I have a Rowenta iron that doesn't steam like it used to. I've tried to clean it using the "self-clean" button on it but still can't get it to work like I want it. Any hints on what to use to get it steaming?

Replace it. Ive had several Rowentas and the all had problems

i agree

i've heard the same

i agree

Oh gee - I thought you ladies would have some great tips on cleaning. Replace it - really?

My 20 year old rowenta did that to me two weeks ago. I filled it with white vinegar and turned it on to high heat then allowed it to set overnight. The next morning I heated it again , cooled and then drained it. filled it with water and it took off just fine. Hope that this works for you.

I hate to agree with the others but I have to. I was a Rowenta lover for years and years but after going through three Rowenta irons my husband bought me a Shark x-tended steam burst iron and LOVE it and would not trade it for Rowenta!!

Rowenta Inc.
2199 Eden Rd
Millville, NJ 08332
Tel: 1-800-ROWENTA
Monday-Friday
from 8am to 5:30pm (EST)

Call their customer service line and see if there is something else you can do before you replace it. I know that Rowenta irons are particular to the water that you put in them. Hard water or softened water may cause you problems.

This is copied from their trouble shooting page at Rowentausa.com

The iron doesn't produce steam.

- Check that there is sufficient water in the tank.
- Make sure the variable steam lever is turned to the steam position. If the lever is set to minimum, your iron will not steam.
- The steam valve may be clogged. Unblock the valve by moving the variable steam control back and forth several times.
- If you live in a particularly hard water area, we recommend moving the variable steam lever back and forth after every time you finish ironing and using bottled spring water.



The iron is leaking: Water: Use tap water in the iron. If tap water is hard or high in organic matter, we recommend using bottled spring water or mix tap water with distilled. Do NOT use 100% distilled water. Many softening systems may cause issues as well.

I did the vinegar thing to my Rowenta .... I died in about 10 days after. It just kept getting hotter and hotter and would not stop heating.. it melted/disinigrated the poly thread I was using it got so hot.
I would call the Rowenta people before doing anything.

I LOVE my Rowenta iron! I've only decacalcified it once in six years and it just goes and goes...
I'd recommend decalcifying it before throwing in the towel.

My shark worked great for about 2 months.. ( just after I tossed the box) now it spits and sputters so bad, I've had water spurt out and burn my legs.... I hate mine@

I have no words of wisdom for your iron, but just wanted to add: Use your iron dry and keep a spray bottle of water near your ironing board. I was having problems with my old iron last year and someone posted that. I went out and bought a new iron and it has never had water it in and I have no more problems with a spitting/leaking iron.

I agree with this lady, I have not used water in any iron for years. I keep a spray bottle handy for when I need moisture and use a dry iron to do seams. A damp cotton dishtowel or old handkerchief works for embroidery and fussy fabrics. I had my share of spits and spurts and got tired of it

MyDD has a window treatment business and don't use a steam iron, can't take chances on ruining expensive fabric.

Carol J.

Bluteddi- I am sorry you dont like your Shark! I sometimes think irons have a mind of their own and each one is different!! LOL My last Rowenta was a disaster and kept leaking- I called customer service and they told me to return it and that I had a defective one....well the replacement had major issues too so thats when I gave up on Rowenta. I wonder if they aren't making them like they did years ago (surpise, surprise) because my first one....a professional model I got when I was 16 lasted for over 10 years!! The three successors were not so grand.....

I cant say enough about the Reliable 100 iron. Yes it is $$$ but it will never leak or spit. Its fantastic and I dont regret spending the $ because it never gives me any back talk!

I couldn't believe my eyes. I am having the same problem with my Rowenta iron. Sometimes it steams and sometimes it doesn't. I just keep a spray bottle near and use that if I need steam. I have been told that steam will stretch your fabric, and I have seen it happen with some fabric, so I try not to use steam.
Sue

Well, I don't have a Rowenta or anything fancy. Just a plain ole Black and Decker that I bought at KMart 14 years ago. Always use just distilled water in it and have had no problems whatsoever. I think I paid $15-$18 for it. Heats up very quickly, never gets too hot and if it ever gives out I'll be blue.

I never had fabric stretch from spray or steam, if a person doesn't "iron" the fabric but gently press it, there shouldn't be a problem. I do use spray to shrink broadcloth when I use it instead of washing and drying it, it works.
I like broadcloth because of the color selection and the price, for my type of quilts it is good enough for charity and personal quilts. For gifts I go with the high priced cotton.

Carol J.

I had some Kaffe Fassett shrink from steaming. The quilt was entirely KF. Some shrunk and some didnt

I have burned through several Rowenta irons. They usually last 5-6 years the main thing that goes wrong is the steam. I also had one that just did not get hot enough anymore. I bought a Sunbeam Steam Master for $23.00 last year and I am sold on them. Cheaper than Rowenta and I can buy several before I touch the Rowenta price.

I have always just used tap water, but the it was a lot older so it may be that the new ones are different.