This Is the Unexpected Appliance You *Need* in Your Laundry Room

It (Mostly) Works Like a Charm

While LG does not position its Styler as a dry-cleaning replacement, after experiencing how fresh my items emerge from it, I can confidently say that I do. Not only does it remove stale odors entirely—a cashmere sweater that had been at the bottom of my dirty clothes for roughly six months came out smelling brand new and felt and looked just like it did on the day I bought it.

One by one, I watched as all of my tossed aside silks, pleathers and delicates came out from their turn in the Styler as fresh as a daisy. “But Nicole,” you might be wondering, “How do you know that they’re actually clean?”

Beyond utilizing my own eyes and nose, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) awarded this machine with an asthma and allergy friendly certification in 2018. According to the foundation, fabrics must be cleaned at temperatures of 130 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter to effectively reduce allergens such as dust mites, bacteria and fungi. The LG not only uses steam that’s hot enough to do so, its certification means that it was found to reduce bacteria and fungi by a whopping 99 percent. (A 1993 study found that regular dry-cleaning methods reduced total allergen levels by 70 percent.) 

The standards used for AAFA certification also require that the appliance not raise humidity in its environment by more than five percent during use or disperse water contaminated with bacteria and fungi. “We are happy to confirm that LG Styler meets our strict standards,” Allergy Standards Limited (ASL) CEO Dr. John McKeon said in a press release at the time.

What’s more, the LG Styler does it all with regular old steam—no bleach, soaps or other harsh chemicals in sight. That’s a big pro over standard dry-cleaning methods, which often use harsh chemicals, like perchloroethylene (perc), to clean your clothes.

However, the only place the machine lost a few points in the efficiency department for me was in its steaming: I do wish it did a slightly better job of getting out wrinkles on materials such as cottons and linens. While it does remove a good portion of creases, some items could still use a pass under the iron after being refreshed—something I like to avoid at all costs. Still, I’d deem the clothing wrinkle-free enough to be wearable fresh out of the closet.

It Saves You Money in the Long Run

Yes, this appliance is pricey. Depending on which model you go with (I have the SC3W, $899), it can run you up to $1,899 for an iteration with smart technology features. But considering the fact that my average dry-cleaning trip, which typically includes five to seven items, is at least $100, I actually think this is a steal. It comes with a limited ten-year warranty on its compressor, which means you’ll be using for years to come free of charge, as often as you like, on all of your most pricey items to clean. And let me tell you—those savings add up quickly. Roughly nine trips in, this thing would have already paid for itself at its sale price of $900.

If you’re still balking at the expense, you can try out a cheaper version, such as the Everyday Steam Closet ($299) or the CHI hanging garment steamer ($123). While I haven’t tested these items and the ratings for both are few, the first, which folds down for storage, also promises to kill 99 percent of bacteria with its steam. (The second company makes no such claims, leading me to believe its closet may be better suited for wrinkle removal.)

Its Flaws Are Few

Now, for the gripes. My main one? Its size. This thing is absolutely monstrous. (Like, taller than a refrigerator monstrous.) For this, I knocked a few points off its otherwise sleek aesthetic. What’s more, the delivery guy wasn’t allowed to bring it any further than the parking lot. Without the help of my boyfriend (who was less than thrilled at the arrival of my new appliance), I never would have been able to get it inside, let alone lift up its 183 pounds to set up the drip tray that’s supposed to go underneath it. If you need help getting this baby set up, I highly recommend adding the installation service option onto your checkout at LG for an extra $10.

It also requires a relatively open space (it’s 72.75 inches tall by 17.5 inches wide), so you’ll want to plan out where to put it. The door is reversible, which gives you a few more options, but any way you slice it, it’s got an awkward footprint. Currently, mine is (just barely) stuffed into our laundry room.  

During use, my only complaint is that a few of my harder-to-hang items tend to shake off the hangers while they're moving and vibrating around. While they still came out clean, they fell in a pile in the corner, which affected the amount of wrinkles that came out, as well as their drying time.

This problem could easily be solved by using the accompanying Styler shelf ($30), which allows you to better clean items that crease on hangers with steam, such as sweaters, or bulkier things that can’t be hung, like blankets. The kicker? It’s sold separately from the appliance. You’ll also have to buy a third moving hanger with a bar for pants ($20). While neither of these extras are particularly expensive, the fact that they aren’t almost makes it more annoying that they weren’t simply included with the machine.

Finally, the app could definitely be more user-friendly, particularly during setup. It would be far easier to connect the device to your regular Wi-Fi right out of the gate.  If it was that frustrating for me, a relatively tech-savvy 37-year-old woman, I can only imagine the struggle that older or less tech-inclined users could have in connecting their own appliances.

The Verdict

The LG Styler steam closet is an absolute dream for a clothes horse like myself, who has a lot of items that need specialty cleaning. (Olivia Palermo is also a fan.) It has its faults, like its size and its complex app, but overall, I’m saving money, have cleaner clothes and a bigger variety of things to wear because of it. My dresses feel fresh, my tops look great and I don’t have to schedule dry-cleaning drop-offs and pickups.

As long as you have a little help to get it in the door, be it professional or otherwise, I’d put it right up there with a dishwasher. Is it absolutely essential? No. But it sure is nice to have.

• Pros: efficiently cleans and sanitizes clothes, saves money over time, easy to operate, no harsh chemicals
• Cons: big and bulky, complex app, several accessories sold separately
• Size: 72.75 inches tall by 17.5 inches wide
• Weight: 183 pounds