steam cleaning dress shirts/pants

Steaming doesn't clean, it only removes wrinkles. Steaming doesn't work well on dress shirts, but works fine on pants. The search function in the forum is your friend.

from what I've heard steam cleaners are best for suits ... not that great for shirts

Search for "kent clothes brush" and "jiffy esteam". Instead of dry cleaning your pants, you can brush them with the brush, then steam the wrinkles, then clean them only when soiled. http://www.styleforum.net/showthread...89#post1190689 I'm afraid you'll have to wash your shirts yourself or take them to a professional laundry like everyone else. EDIT: steaming doesn't clean, but it may "freshen" garments a little bit.

What reeks of smoke, the shirt or the pants?

Follow the care instructions on the clothes.

If airing out the pants in the breeze doesn't do the trick I'm afraid you'll have to have them professionally dry cleaned.

The best way to clean a suit is brushing with a Kent double-sided brush. Dry cleaning is overrated and overkill and should only be used for spot-cleaning stains. Make sure if you have a stain that the dry cleaner only spot cleans and does not press afterwards unless it is hand-pressed, which I understand is rare. Here in Japan, I have my suits hand-pressed. Even if you have a stain, don't panic at first Try dabbing it with a little water and gently brushing with the nap or pile if a light stain, with and against the nap/pile if deeper. Be sensitive to how delicate the cloth is. Steaming will not remove dirt from suits. That is for regularly brushing after wear. However, steaming will kill bacteria upon contact. But for shirts, the best info for that is here: http://www.customshirt1.com/ASK/laund01.html I think I am lucky with my cleaner here in Japan: no starch, no bleach, no softener, and my shirts are hand-pressed.

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