When we think of laundry care, washing, drying and ironing comes to mind. The latter for many is something totally optional or, let's be honest, non-existent. But, what about the care of the garments between washes? LG Electronics seeks to take care of that space with its LG Vapor Cleaner Styler.
The LG Vapor Cleaner Styler is a “steam closet” that seeks to offer a homemade alternative to dry cleaning, without the use of chemicals. With functionalities that go from ironing and eliminating odors, to eliminating viruses and bacteria that may be on clothes. At least in theory.
It has a capacity of up to four garments per cycle and offers the possibility of adding scent kits to add personalized scents to the clothes. The closet is the size of a slim refrigerator, and it only needs to be connected to the electrical current . Do you no longer have any more drains in the kitchen or do you not fit? Don't worry, for the water it uses two front tanks that are very easy to fill and empty when the time comes. I mean, it will be a manual job in this almost. This allows us to install it in any bedroom, laundry area or area of the house that we want to designate. Or rather, where it fits.
How does the LG Vapor Cleaner Styler work?
Water vapor removes odors from clothes and freshens them up in 20 minutes; a little more depending on the type of fabric and the chosen program. This function is very useful for refreshing clean suits, dresses or raincoats, but that have some kind of odor . Those who were regulars at nightclubs when smoking was still allowed indoors know what we are talking about. This, in turn, extends the life of the garments and their good condition by avoiding washing and drying cycles when they are not yet necessary.
Is it necessary for ordinary mortals? The truth is that the LG Vapor Cleaner Styler can have a place in any home, but its customers are very well defined. The limitation of four garments per cycle does not make much sense in the day-to-day life of an average household. If there are children, sports activities or a lot of activity, this is not your appliance . However, workers who subscribe to the daily suit – the one that can only be washed in the dye – may indeed find a real use in the LG Vapor Cleaner Styler.
In addition, the LG Vapor Cleaner Styler includes a specific program to reduce wrinkles in garments and a special anti-wrinkle hanger for the folds of pants. Of course, let's not expect shirts as fresh from the dry cleaner: the device is excellent for improving the appearance of clothes and reducing the most visible wrinkles, but the results vary widely depending on the type of fabric. A heavily wrinkled cotton shirt will come out of its cycle less wrinkled, yes, but not as freshly ironed.
We can also use the LG Vapor Cleaner Styler as a clothes dryer: thanks to its heat pump at low temperature (60ºC) and the movement of the hangers in a cycle of up to 200 times per minute, it offers a delicate and efficient drying that allows lengthening the life of the garments. Anyway, you have to remember its capacity of four garments at a time, so that you do not expect to take the laundry out of the washing machine and pass everything directly to the Styler.
The latter perhaps for urgent garments may make sense. But better to resort to the classic clothesline or dryer.
Let's talk about the option of sanitation: marketing or reality Thanks to its TrueSteam water vapor technology, the wardrobe is capable of eliminating 99.99% of viruses, bacteria and allergens from garments, including human coronavirus.
This technology places the temperature inside the cabinet between 60ºC and 62ºC for maximum efficiency, but gentle sanitation to avoid deterioration of fabrics or fillings.
Do you need this feature? No. And we explain ourselves. At the temperatures that the LG Vapor Cleaner Styler works, we are effectively reaching those levels of sanitation. But unless you work in a hospital and wear the same clothes as in your day to day, the probability that these viruses or bacteria have an impact on your health through the tissues is practically minimal. In addition, in the specific case of the coronavirus, the survival of the virus on clothing is minimal. When you go to put the garment in the appliance, it will no longer be necessary.
LG Vapor Cleaner Styler Of course it has WiFi This steam cabinet can be controlled and monitored remotely via the LG ThinQ app thanks to the built-in WiFi connectivity, although its functionalities are limited. That is, it is part of those WiFi appliances that have not yet found their place in the world. Or at least its actual utility.
It allows us to program cycles remotely so that the garments are at the desired point when we put them on, or receive notifications about the status of a program active from anywhere. It's like a programming version, but in a more sophisticated way. Still, someone will have to do the homework of stuffing the garments into the LG Vapor Cleaner Styler.
But its most useful functionality is to download additional programs designed for special garments, such as those made of leather or furs , silk ties or blankets and quilts. These programs can be loaded only one at a time, and on the front of the cabinet there is a dedicated button for that custom program. When we want to use another, we will have to download it and replace the previously installed one.
Does the LG Vapor Cleaner Styler make sense in a home?
At the end of the day, the Styler does not replace washing, drying or ironing, but complements them in a point that is often forgotten: that of the clothes that is in that limbo of having been used once or twice and is not yet necessary to wash it. Being able to refresh these garments without subjecting them to a washing process is not only friendly to the environment but also extends their useful life.
But is the LG Vapor Cleaner Styler really worth it? The answer is yes, but not for everyone or all houses . First of all, it is worth it if you have space in your home, be it in the dressing room, laundry area or somewhere where an appliance that is almost the size of a refrigerator can fit easily and without hindering your day-to-day life.
And secondly, you have to take into account the specific use that you are going to give it. We already anticipate you: it is not, far from it for all audiences. It is, almost, a household appliance for a very specific population group. With a price of € 1,599 for the white version and € 1,799 for the mirror finish, it will be especially useful for those who frequently have to wear suits, raincoats or garments that require a visit to the dry cleaner for their care.
In conclusion, the LG Vapor Cleaner Styler does what it promises and is a true ally to extend the life of our garments, reduce visits to the dry cleaner and look impeccable every day. But it is the price and size factors that you will have to take into account when making the purchase decision. We also recommend that you analyze your wardrobe and your laundry cycles. Because for a battle wash, this may not be your appliance.
