It never ceases to amaze me when I hear of someone who does not take care of their iron. How can they not know? My mother taught me, her mother taught her. As the others have said, you only use distilled water and never leave your water in the iron, lazy or not. It is always best to stick with GE anything. I've had one for 24 years. I bought another small GE Light and Easy travel iron (and for small projects) at a thrift store for $2 and it is the best little iron too. Good luck!