Steam suits in Bathroom?

[dieselman89]

I wear my suits once a week and b/c I work in a restaurant they can be pretty smelly after work. I am just curious as to what y'all would suggest for getting out the smells. Obviously you can use the approach of air-drying it outside, spraying with Febreeze or another freshener. I have been putting the suit in my bathroom while I shower. Then when the steam builds up I will run the fan. Any thoughts about this procedure?

 

[GBR]

That will only remove creases but ventilating them outside for the smells.

 

[westinghouse]

Or you could spend $150 on a Jiffy-2000 Steamer and do it the right way.

 

[bleachboy]

If you're working in a restaurant, you're probably getting a lot of grease in the fibers. Your only option, I think, is really going to be frequent dry cleaning. Moths are gonna eat 'em up, too.

 

[dieselman89]

Originally Posted by bleachboy

If you're working in a restaurant, you're probably getting a lot of grease in the fibers. Your only option, I think, is really going to be frequent dry cleaning. Moths are gonna eat 'em up, too.

So do you think I should keep the stuff in my closet that turns moths away? I am not spending $150 on a steamer. That's insane!

 

[dieselman89]

Originally Posted by westinghouse

Or you could spend $150 on a Jiffy-2000 Steamer and do it the right way.

Wouldn't this destroy the fabric over time? Do you really think this is a good investment. Do you have one yourself?

 

[js4design]

Originally Posted by dieselman89

So do you think I should keep the stuff in my closet that turns moths away? I am not spending $150 on a steamer. That's insane!

more insane than replacing suits multiple times a year? a steamer is offset by dry cleaning savings quickly.

 

[bleachboy]

Originally Posted by js4design

more insane than replacing suits multiple times a year? a steamer is offset by dry cleaning savings quickly.

I agree. Plus you only have to buy the steamer once and it is good for all sorts of stuff. I have even used mine to steam drapes and stuff.

I'm not an expert, but I believe steaming kills moth larvae too.

 

[dieselman89]

Originally Posted by bleachboy

I agree. Plus you only have to buy the steamer once and it is good for all sorts of stuff. I have even used mine to steam drapes and stuff.

I'm not an expert, but I believe steaming kills moth larvae too.

Does it just remove creases? Or does it also help remove the smell? This may actually be a good investment when I splruge on my next item b/c I have four quality suits that I rotate to wear 4 days a week.

 

[bleachboy]

Originally Posted by dieselman89

Does it just remove creases? Or does it also help remove the smell? This may actually be a good investment when I splruge on my next item b/c I have four quality suits that I rotate to wear 4 days a week.

Well, my clothes don't really smell, so I can't answer to that. I do know that steam is by definition hotter than boiling water, so at the very least it ought to kill bacteria or whatever, which seems like it ought to also prevent odors. Of course, if the cloth is impregnated with airborne vaporized bacon grease or something, I dunno.

 

[1up2down]

Working in a restaurant is tough on clothes for sure. Especially if you spend time in the kitchen.

I worked at a restaurant quite a while a go. I had what I'll call, "Work Clothes," that I only wore while working at the restaurant. I would never have wore one of my other suits to work...

Depending what your position is at the restaurant is a factor as well. If I were a waiter/server, I would do my best to have pants that I could wash. If you are in a position that requires you to wear the normal "suit," or if the establishment requires it, it seems to be that your compensation should be equal to the tasks (and clothes you need to wear,) to fulfill them.

A good washing is really the only way you will get clothes clean and odor free; and even this is limited. The steaming may work for a while, but time IS going to catch up and a point will be reached that it becomes ineffective.

Your clothes are just going to have a shorter life. That's all there is too it..

 

[dieselman89]

Originally Posted by 1up2down

Working in a restaurant is tough on clothes for sure. Especially if you spend time in the kitchen.

I worked at a restaurant quite a while a go. I had what I'll call, "Work Clothes," that I only wore while working at the restaurant. I would never have wore one of my other suits to work...

Depending what your position is at the restaurant is a factor as well. If I were a waiter/server, I would do my best to have pants that I could wash. If you are in a position that requires you to wear the normal "suit," or if the establishment requires it, it seems to be that your compensation should be equal to the tasks (and clothes you need to wear,) to fulfill them.

A good washing is really the only way you will get clothes clean and odor free; and even this is limited. The steaming may work for a while, but time IS going to catch up and a point will be reached that it becomes ineffective.

Your clothes are just going to have a shorter life. That's all there is too it..

Good point. Well my position requires that I wear a suit and tie to work everyday. And I am not in the position to buy suits just to sit in my closet and look good. The only reason I buy suits is for work.

 

[69clyde]

Originally Posted by dieselman89

So do you think I should keep the stuff in my closet that turns moths away? I am not spending $150 on a steamer. That's insane!
Insane? Why? Too low end. I own a Rowenta iron I paid $200.00 for. Your clothes are an investment, so invest in your clothes.

 

[DerekS]

Originally Posted by dieselman89

Wouldn't this destroy the fabric over time? Do you really think this is a good investment. Do you have one yourself?

great investment if you like clean suits. Wont destroy it anymore than the grim thats building up on the suit from wearing it in a restaurant everyday.

 

[dieselman89]

So the overall consensus is that the steamer will do more good than bad for the suit? How often do you steam your suits then? I may purchase this somewhere down the line...