How To Descale The Iron Inside At Home In Various Ways + Video And Photo

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

How to descale your iron: an overview of methods and tools

The steaming water that is often used during ironing is hard, which leads to the formation of scale on the iron - a solid residue that consists of insoluble salts. It collects on the heating elements of the iron and eventually renders the electrical appliance unusable. Therefore, it is important to descale in time.

Iron manufacturer tips

If limescale appears on the iron, first refer to the manufacturer's instructions and do not ignore the instructions for caring for the device. The iron may be equipped with an anti-lime bar that protects against limescale deposits. Then taking care of him is greatly simplified. But not all models on the market have protection.

Limescale often forms on the soleplate and inside the iron

General recommendations for device care

1. If you have hard water, dilute it with distilled water in a 1: 1 ratio (for Vitek irons, use only distilled water).
2. Do not use only distilled water for ironing (it boils at a higher temperature, steam is less generated and the inner coating of the iron may suffer).
3. Always empty the ironing tank after finishing work.
4. Remove deposits from the outside of the iron in time, for example with water-vinegar essence (not vinegar!).

Cleaning the safety valve or anti-limestone rod

It is very important to regularly care for a limestone rod or a safety valve in devices from German brands Bosch, Braun, Tefal.

1. Before removing and cleaning the valve, turn off the iron and pour out the water.
2. Press the steam button to bring it to the top position.
3. Pull the button gently without touching the bottom of the valve with your hands.
4. Dip the valve in vinegar or lemon juice until the limescale is softened.
5. Use a non-metallic brush to remove any remaining scale and rinse the rod with water.

Some brands of irons are protected from limescale with a special rod

Steam chamber cleaning

If limescale particles appear on the soleplate of the iron, clean the steam chamber using an increased steam release.

1. Add water and turn on the iron at maximum power.
2. Wait for the appliance to warm up.
3. Turn it off.
4. Hold the iron over a container or sink and press the "steam" button: scale will begin to come out along with hot steam and water. Shake the device continuously while doing this.
5. Wait for the sole to cool down and clean it.

Cleaning steam generators equipped with descaling filters

Steam generator manufacturers also advise using a mixture of distilled water and tap water and not adding vinegar, starch, perfumes, or reagents to the water. The filter in steam generators is washed with water mixed with a special descaling liquid. It can be purchased from the after-sales service departments.

It is recommended to rinse the limescale filters with special liquids.

How to clean your iron at home

At home, you can remove scale from the outer surface and internal elements of the iron using:

• special chemicals;
• citric acid;
• vinegar;
• mineral sparkling water.

How to use chemical cleaners

The most common are German products that include organic acid, water and anti-corrosion agents (Topperr, Bosch, Filtero 605).

1. We prepare a solution of water and funds in a 3: 1 ratio.
2. We heat the iron at the maximum temperature.
3. Turn off.
4. We place the device horizontally and leave it for 2 hours.
5. Pour out the product, and rinse the iron with water 1-2 times.
6. Before ironing, check the cleanliness of the iron with steam.

Special anti-scale liquids do an excellent job of removing it from the surface of the iron

The most affordable cleaning method is citric acid

1. 2 tsp Pour citric acid into half a glass of hot water.
2. Dampen a soft cloth with this solution.
3. Place it over the holes on the iron.
4. After a few minutes, remove the cloth and turn on the appliance, and later clean the holes with ordinary cotton swabs.

To clean the inside of the iron with citric acid, make a solution of 25 g of powder and 200 ml of water.

1. Pour the solution into a water container and turn the iron on at maximum temperature.
2. Wait until it is switched on again, and when the appliance is switched off a second time, release steam. The heated solution in the form of steam will enter the channels and soften the scale.

Citric acid is the most popular anti-scale aid

Mineral sparkling water from scale

1. Pour liquid into the water tank.
2. Heat the iron.
3. Chill out.

Removing rust with vinegar

This method perfectly removes rust from the soleplate of the iron, but has several drawbacks:

• vinegar is not recommended by the manufacturers themselves, as it can damage the device;
• unpleasant odor.

With a heated sole, lightly iron a cloth soaked in a solution of acetic acid. It is important to take care of the ventilation of the room.

Cleaning with vinegar is not the safest method, but effective when removing rust

How to clean a steam iron - video

To keep your iron working perfectly, follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. Clean it often, observe the temperature when ironing. If limescale appears, use the tips described to remove it quickly.