We have very hard water and seems like no matter what kind of steam iron I buy or how I care for it by the end of the year I need a new one. Heck, I've bought irons for $30, travel irons, etc and even a Rowenta and in about 6 months white spots are coming out of those little holes. Now I am using distilled water in this new Sunbeam and will see how that goes. I want one that lasts using our normal country water. It seems like all appliances that need water out here clog up pretty fast. Can't count how many coffee pots we have gone thru even with the cleaning of different cleaners, including the vinegar treatment. UGH!