Scale forms inside the iron due to improper use. Therefore, before using a new iron, you should carefully read the operating instructions.
But often it is not possible to adhere to these rules. As a result, scale still appears over time.
How to deal with scale and salt deposits?
Of course, it is better to use branded products that are described in the instructions. But this is not always possible. Because often they are simply not at hand. Let's look at home ways to combat this problem. Again, to use one method or another, you need to know which group the iron belongs to.
Iron with self-cleaning system.
Yes, for modern iron, which has a self-cleaning system from scale and salts, you just need to pour water into the tank and switch to the maximum heating mode. You should wait for the automatic shutdown to work. Repeat this procedure. After this, disconnect the device from the power supply and turn on the self-cleaning mode.
For the most effective cleaning, the iron must be shaken. However, you need to remember that it is heated and if you move it carelessly, there is a risk of burns. Drain the liquid leaking from the holes in the sole into a bowl and then down the drain. Thus, all salt deposits and scale will come out along with the water.
Then you should dry the iron. To do this, place it with its nose up and turn it on at full power.You have to be very careful, as the iron gets very hot when drying.
After the iron has completely cooled down, its soleplate is washed to remove any remaining dirt. This action is described in detail in the instructions for irons with a self-cleaning function.
You should also check the anti-lime rod for scale. It is very easy to clean. It is enough just to put it in a solution of citric acid or vinegar for a couple of hours. If the rod is clean, you can rinse it with boiled water and insert it back into the iron.
Cleaning the iron without a self-cleaning system.
If the iron does not have a self-cleaning system, use a citric acid solution. To prepare it, take 25 grams of crystallized acid and dissolve it in a glass of hot water. Then pour this solution into an empty water tank and turn on the iron to maximum heating mode, wait for it to automatically turn off and press set the “Steam” mode. The acid will destroy the scale, and it will come out of the iron along with the steam. It is better to carry out this operation in the bathroom above a basin so that dirty steam with particles of harmful substances does not scatter throughout the room.
To clean the iron from citric acid residues, you should carry out the same operation, only with plain water. Instead of citric acid, you can use mineral water. The cleaning principle will be the same. Such “cleaners” are absolutely harmless to the insides of the iron.
Never use vinegar to clean the inside of your iron. Even 9%. Since it adversely affects the plastic and rubber parts inside the device. Vinegar can only be used to clean the metal soleplate of the iron.
You should also be aware of the steam holes on the soleplate of the iron.If they are dirty, there is a chance of ruining the clothes when ironing.
Options for cleaning the steam holes on the soleplate of the iron.
To clean the holes on the sole of the iron through which steam escapes, just pour a solution of citric acid or mineral water into them using a syringe. This procedure should be repeated several times to remove all contaminants from these holes.
If the pollution is abundant and outdated, then it is better to organize a so-called iron bath. To do this, use the same citric acid solution.
In a baking tray or frying pan that is large enough to accommodate an iron, place wooden blocks or something else that will not allow the sole of the iron to come into contact with the bottom of the container. We install an iron on them and fill them with a hot solution using citric acid. It needs to be poured so much that it covers the sole, but not higher than 5 mm. This way, the sole will be immersed in the cleaning solution and all rubber and plastic parts will be safe. If there is more solution, then there is a chance of ruining the iron.
Leave the surface to be cleaned in this position for at least half an hour. The acid penetrates inside through the steam holes, thereby cleaning them from scale and salt deposits. For greater cleaning effect, place this container in which the iron is immersed on low heat. After a short period of time, you can observe that the water in the container will become contaminated. This indicates that dirt and deposits inside the iron have steamed and are coming out.
Instead of citric acid, use a soda-vinegar solution.To do this, dilute 2 tablespoons of soda and 1 tablespoon of 9% vinegar in a glass of hot water. The further procedure is similar to cleaning using a citric acid solution.
You can also dilute Anti-Scalp in water, which is sold in any store in the household chemicals department. It fights scale and salt deposits very effectively. After such a “bath”, the iron needs to be dried for several hours. To do this, you should place it with your nose up and just wait until all the parts dry naturally.
Rusty stains on the sole of the iron also indicate that it is dirty from the inside. Therefore, at the first appearance of them, you should immediately descale the iron using a method suitable for this device.
The sole itself can be cleaned of traces of scale using hydrogen peroxide, which can be found in every home medicine cabinet. Soak a cotton swab in the peroxide solution and wipe the contaminated surface with it. The most severe stains can be removed by applying a cloth soaked in peroxide to them. After a couple of hours, wipe the sole of the iron with the same cloth.
Ways to prevent scale formation
You can reduce the formation of scale inside the water tank by using boiled or distilled water. But when distilled water is poured into the iron, poor steam formation occurs. Therefore, it is advisable to mix it with regular tap water. You can find out which water is suitable for your iron by carefully reading the instructions. After each ironing, all water remaining in the tank must be drained.
A magnetic water converter will help you forget about scale forever. This is a small device in which water molecules are subjected to a strong magnetic field.What contributes to the change in the properties of water. Hard water salts lose their ability to settle on the heating elements of devices.
To ensure that the iron serves for many years, it is enough to inspect it once every six months for scale and deposits and, if necessary, remove them in time.
