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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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!

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.

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.

I agree vinegar!

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!!

I have a Euro Steam Revolution iron. The instructions say do not use distilled water. It says that if you have spitting, white deposits or brown stains coming out try using inexpensive bottled spring water. It explains that tap water with high levels of sodium can cause the white deposits. Iron, minerals and organic matter in tap water can cause discolorations on the fabric. The cleaning instructions advise using 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water, pour into the tank, turn iron on, let it heat up. Then turn it off and cool for 10 minutes then shake vigorously. Let cool for another 10 minutes and then empty tank. Then rinse the tank with clear water until the vinegar smell dissipates. The instructions also say to empty the tank after each use. I've always left the water in the tank but after paying $300. for this iron I do as the instructions advise.

I now believe there is no iron that will remain drip-free after using it for a year or so. Every iron I have had, from cheap to an expensive "self-cleaning" iron, have become incontinent after 1-3 years of service. The last one I had, a Shark Pro, was spitting out rusty-colored water. Even after cleaning it out several times with vinegar, still spitting. Threw it in the trash.
I now use a dry iron and spray bottle. If I ever get another steam iron, I will get a fairly cheap one, as they all seem to be almost "disposable" and do not last for long.