My Rowenta instructions said to use tap water and a friend was putting distilled in hers and when she switched to tap water it quit leaking. Who would think that? I know yeats ago always used distilled water-but I do read directions when I get something new and kept it to remind me to use tap water. I love my Rowenta!

I never empty mine, and only had one problem: A cockroach must have been thirsty, because there he (she) was in the water reservoir! lol

I own a Rowenta, the book says not to use distilled water, but the water in our town is horribly hard, so I mix it half and half. Some days I refill numerous times, so it only stays full for a short time, unless the water is low at the time of day when I quit using it.

I have an Oliso, Smart Iron and it says to use tap water and empty out after using. Mine usually goes empty before I have to dump it out! I used to use distilled water in other irons and yes, they did leak from time to time! Never knew why!

This is so funny that this topic came up.

I now have 4 irons.

I dead Rowenta, 1 six mos old LEAKY Rowenta, 1 LEAKY Sunbeam & and a new Shark.

Who knew you were suppose to empty the water out-- I never heard of it before just 2 weeks ago...
Who read the iron directions upon opening the new iron??
I have softened water and have problems with white scaly stuff (lime?) PLUS now these leaky irons..

Is it my softened water or the fact I never knew you were suppose to empty the water out that makes my iron leak and then die?

So now I am trying with the new Shark iron and will dump the water out and also get better water.

Another pet peeve, as I do read the directions to find out about what kind of water to use. The directions never seem to think about hard or softened water. It's a bit confusing to me- tap, distilled, bottled water... what about the well water.. enough crabbing!!

Emptey flat irons. and tea kettles. A very good idea when
you have water as hard and limey as ours in NNY. If you
don't empty them the lime builds up and puts them our of
working order. I have an old teakettle that proves it. The
lime is so thick in the bottom it would take a pick ax to
loosen it. I like the idea of a dry iron and use a spray
bottle. Thank you.!!

I do not empty my irons after every use. My Rowenta says to use tap water and so I do. I also use tap water in my Sunbeam. Over the years various irons have required distilled water, or cleaning with vinegar, etc. But, with the self-cleaning irons, I don't have any leaking problems. But, then I use my iron a lot and have to refill several times a day. Best advice is to follow the instructions in the book for your particular iron.

My mother told me to empty the iron after using, so I have to empty mine.

Ok, how do you know?

Could be the salt from the softener. Fill a custard cup with water, set it aside and let it evaporate. If you see crystals it may be salt.

Worked in a hospital kitchen in Orange County, CA where the dietitian had the tap water tested. It was so salty from all the irrigation etc. before it got to us that she wouldn't let a extremely low sodium patient use it.