How to Choose the Right Towel Steamer for Your Salon

You’re running a busy beauty salon. You’ve got clients coming in, your estheticians are working their magic, and the demand for service is through the roof.

But here’s the catch: your towels are a mess. They’re cold, they’re stiff, and you know that if you could give your clients the luxury of a warm, steamed towel, your services would feel 100x better.

That’s where a towel steamer comes in.

You’ve probably heard of them, but do you really know what they can do for you? Whether you're new to the towel-steaming game or looking to upgrade, let me break it down for you in a way that makes sense.

I get it. There’s a lot of confusion around the different sizes and models out there. You don’t want to buy something that doesn’t match your salon’s needs, right? And you definitely don’t want to spend money on something that’s too big, too small, or just doesn’t deliver.

Why Do You Need a Towel Steamer?

If you’re asking yourself this, you’re not alone. There’s a lot to consider when running a beauty salon, and buying a towel steamer might seem like just another expense.

But trust me, the value it brings is massive.

• Client Experience: Imagine a client walking in for a facial or a massage, and you wrap their face or body in a warm, soothing towel. Instant relaxation. Instant "wow" factor.
• Hygiene: The steam not only warms the towels, but it also sanitizes them. Clean, fresh towels for every client.
• Efficiency: Say goodbye to waiting for towels to warm up. A good towel steamer works in minutes. No more scrambling to reheat towels for every treatment.

Choosing the Right Size Towel Steamer

There’s a lot of options, but it comes down to a few key factors: how many towels you need to steam, and how much space you have.

1. Compact Size: 1–3 Towels

• Best for: Solo estheticians or beauty professionals with low traffic.
• Capacity: You can steam 1 to 3 towels at a time.
• Pro: Easy to store, inexpensive, and portable.
• Con: Limited capacity, so not ideal for larger salons with multiple clients at once.

Example: If you run a small facial studio, a compact model is a great fit. You only need a couple of towels for each treatment, and it’s easy to store when not in use.

2. Medium Size: 5–10 Towels

• Best for: Medium-sized salons or estheticians who serve 10–20 clients per day.
• Capacity: 5–10 towels at once.
• Pro: Efficient for moderate traffic.
• Con: Takes up a bit more space on your counter.

Example: For a full-service beauty salon with facials and body wraps, a medium-sized steamer works well to keep towels ready for multiple treatments.

3. Large Size: 15–30 Towels

• Best for: High-volume salons or spas.
• Capacity: 15–30 towels at once.
• Pro: Can handle a busy day and high client volume.
• Con: Takes up more space and comes with a higher price tag.

Example: If you’re running a luxury spa with lots of treatment rooms, this is the model you need to keep up with demand.

4. Wall-Mounted Models

• Best for: Salons with limited counter space.
• Capacity: Typically 5–10 towels.
• Pro: Saves counter space.
• Con: Less flexible and capacity is more limited.

Example: If your space is tight, a wall-mounted steamer can give you the towel capacity you need without taking up counter space.

Important Things to Keep in Mind

• Capacity: Choose a model that matches your client volume. Too small, and you’ll be running it all day. Too large, and it’ll just take up space.
• Size: Don’t go overboard if you don’t have the space. Be realistic about your needs.
• Heating Time: Look for steamers that heat quickly and efficiently. No one wants to wait for towels to warm up.
• Maintenance: Keep in mind how easy it is to clean and maintain your towel steamer. You don’t want it breaking down after a few months.

Esthetician Tips for Your Towel Steamer

Pro Tip: Put your water in your hot towel warmer to keep it nice and warm while you wait for your client to arrive. This ensures that when it’s time to use your towels, they’re ready to go!

Ready to Choose Your Towel Steamer?

Whether you’re a solo esthetician or running a high-volume spa, finding the right towel steamer is key to providing an exceptional experience for your clients.

Tip: Looking for top-quality towel steamers? Check out our collection of towel steamers here!