally pull it back.[10]XResearch source
For wedding dresses made of tulle, lace, and chiffon, work in small circles rather than long strokes. Wedding dresses made of other materials should be steamed by a professional.[11]XResearch source
5 Tackle heavy wrinkles by applying steam directly to them. If there are areas that are heavily wrinkled, hold the steamer over them for 30 to 60 seconds at a time. Keep pulling the fabric taut and watch to see when the wrinkles start relaxing. Once they're gone, continue with steaming the rest of the dress.[12]XResearch source
Remember to not press the steamer directly against the fabric, even when directly treating big wrinkles. It could burn or discolor the fabric.
6 Let the dress dry completely before you put it on. After you steam the dress, leave it alone for about 10 minutes so it has time to dry and cool off. While the dress won't be wet, it will be a little damp from the steam. Putting it on right away could make the wrinkles set back in.[13]XResearch source
A great way to keep your clothes in good shape is to take a few minutes to steam your garments after you've worn them. So when you get home, take some time to steam your dress before putting it back into the closet.
Advertisement Method 3 Method 3 of 3:
Running a Hot Shower
Download Article
1 Hang your dress from the shower rod. Put your dress onto a sturdy hanger, and then hang that off of a shower rod. Position the hanger so that the dress isn't too close to the showerhead (you don't want the dress to get wet). You can do this before you take your next shower, or anytime you need to steam your dress.[14]X Expert Source Susan StockerGreen Cleaning ExpertExpert Interview
This is a great way to steam dresses and other garments when you've been traveling and don't have access to a steamer.
While using the shower is great for getting rid of minor wrinkles, it may not get out really large, heavy creases in the fabric.
2 Close any windows or doors. If the bathroom has windows or doors leading to other rooms, close as many of them as you can. This will keep the steam in the main area of the bathroom, which will help it permeate your dress a lot better.[15]XResearch source
Don't run the exhaust fan.
3 Run a hot shower for 10 minutes. Turn on the water as hot as it will go (unless you're showering, in which case just turn it to whatever temperature you prefer), and then let the water run for 10 minutes. If you aren't showering or using the bathroom, you can leave the room and do something else while your dress is getting steamed.[16]XResearch source
The hotter the water, the steamier the room will get. And the steamier the room, the better your dress will turn out.
4 Pull the dress taut in sections to remove the wrinkles. After the 10 minutes are up, go ahead and turn off the shower. Leave your dress hanging and pull each section of the dress taut to erase the wrinkles. For example, if there were wrinkles running across the skirt of your dress, pull the bottom of the skirt down so that the fabric is stretched tight. This eliminates the wrinkles because the fabric was relaxed by the steam. Pull the bottom of the dress, the sleeves, and the midsection if the dress has a waist.[17]XResearch source
You can also use your hands to smooth down the dress and look for other wrinkles you need to pull out.
5 Let the dress dry completely before you put it on. The dress may not be wet, exactly, but it might have some moisture from the steam clinging to it still. Leave it alone for 10 to 15 minutes to let it dry and cool off before you wear it.[18]XResearch source
If there are wrinkles that didn't come out, you may need to iron the material or use a steamer.
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Search Add New Question
Question How do you steam a dress while traveling? Susan Stocker Professional Cleaner Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices. Susan Stocker Professional Cleaner Expert Answer There are handheld steamers you can pack for travel if you want to steam your dresses on the road without wasting water in the shower. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question Can you steam a suit jacket the same way to remove wrinkles? Susan Stocker Professional Cleaner Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices. Susan Stocker Professional Cleaner Expert Answer Steamers are perfect for suit jackets. That's one of the best ways to remove wrinkles from a suit jacket. The shower method will also work for a suit as well. If the jacket is really wrinkly, it helps if you pat wrinkles down with a wet hand before turning the shower on or using a steamer. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement
Video
Tips
Take your time and steam slowly. You might think that waving the steamer around will make the process faster, but it won't. Be methodical as you steam your dress.[19]XResearch sourceThanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Always keep the steamer hose as straight as possible. Avoid bending over—that might cause the hose to bend. Instead, bring the fabric up to you.[20]XResearch sourceThanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
If you have a dress with lots of embroidery or embellishments on it, steam it inside out to protect the decorations. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement
Warnings
Never steam a dress while you're wearing it. You could burn yourself![21]XResearch sourceThanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Advertisement
You Might Also Like
How Do You Use a Garment Steamer? The Right Way to Steam ClothesHow to Get Wrinkles Out of Clothes Without an IronHow to Get Wrinkles Out of SilkHow toGet Wrinkles Out of LeatherHow toSteam a ShirtHow to Unwrinkle Tulle (With or Without a Steamer or Iron)How toGet Wrinkles Out of a Graduation GownHow toGet Wrinkles Out of a Wedding VeilHow toShrink a DressHow to Properly Clean and Preserve Your Wedding DressHow toStop Static on a Dress Clinging to YouHow to Clean “Dry Clean Only” ClothesHow to Get Wrinkles & Creases Out of CurtainsHow toPack a Garment Bag Advertisement
Co-authored by: Susan Stocker Professional Cleaner This article was co-authored by Susan Stocker. Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices. This article has been viewed 126,946 times. 5 votes - 100% Co-authors: 8Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 126,946 Categories: Featured Articles | Ironing In other languagesSpanish
Print
Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 126,946 times.
Did this article help you?
Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Susan Stocker Professional Cleaner Co-authors: 8Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 126,946100% of readers found this article helpful. 5 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote
Quizzes & Games
Do I Smell Bad QuizTake QuizWhat’s My Perfect Hair Care Routine?Take QuizWhat Skin Type Do I Have QuizTake QuizWhat Should I Wear Today QuizTake QuizHow to Choose Bed Sheets QuizTake QuizWhat Perfume Note Am I QuizTake Quiz
You Might Also Like
How Do You Use a Garment Steamer? The Right Way to Steam ClothesHow to Get Wrinkles Out of Clothes Without an IronHow to Get Wrinkles Out of SilkHow toGet Wrinkles Out of Leather
Trending Articles
Can We Guess If You're Single or Taken?Guess My Deepest Secret QuizWhat's My Personality Based on My Song Choices QuizWhat Emojis Mean Sex?Why Can't I Sleep Quiz5 Different Types of Butts: Find Your Shape
Watch Articles
How toImpress a Girl on a First DateWhat Are Tear Burns on TikTok and What Causes Them?How toWear a HoodieHow toChiffonadeHow toMake a Fabric RoseHow toConfront a Bully
Trending Articles
Can We Guess How Tall You Are QuizAm I Good at Flirting Quiz"Guess the Imposter" Word Game: Categories, Strategy, & How to PlayWhat Does Your Rice Purity Score Really Mean?The 55+ Best ‘Guess Who’ Questions for a Hilarious GameHow to Play the Concentrate Game (For A Little Scare!)
Quizzes & Games
What Are The Best Compression Socks For Me QuizTake QuizAm I Smart QuizTake QuizHow Disgusting Am I QuizTake QuizHow Old Do People Think I Look QuizTake QuizHow Good Are My Survival Instincts QuizTake QuizWhat Is My Style QuizTake Quiz
Categories
Home and Garden
Housekeeping
Laundry
Ironing
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
Home
About wikiHow
Experts
Jobs
Contact Us
Site Map
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Do Not Sell or Share My Info
Not Selling Info
Contribute
Follow Us
×
wikiHow Tech Help Pro:
Develop the tech skills you need for work and life
Download Article Co-authored by Susan Stocker 
Advertisement 
Co-authored by: Susan Stocker Professional Cleaner This article was co-authored by Susan Stocker. Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices. This article has been viewed 126,946 times. 5 votes - 100% Co-authors: 8 Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 126,946 Categories: Featured Articles | Ironing In other languagesSpanish 
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz 
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz 
681 
1 Use your steamer on cotton, silk, wool, and polyester dresses. Most blended fabrics can be steamed, as can most finer materials like cashmere, silk, satin, and lace, but those materials should always be tested beforehand if they haven't been steamed before.[1] 
2 Avoid steaming dresses that have leather or suede materials. These materials are more likely to melt or warp if you apply steam to them. If the leather or suede doesn't cover a large part of the dress, you could always try covering that section with a clean towel and steaming around it. Just use caution and don't hold the steamer over the edge between leather and fabric for too long.[3] 
3 Test delicate materials before starting the steaming process. Steam can discolor, warp, and even shrink certain kinds of fabrics. Run the steamer along the inside of the dress in the back. Choose a small section, just 4 to 5 inches (10 to 13 cm) square. Steam that section as you normally would, and then let it dry and cool down. Check the section afterwards for signs of discoloration or shrinkage. If there aren't any, then you're good to go![4] 
4 Steam expensive garments through a white cloth to protect them. If you're steaming wrinkles out of a wedding dress or any other expensive garment, avoid getting steam directly onto the dress itself. Instead, use a white cloth as a barrier between the steamer and your dress. A clean white towel or handkerchief would work well for this process. Simply hold it against the dress as you steam it, moving it along with you as you go from section to section.[5] 
1 Hang your dress on a hook in a non-cramped space. Choose a location where you'll have ample room to maneuver the steaming wand and where you'll be able to move the dress around easily. A hook on the back of a door would work well, or you could even hang it off of the shower rod in your bathroom. Always hang the dress from a hanger, and then hang the hanger from a hook (don't hang the dress directly on a hook).[6] 
2 Fill up the steamer with distilled water. Non-distilled water has minerals in it, which can cause a hard, white deposit to appear in your steamer. Buy distilled water from the store, and put fresh water into your steamer every time you use it.[7] 
3 Warm up the steamer and depress the main button for 1 minute. This gets rid of the old reservoir water and purifies the nozzle so that it doesn't transmit any bacteria to your dress. Keep holding in the main button until there is a continuous stream of steam.[8] 
4 Pull the dress taut and steam it section by section to eliminate wrinkles. Hold the steamer about 6 inches (15 cm) away from the dress in one hand. Use your other hand to pull the fabric of the dress taut. Work in sections from the top to bottom, and spend 1 to 2 minutes on each area, moving the steamer in long, slow, downward strokes until you see the fabric relaxing.[9] 
5 Tackle heavy wrinkles by applying steam directly to them. If there are areas that are heavily wrinkled, hold the steamer over them for 30 to 60 seconds at a time. Keep pulling the fabric taut and watch to see when the wrinkles start relaxing. Once they're gone, continue with steaming the rest of the dress.[12] 
6 Let the dress dry completely before you put it on. After you steam the dress, leave it alone for about 10 minutes so it has time to dry and cool off. While the dress won't be wet, it will be a little damp from the steam. Putting it on right away could make the wrinkles set back in.[13] 
1 Hang your dress from the shower rod. Put your dress onto a sturdy hanger, and then hang that off of a shower rod. Position the hanger so that the dress isn't too close to the showerhead (you don't want the dress to get wet). You can do this before you take your next shower, or anytime you need to steam your dress.[14] 
2 Close any windows or doors. If the bathroom has windows or doors leading to other rooms, close as many of them as you can. This will keep the steam in the main area of the bathroom, which will help it permeate your dress a lot better.[15] 
3 Run a hot shower for 10 minutes. Turn on the water as hot as it will go (unless you're showering, in which case just turn it to whatever temperature you prefer), and then let the water run for 10 minutes. If you aren't showering or using the bathroom, you can leave the room and do something else while your dress is getting steamed.[16] 
4 Pull the dress taut in sections to remove the wrinkles. After the 10 minutes are up, go ahead and turn off the shower. Leave your dress hanging and pull each section of the dress taut to erase the wrinkles. For example, if there were wrinkles running across the skirt of your dress, pull the bottom of the skirt down so that the fabric is stretched tight. This eliminates the wrinkles because the fabric was relaxed by the steam. Pull the bottom of the dress, the sleeves, and the midsection if the dress has a waist.[17] 
5 Let the dress dry completely before you put it on. The dress may not be wet, exactly, but it might have some moisture from the steam clinging to it still. Leave it alone for 10 to 15 minutes to let it dry and cool off before you wear it.[18] 
Susan Stocker Professional Cleaner Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.