Rowentas are finicky, I've had more than one and sometimes they start leaking. The directions say to not use distilled water and if you do the leaking starts--Why, I don't know. Anyway, I have a leaky one now that I use only as a dry iron and a new one-got it at a great price-that has been good so far. If this one leaks I'm going back to the cheaper ones. So my suggestion is don't use your iron as a steam iron and by happy you got it for only $1.

Here is what I would try. Fill the water tank 1/3-1/2 way full with water, then fill it the rest of the way with WHITE VINIGAR. Set the iron to cotton for 15 minutes, then steam an old towel or something for a few minutes. Then if there is any water left drain it out. let the iron cool off and fill the tank with clean water. repeat heating the iron to cotton for 15 minutes, steaming for a few minutes, drain the water, this time you don't have to let the iron cool before using it again.

I bought one of the more expensive Rowenta Irons and have sent it back to the manufacturer twice for repair. They finally sent me a new one and it seems fine for now. I have only had it for a month, so we will see. I always use steam, but after reading this forum, maybe I will use the water spritzer instead of the steam setting.
Thanks for the recommendation....