Do Steam Irons Leave Stains?

Using a Steam Iron

A steam iron may or may not have to come in contact with the fabric your are ironing. Some of them remove wrinkles by spraying steam at a hanging garment; others are a regular iron that has a button to include steam after you add water to the iron. Steam has long been a method for removing wrinkles and locking in creases, but on some fabrics, steam is not a good choice.

Why Wouldn't Steam Be Good For Some Fabrics?

Steam ironing can be bad for fabrics such as silk and satins. It can leave water stains on the fabric. This includes many curtains and fine garments. Any items that requires dry cleaning should not be ironed with a steam iron.

Other Ways Steam Irons Can Stain Fabrics

Steam is created by heating water. Irons themselves are hot, and when you press a hot plate against the fabric and then add steam to it, you can transfer any buildup on the iron plate to the fabric. Buildup comes from starch and static-free sprays, and even from the fabric softener you use on your clothing. So steam irons can definitely stain even your garments that aren't delicate or don't require special cleaning. Keeping your iron plate clean by wiping it with vinegar can help eliminate the staining that can be caused by steam ironing.