I too use cheap irons from Walmart and have quit putting water in them. Seems it's the water that ruins them, which is disappointing to say the least. I just use a spray bottle if I need steam.

I turn my iron often while I'm sewing, it heats up fast when I need it. I don't use water in it, tried bottle water in the last old iron I had and didn't like it.

I have a lightweight B & D bought on clearance for $7 at least 15 years ago and it's still going strong, with or without water. I do used distilled water. I picked up a heavier GE iron at a garage sale for pressing backings. It doesn't turn off, so I have to unplug it, but as long I know that I can deal with it.

I have a Kambrooke which I paid about $30 for which beeps at me if I leave it for more than 12 minutes. If I continue to ignore it it switches the heat off. All I need to do is move it and it starts up again. I'm not crazy about it beeping at me. I preferred the one I had before which I bought at a store like your dollar store for $25.00. It didn't beep at me but would switch the heat off it it sat for 10 minutes. Again I only had to move it to have it restart. My iron stays on most of the day at least 4-5 days a week.

I have an expenisve Shark iron which I do not like. It is heavy and keeps shutting off and you have to shake it to "wake it up". I like my cheapie Hobbs iron so much better and it was one tenth of the price!

dirty power, bad socket, hard water....could be many things! Do you turn it off at all times?

I never put water in my iron. I turn it off after each and every pressing segment - whether it is three seams or thirty. I had one iron for probably 30 years and finally had to buy a new one three years ago. I don't like to pay the electric company for anymore than I need. I also don't want to "use up" a product before it's time. The one I am using now is from Walmart and probably cost $12. The incredible (to me) need to have the newest and most gadget filled everything makes me crazy! Women used to put their irons on the wood stove to heat them up. I am thrilled to be able to just turn one on. Some of us don't have thousands of dollars to spend on our hobby and make do quite well on the cheap. Try it! You just might like it.

I have a Sunbeam iron and only use demineralised water in it that I buy from the supermarket. Had it for 4 years and haven't had a problem yet.

i've had really good luck with a $12 black & decker from wally world, a $15 GE, the $9 one i'm using now is not a 'name brand' one. i have a $150 iron in my closet----which i hate- is heavy- does not get as hot as i want- shuts itself off ---when i want it on---
i don't care if i have to buy a new one every year---but most of my inexpensive ones last 2-3 years----and mine are often for hours at a time ... almost every day.