How it Works

• Steam dryers work by introducing steam into the clothing to promote drying and also to help remove odors and wrinkles. Steam dryers come in two basic configurations: wet steam and dry steam. Wet steam is generated by misting water into the drying drum while the dryer increases the temperature to cause the water to switch properties from a liquid to gas, or steam. You will typically find this type of steam drying in basic steam dryer models. Dry steam is generated through an internal steam generator, which heats water to the point of vaporization and releases the super-heated steam into the drying drum. This type of steam dryer is typically found in more expensive models.
  
  

Benefits

• One of the benefits of a steam dryer is its ability to refresh clothing and remove wrinkles. Because steam acts like a quick wash to already-dry clothing, it's able to remove odor-causing particles without having to completely drench the laundry item. Due to the heat of steam, it can sterilize clothing, which is beneficial when you or your children are sick as you can remove germs from laundry items to help prevent the spread of sickness-causing bacteria. Steam dryers are also notorious for removing wrinkles without having to iron. As the steam is introduced to clothing, it works to relax wrinkled fabrics, thus reducing or eliminating the need to iron.
  
  

Drawbacks

• One the disadvantages of a steam dryer is the accumulation of water vapor in the drying drum if the steam isn't heated properly. While this drawback is circumstantial according to the type of dryer you own, if the steam dryer doesn't continually heat water, it will not evaporate. This is more common in wet steam dryers than dry, as water is injected into the drying drum before it's evaporated.
  
  

Price

• As of 2011, steam dryers are typically more expensive than non-steam dryers. One of the main reasons why a steam dryer costs more is because of the technologies used to create steam. Even within steam dryers, the overall price is based on how the steam is generated. Wet steam dryers cost slightly less than dry steam dryers because in wet steam appliances there's no steam generator. For example, the Whirlpool WGD7800XW steam dryer costs an average of $1,280, while the Whirlpool WED7300XW non-steam dryer costs $830.