I use 1/2 distilled water and 1/2 tap water in my iron - it never spits.

You can also buy de-scaling solution especially for irons. This normally gets rid of the lime scale ("white stuff") from inside the iron. My very expensive steam iron has just started spitting. The instructions say you can use water from the faucet unless the water is hard. My water is quite soft but the spitting has started. I have flushed the tank out and from now on I will use distilled water and see if that helps. Good luck with yours.

Did you know a half cup of white vinegar in the last rinse will make your clothes really soft. " Vinegar for everything, it's a good thing>"

The white stuff is the calcium deposits from your water. I use an old towel and put my iron on the highest setting possible. Adding a bit of vinegar to distilled water helps to loosen the deposits. I have an auto safety shut off on my iron. DH chose it and brought it home. I hate it. My other iron was 40 years old when he thought I deserved a new iron. I deserved the one I don't have to curse at every time I use it. Love the man but wish he would ask first.

My closets are very crowded so I really need a steam iron or I'd have to go out looking like an unmade bed. My latest T-Fal iron said not to use distilled water so I use the filtered water from my new refrigerator. No problems so far.

I live is a area where we have the hardest water ever, I use white vinegar in everything, to clean my dishwasher, washing machine, coffee pot and always my iron.

Thank you everyone for all your thoughts ... just bought an iron at a yard sale for $5 ... and it works just fine ... I did by a dry iron and I will be trying that as well ...

There is the saying that any steam iron had the ability to become incontinent.

I use the white vinegar straight. Put the iron out on my patio and plug it in to clean it out. no vinegar-y smell in the house.

I did indulge in a Reliable brand iron for $65.00. It is one of my best investments for my sewing. It is a bright happy orange. It literally does not leak or spit. A very well behaved guest. It also stays on.
I love it and now own the heavy duty Reliable also.
I add a little white vinegar to the iron ever time I add water. It smells fresh and wrinkles just seem to disappear.
I would much rather keep one iron for many years instead of adding to the landfill every year.
peace

Fill it with vinegar and let it set for a few hours, then pour out and fill with water and put on high steam and tilt and let the gunk steam out. I also put a pinch of salt in. We have very hard water. Sometimes I have to do it twice. BUT before you do this read your iron manual!!