I have had several Rowentas and hated them all. They leaked after about six months and I sent one back to the factory. They repaired it and I just recently had to drag it back out again when the Shark I bought eight months ago also failed! So now I have a barely operating Rowenta and a cheapie from WM I only paid $5 for: wanna guess which one will last the longest? I guess the next one I buy will be from Goodwill or my local charity store so I can get a decent one!

The Reliable 100 is amazing and very considerate - no belching or spitting. $$$ but so worth it

I have a Shark, got it at Walmart for under $20. Makes a lot of steam.

I had 2 Rowentas and NEVER again!!! The only thing they were good for was leaking! I bought a T-Fal - love it!!!

Based on input from other board members, I bought a Black & Decker that looks like my Mom's old iron. It works great, but I have not had it long. It replaced a 10 year old Rowenta that died.

I have a Sunbeam I got at BJ's. It works but is a little "spitty" at times. Makes good steam & is a good weight. The Sharks at my LQS hardly ever work properly.

How do you clean an iron with vinegar?

I had a Bernette made for Bernina it was 120.00 in 1994 and it lasted about 10 years and was wonderful. It was on sale for 89.00 when purchased. I used to tell people the wrinkles jumped out of the way when they saw it coming. It was awesome. I have Rowenta dressmakers now. Ok, but not like the Bernette. When we sew and keep them on all day it takes a beating. Teresa

I have a 9 month old Velocity by Reliable. It was expensive (for me) but the steam it produces is amazing. It roars when you hit the steam button. And you can override the shut off system. But it truly steams better than any iron I have ever owned and I've owned Eliso, Rowenta, Shark, Black and Decker, etc. It takes every single wrinkle out with one try! Unbelieveable!!!

I have to say, my Rowentas have lasted probably about 10 years each. Once upon a time I used mine daily to iron my clothes for work - I know - a dinosaur! After many drops, it finally died. Bought another one that I now use for quilting and have used it for probably about the same amount of time but for the last 5+ years primarly for quilting. No leaking issues at all. I make sure that I read what type water (tap or distilled) that model calls for and use the appropriate one. I'm having cord issues currently so it's only working sporadically. But I'd buy another in a heart beat. I did happend to be in JoAnn's a few weeks ago and the store I was in had one of the models on sale for about 50% off. Was tempted but ended up not buying it then. Probably the wrong decision, but, oh well. I'll get one sooner or later.

To clean an iron with vinegar: It's just like using vinegar to clean a coffee maker or a steam humidifier. It softens the calcium deposits that can gunk up the vents or cause particles to break loose and cause leaks where once water was kept tight.

Pour straight white vinegar into your iron. (Vinegar is a base, not an acid, this will not hurt your iron). Fill the iron, turn it on and let it sit for 2 hours. The auto-shut off will turn it off eventually, this is ok, just let it sit to soften the crud.

Afterwards, take the iron to the sink, hold it upright and shake it gently to loosen the crud. Then turn the iron upside down and pour the vinegar out of the iron.

Next, add more white vinegar to the iron, fill it to the top. Turn the iron on high, turn the steam to high and hold the iron horizontal over your sink, as if you're ironing. Let the steam vent out until the iron is about half empty of vinegar. Then turn the iron upright, shake it gently as before and turn it upside down to pour the remaining vinegar out of the iron.

Fill with plain water, empty, fill with water again and repeat the process of venting steam until you're satisfied all the vinegar is out of the vents. And you've just added another few years of service to your iron!

Vinegar works on clogged shower heads as well.

Christine-
http://quiltdasher.blogspot.com/