Washer with a Steam Clean Function.

My dryer has steam and that does just fine for refreshing.

I have a Samsung steam washer; bought it 3 or 4 years ago. Once you buy one, you will never EVER go back to a traditional washer. Basically, the steam feature sanitizes without chemicals. So your laundry gets SUPER clean, sanitized (to NSF standards... I mean, NO bacteria of any type is left when you're done), and all without using Clorox 2, or regular bleach. I wash all of my husband's grungy construction-site clothing, his nasty rugby clothes, all of our sheets, and all of our towels on the steam sanitize cycle. You know how towels get a musty smell sometimes? Yeah, not when you wash them using steam. They stay perfectly clean-smelling for about a week of use. Socks? Bright white, no yucky smell. Athletic shoes? Same thing. I never pre-treat anything. Just throw it in, hit "sanitize" and walk away.

Honestly, before I owned one, I couldn't imagine what in the world I'd need a steam washer for. My husband talked me into it, and (do I dare say it?) he was totally right. I love my washer.

Try looking at the Consumer Reports.
In August of 2012, they did evaluations and rating of washers.
I was recently looking for a washer.
I used the Consumer Reports to choose one.
For me I didn't care about the steam function.
But the Consumer Reports is a good place to look at the recommended washers.

I love my steam setting on the washer. I use it to clean the comforter, I wash the bedding on it. I wash nasty towels with it like when someone throws up on them or something. It really does get them cleaner than a standard setting and gets them clean faster. Without it I have to wash things a few times to get the smell out of them.
When we get new machines I will be getting it again. It really is worth it to me.

ETA: I also use it to wash the bed pillows. Dry them with a few tennis balls after and we have brand new pillows!

i got my new washer and dryer last month. they both have the steam clean function. i didn't know what that was for. one of the ladies here said bedding. what a great suggestion (of course i didn't read up on anything yet) but i will use it for that. i do use my allergen function bc one of my kids has environmental allergies and i can tell she has been sneezing less.

I use the steam clean in my washer for things like whites, towels, sheets, and anything really dirty. It works wonderful and I would never go back. I use the steam feature on my dryer for freshening things up, dry clean only items, etc. I love the steam features on both and would never have a machine without them again. HTH!