How to clean your iron from scale at home

The scale inside the iron affects its operation, impairs the operation of the heating element, which can lead to the breakdown of an almost new electrical appliance. The water in the water taps of the apartments is hard, it contains a high content of alkali and dissolved salts. Not all housewives carefully follow the instructions, and often violate the temperature regime. The formation of salts becomes inevitable, and even the most branded electrical appliance wears out and breaks down quickly.

How to descale your iron using the self-cleaning function

Many modern models of irons have a self-cleaning function, thanks to which plaque is removed from the inner walls of the steam chamber.

1. Pour water into a special compartment inside the iron to the maximum mark.
2. Heat the iron to maximum power, unplug from the outlet.
3. After cooling the sole, turn the iron back on at maximum power so that the water boils.
4. Remove the plug from the outlet, hold the iron with the sole down and press the “selfclean” button on the iron body.
5. Water will start to leak out of the holes on the sole and scale pieces, so keep the appliance over a bowl that has been brought in beforehand.
6. Shake the iron several times, hold it above the container until water stops flowing out.
7. Wait for the sole to cool, wipe it with a damp cloth.

How to clean your iron from scale using improvised tools

1. Using citric acid. Pour in a solution of citric acid (two packs of acid per half liter of water), set the iron to the maximum temperature and wait a while. Then press the steam button. Water from the holes should drain into a pre-delivered bowl. Scum will come out with pieces of it. After the procedure, ordinary carbonated water is poured into the tank, which removes acid residues. The sole is also wiped with a wet swab.
2. Using vinegar. Wipe the surface of the soleplate with a solution of 9% vinegar. Then heat the iron and let off steam. Wipe the surface again when the iron has cooled. The procedure should be carried out with the windows open, because the smell is not the most pleasant.
3. Using mineral water. Mineral water is poured into the water tank. The iron heats up to maximum, the steam button is turned off and the button is pressed. Then the iron cools down, and the water tank rinses from the remnants of scale.
4. Using a special pencil. Specialty pencils are sold in stores. They effectively clean the surface of the iron. To do this, preheat the iron by setting it to “ironing”. Rub the surface of the sole with a pencil. The pencil will begin to melt, turning into a black liquid. Iron a waste piece of rag with a heated iron. It will leave scum and particles of melted pencil. After cooling, wipe the surface of the sole with a damp swab.
5. Using ammonia. Wipe the cold surface of the iron with a swab dipped in ammonia. Heat the iron in woolen mode. After cooling the surface, wipe it with a damp cloth.

Iron descaler

1. Italian descaler in steam irons Activ clean Wpro. Does not contain banned surfactants banned in Russia. After using the product, the iron heats better, smoothes and steams things well.
2. MAGIC POWER descaler. It has a pleasant smell. It will help to “revive” not even a new iron that has been used for many years.
3. Environmentally friendly universal Astonish descaler. Suitable for both cleaning irons and descaling inside the kettle. It has no dangerous chemical components.
4. Tool for irons TOPPERR. It is poured into the water tank at night, it is poured in the morning along with scale particles. The iron works like new.
5. Zumman steam hole cleaning pencil. Effectively removes scale from the holes on the sole of the iron. Removes melted tissue residues, the surface becomes like new.
6. ZOOL anti-scale protects water elements from limescale deposits. No hazardous surfactants.
7. The Flat set for irons consists of descaler and eau de parfum that does not contain salts and protects the iron's water heating elements from scale. Upon formation, steam fills the room with a pleasant aroma.
8. The HG iron cleaner has a brush in the kit that can clean the steam holes on the sole of the iron. It is a pencil with an active cleaning agent. Cleans holes from calcareous deposits.
9. Ironing kit Top house. It consists of a candle with which the surface of the sole and steam holes are cleaned. The scale cleaner contains organic acids, so it will not damage the heating elements. A special cap will not allow opening a chemical agent to a small child. The napkin included in the kit will remove residual dirt and scale.

How to prevent scale formation inside the iron

Many housewives, without knowing it, shorten the life of the irons using tap water. This can be done if the iron says “selfclean”. This means that there is an anti-lime cartridge inside the iron that demineralizes the water, making it less rigid. If the iron does not have a self-cleaning system, then distilled water should be poured into the tank. It is sold in all major supermarkets. If it is not possible to purchase distilled water, use bottled drinking water. It undergoes several cleaning systems, therefore it has a much softer composition than ordinary tap water. But it does not protect against scale by 100%.

Some manufacturers, knowing about the special tenderness of women to pleasant aromas, produce special water that needs to be poured into the iron. It has a soft composition, does not contain minerals, therefore it is absolutely safe for water heating elements. But the perfumed water for the iron turns the ironing process into a pleasant pastime, giving the linen a natural light aroma.

Water for the iron Luxus Professional prolongs the life of the iron, facilitates the ironing process, protects the fabric from high temperatures. Environmentally friendly tool. Has a wide palette of aromas or no smell at all.

Ironing fluid Silan. No need to mix with water, drain residues back into the bottle. Acts on fabric like fabric softener. Protects the iron from scale.

BON Professional scented liquid is able to soften even dry, hard clothes, giving things a pleasant aroma. It will not allow limescale to settle on the water heating parts of the iron.

The best way to rid the iron of scale is to strictly follow the operating rules. Consider the temperature regime when pouring liquid. Do not use hard tap water. With frequent use of the steamer, clean the iron once every six months from descaling with folk remedies. In advanced cases, use special means for cleaning the iron.

Video: how to clean your iron from scale