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Old 08-25-2013, 04:20 PM
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Default Iron troubles

My iron is spitting white stuff out when in the steam mode. I am guessing it is the water that I am putting in, which is from my faucet. I will be changing that. Just wondering is there a good why to "clean" out my iron? Any ideas are welcome ... thanks in advance ladies!
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Old 08-25-2013, 05:30 PM
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Sometimes the instructions say how to clean it out, but I don't think many of us keep them. I know I don't. If you don't have them, you might look online for some. Every steam iron I've ever used does the same thing after a while. I recently bought a dry iron from Home Depot, but unfortunately, it isn't staying hot, so it's going back. I've read that if you buy a steam iron, but don't ever put water in it, it will be like the dry irons. I hauled out the old iron and have been using it without water. It's better that way so far anyway.
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Old 08-25-2013, 05:37 PM
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I just bought a 1950's dry iron at a junk store for just that reason. I hate every steam iron I've ever owned and all the new ones just barely get warm. If I want steam, I sprinkle with water just like my Grandma always did.
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Old 08-25-2013, 05:50 PM
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I had the same problem with an iron. At first, it quit getting hot. My teenage son loves to fix things, so I gave it to him to fix. He replaced a thermal fuse, it cost all of $5, and the iron was back in working condition - except now it spits out white stuff. This iron has a replaceable filter cartridge, and I just put in a new one, so I have no idea what the white stuff could be.
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Old 08-25-2013, 05:56 PM
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I learned a long time ago no matter what water you use and yes the distilled water irons will start to get the white stuff. I never put water in the iron and use a spray bottle to mist the fabric when I iron or just use a dry iron.

Running vinegar mixture may help clean your iron. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbpw6SIxNxI
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Old 08-25-2013, 06:05 PM
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white vinegar let it sit a bit and then use the steam setting so it willclean out all the gunk. You are best of using distilled water if you can
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Old 08-25-2013, 07:16 PM
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I put white vinegar and water in my iron and then turn it on the steam setting. Set it down in my oven on the one of the racks and let it steam away. For years I wanted a Rowenta but didn't want to pay that much for an iron. I finally bought one about a year ago and it is already spitting. I am going back to a cheapie again and not going to put water in it Good luck!
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Old 08-25-2013, 07:30 PM
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I've used white vinegar and it works great, just make sure to run a couple of fill-ups with just water afterwards to get the vinegar smell out before you use it on fabric. Any kind of water will cause this build-up so it really doesn't matter. I buy cheaper irons so after a few years I just replace them. Black and Deckers work great for me.
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Old 08-25-2013, 07:31 PM
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Ditto on the vinegar! I use it to clean coffee pot, iron and a lot more. Even wrap a cloth or paper towel around faucets that have hard water crud on them, soak it in vinegar, and leave it for a few hours. Will clean most.
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Old 08-25-2013, 07:55 PM
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I agree vinegar!
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