Steam Refresh explained: how to freshen clothes without a full wash?
You've worn the shirt once. It isn't dirty, but it's creased from the car and smells faintly of last night's barbecue. Washing it feels like overkill, ironing feels like a chore, and putting it back in the wardrobe as-is doesn't feel right either.
That in-between pile - the chair in the corner of the bedroom - is exactly what Steam Refresh is designed for.
Why do lightly worn clothes end up back in the wash?
Usually because the alternatives are a hassle. A full wash fixes the creases and the smell, but it uses more water, detergent and time than a garment that's only been worn once really needs.
The workarounds are hit and miss. Hanging a shirt in a steamy bathroom or airing it on the line can take the edge off, but it depends on the weather and rarely shifts a cooking smell. Ironing deals with creases but not odours.
What is Steam Refresh?
Steam Refresh is a dedicated cycle of about 20 minutes on Fisher & Paykel Steam Care front-loader washers. It uses a small amount of water as steam to gently ease creases out of clothes and remove odours — without laundry detergent.
Fisher & Paykel says steam also helps restore a garment's natural shape by gently expanding the fabric fibres. Because it isn't a full wash, it uses less water than a normal cycle.
What can you put through Steam Refresh?
Fisher & Paykel says steam suits almost any fabric type — from delicate silks and activewear through to cotton, linen and blends. It's designed for lightly worn garments and small loads.
A work shirt worn for a day
A wool jumper that needs a freshen-up between washes
A down jacket that's picked up a smell
Activewear worn for a short walk, not a hard session
Always check the garment's care label first. If it says dry clean only, follow the label.
What won't Steam Refresh do?
It isn't a substitute for washing. Clothes that are stained, sweaty or properly dirty still need a full wash cycle.
It also isn't a sanitising cycle. Fisher & Paykel makes no germ-killing or allergen claims for Steam Refresh — those sit with its separate hygiene cycles, which use higher wash temperatures and an extra rinse.
Which Fisher & Paykel washers have Steam Refresh?
Steam Refresh is part of Fisher & Paykel's front load washer range from Series 5 upwards, so you don't need a top-of-the-range machine to get it. At Series 11, steam is also used for steam sanitise and deodorise options.
Some Fisher & Paykel Steam Care heat-pump dryers have a separate function called Steam Freshen, which also targets creases and odours. It's a different function from the washer's Steam Refresh, so check the model's spec sheet if you want it.
Is Steam Refresh worth having?
If you regularly rewash clothes that were only worn once — work shirts, knitwear, going-out tops — it's genuinely useful, and it saves water, detergent and wear on your clothes. If most of your washing is muddy sports gear and school uniforms, you'll use it less.
Steam Refresh is just one of the things that changes as you move through Fisher & Paykel's Series 5, 7, 9 and 11 front load washers. For the full comparison, read our guide: Fisher & Paykel Series 5, 7, 9 or 11: which washer and heat pump dryer is right for your wardrobe?
Reviewed by 100% Home. Last updated October 2026.