Dryers That Can Steam and Dry-Clean Clothes

Benefits

• One of the most common reasons people choose a dryer with a steam setting is to reduce wrinkles quickly and efficiently without ironing. Dryers with a steam or dry-clean setting can also remove allergy-causing contaminants in clothing, sanitize clothes and remove stains and odors.

Brands

• Almost all of the major appliance manufacturers offer dryers with a steam or dry-clean setting, as well as some of the lesser-known makers. Most of these dryers come paired with a front-loading washing machine that may also have steam capabilities. Steam dryers cost considerably more than traditional dryers -- between $1,100 and $1,998, as of 2011, depending on manufacturer, model and features.

Features

• Most steam dryers must be connected to the washing machine faucet to access water to produce steam. A few, such as the LG steam dryer, have a manual steam feeder instead. Ease of use is another consideration. Some models have fairly complicated control panels while others are fairly intuitive. A few models have a rack in the dryer to hang clothing so it doesn't tumble. Others offer a reverse-tumble action so clothing doesn't become twisted. Consider also how long a normal cycle takes and if the machine offers a quick cycle to freshen clothing.

Customer Service and Consumer Satisfaction

• Before buying any dryer, ask about the warranty and maintenance. Look online or call customer support to see how helpful they are in general. Scroll through product reviews from actual users at websites, such as Lowe's or Amazon, to get a feel for any potential problems or durability issues. One bad review doesn't necessarily mean the appliance is a dud; but if you find many reviews all listing the same problem, watch out.