15 easy ways to descale your iron

You bought a new chiffon blouse, but it was hopelessly "chewed" by a burnt iron? But the disaster might not have happened if you had guessed to clean the sole of the dirt in time. Moreover, you can avoid whitish stripes on clothes after ironing with a steam generator. How to do it? Just carefully read this material, which has been prepared for you by the editors of homemaster.techinfus.com/en/ magazine. The topic of today's publication is how to clean the iron from scale and carbon deposits. We have found for you 15 miraculous ways to clean the device that will save you from the prospect of spoiling your expensive and favorite things.

Careful attitude to the iron guarantees the safety of your things

Reasons for the formation of carbon deposits and scale on the sole of the iron

The main reason for the formation of carbon deposits is improper ironing of things made of synthetic fabrics. If you made a mistake with the setting of the mode and chose too high a temperature, synthetics melt under the sole, and its particles stick tightly to the surface. You may not immediately notice it. The problem will appear only after you start ironing the next item.

The melted synthetic fibers will prevent the sole from sliding freely over the surface and can, like hot glue, glue the iron to the fabric

Scale build-up is another common problem. It appears as rusty or whitish marks on the fabric. The source of the problem is tap water. Believe me, this is not at all a whim of the manufacturers - the recommendation to pour into the iron filtered or distilled liquid. This is a real look at the quality of our tap water.

The quality of plain tap water usually does not meet the requirements of imported heating units

Scale marks: how to clean your iron at home

Let's start with the scale problem. This is not the worst thing that can happen to your device. There are several effective methods of descaling.

How to simultaneously clean the iron from scale and carbon deposits: universal industrial products

German manufacturers have succeeded most of all in this matter: they offer a wide range of chemicals for simultaneously cleaning the soles of the heating device from carbon deposits and limescale.

Method 1 - chemical cleaner

The most popular products in this segment are the products of firms Topperr, Bosch and Filtero... It is not difficult to use them, the algorithm is the same for all. How to clean a steam iron: you need to dilute the chemical in water in a ratio of 1: 3, warm up the device as much as possible, turn it off and place it with the sole down in the container with the cleaning agent. After a couple of hours, you need to rinse the sole with water. Before ironing again, press the steam release lever five to six times.

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How to descale your iron: folk remedies

Chemical factory products are not always available in your home. It doesn't matter, you can clean it with folk remedies. Most of the ingredients are likely in your home, here are some ideas on how to descale your iron.

How to effectively descale the iron inside with citric acid, vinegar or soda

Method 2 - citric acid powder

To clean the iron at home from scale, dissolve 10 g of powder in half a glass of heated water, soak a soft cloth with this solution and apply it to the sole of an inverted appliance for half an hour. Then clean the steam outlet holes with cotton swabs. For internal cleaning, pour the lemon solution into the water container and turn on the device to the maximum setting. Drain steam from the heated unit several times.

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Method 3 - sparkling water

To clean the iron from scale inside, pour carbonated mineral water into the liquid reservoir. Further, the algorithm is the same as when cleaning the iron with citric acid: heating and steam release.

Method 4 - vinegar

Another popular way to clean the device from contamination is to use table vinegar. Do not use concentrated acid for this purpose, it will ruin the iron. Lightly dampen a rag with 6% table vinegar and iron it with a heated iron. Traces of rust will disappear without a trace.

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How to quickly clean the outside of the iron from carbon deposits

Method 5 - paraffin candle

Fresh deposits on the soleplate can be easily removed with a regular candle. Rub the surface of the sole with it, and then wipe off the wax firmly with hard paper. Instead of a candle, you can use a bar of soap.

Method 6 - salt

Fine salt "Extra" should be sprinkled on the newspaper and with an effort move the hot iron over it. The salt will absorb all impurities. Please note that this technique is not suitable for appliances with Teflon soles.

Method 7 - soda

Plaque and scale can be easily cleaned with a soda solution. The soda is moistened with water so that a paste is obtained.They rub the sole with it, using grains of soda as an abrasive.

Method 8 - matchbox

Another simple answer to the question of how to descale your iron is to use a matchbox. Its sticker, which is struck with a match, perfectly cleans traces of lime and rust from the sole.

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How to clean an iron from a burn if the sole is made of ceramic or Teflon

Expensive good irons from well-known brands such as Tefal or Philips are equipped with modern soles. How to clean such a device so as not to spoil it hopelessly?

Ceramic sole

Method 9 - means for cleaning glass ceramic plates

If special compositions for cleaning irons can not be found in every hardware store, then there are compositions for electric stoves almost everywhere. This paste is applied to the sole and carbon deposits are removed with gentle circular movements.

Method 10 - hydrogen peroxide

Peroxide solution is a great home remedy for limescale. How to clean a Philips iron from scale with peroxide: soak a flap of cotton, preferably linen, cloth with the solution and iron it with a hot iron.

Method 11 - toothpaste

An excellent tip from experienced housewives is to clean the ceramic sole with toothpaste. Apply the paste to a warm sole, rubbing lightly on particularly dirty areas. Once dry, wipe off the paste with a dry cloth.

How to descale your iron if it has a Teflon sole

Method 12 - nail polish remover with acetone

Acetone will help get rid of traces of burnt synthetics or polyethylene. Soak a cotton pad with nail polish remover and apply it to the stain for a couple of minutes. Then wipe the sole with the same cotton swab. Please be aware that acetone cleaning is done only on a cold surface!

Method 13 - chalk

And now we clean the Teflon iron at home with ordinary chalk: we heat the device and drive it directly over the surface of the sole with chalk. All dirt is easily washed off. Chalk residues can be easily removed with a paper towel.

Method 14 - ammonia

Not a very pleasant, but effective option for getting rid of scale in the iron. The fabric is moistened with a solution of ammonia and the sole is wiped. In difficult cases, iron the damp cloth with a hot appliance. Take care of your lungs, use a respirator and open the vents!

Method 15 - dishwashing liquid

The Teflon sole can be cleaned of burnt synthetics with dishwashing detergent. Wet the cloth with it and rub the heated sole. Then wipe with a damp cloth to remove soap residues.

By the way, if your Teflon device begins to lose its sliding properties, you can extend its life. Mix paraffin wax with Extra salt, place between two layers of a handkerchief and iron with a hot iron. The handkerchiefs will have to be thrown away, but the device itself will last some time. Some service shops have a service to refurbish the Teflon coating, but the pleasure is not cheap, so it might be easier to buy a new one.

How to use the self clean function on the iron

Self Clean is a self-cleaning function that significantly extends the life of the device. If your iron has this capability, use it periodically. Such devices cannot be cleaned with chemicals.

There is a special button on the body to control this function.

It is enough to fill the water tank and turn on the iron at full power. When the heating indicator goes out, you need to unplug the cord from the socket, place the device over a basin or sink, press the “Self Clean” button and hold it until all the water runs out. In the process, you will see dirt and debris pouring out of the sole. After cleaning, turn on the appliance again and iron an unnecessary cloth with it.With regular cleaning, your device will last a very long time.

Video instruction: how to descale the iron inside

An illustrative example of descaling a device in this material.

Special features of descaling iron with anti-lime bar or cassettes

Some devices from well-known companies, such as Brown or Moulinex, are equipped with an anti-lime rod or special cassettes. These additional devices prevent limescale build-up inside the iron. You just need to clean them periodically. To do this, the rod is removed and placed overnight in a glass with lemon juice. After it, rinse with water. Instead of lemon juice, you can use descaler or whiteness.

It is important to remember that the rod should not be touched with your fingers.

Basic rules for the use and care of the iron

1. Before you start ironing, study your things. Read the labels on your clothes and sort them according to the acceptable ironing temperature.
2. Before turning on the iron, inspect the soleplate for dirt. Do not turn on the appliance if there are remains of burnt tissue on it.
3. For delicate fabrics, use the lowest temperature. Better to spend more time ironing than throwing away the expensive item.
   

   Don't be distracted by watching TV while ironing - you can miss the moment when the fabric sticks to the sole

4. Use distilled or at least filtered water to fill the tank.
5. Make sure that the cord of the iron has no fractures or abrasions, and that the socket is intact and in good condition.
6. Do not iron near flammable substances or gas cylinders.
7. Make sure the ironing board is stable before starting work.
   

   Do not forget to place the iron on a special stand during ironing.

8. Do not leave the device unattended, especially if there are small children in the house.
9. It is undesirable to use an extension cord to connect the iron.
10. Clean the appliance regularly using the above means.

Last but not least, remember to turn off the appliance after use. After all, it is this reason that can lead at least to being late for work.

If you have any additions to our material or questions, write about it in the comments!

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