i have had my7 black and decker iron for about 5 yrs. and it was purchased at a thrift stor no telling how old it is i have had to clean it with some iron cleaner you put it in let it stam and than emptie it but other than that i have had no problems i am thinking of gettin a neq one just to say i have a new iron or mably if i take this quilt class they wont laught at my iron again shure has done me a good job