How to descale the iron inside and remove plaque from the outside?

For steam irons, calcareous sediment is a common problem. Therefore, it is useful for every housewife to know how to clean the iron from scale inside and out. Manufacturers give clear recommendations in this regard. Some devices have a self-cleaning function, and special chemicals are also available. It was not without folk wisdom: many have adapted to clean the iron with improvised means such as citric acid, salt, vinegar. Consider all possible ways to clean the device from plaque.

Manufacturer's Recommendations

Today, irons are mostly steam. This means that they are prone to scale formation. When heated, the salts contained in the water turn into solid calcareous deposits. They settle on the walls inside the device, on the heating element, clog holes, contaminate the sole. As a result, the iron overheats and may one day break. And limescale flies out when steam is supplied and clothes get dirty. In any case, you need to get rid of it, but it is important to do it correctly.

Iron manufacturers have long been puzzled by the fight against scale. To eliminate it, the “Self clean” function was invented and a filter was built in to collect sedimentary salts from water.

"Self clean" is an automated system for cleaning the inside of modern steam irons. How to use it?

1. Fill the iron with distilled water to the top.
2. Plug in the power.
3. Set the heating temperature to maximum.
4. Hot water will help to descend.
5. After the indicator goes off (the device warms up), unplug the iron.
6. Bring the iron to the sink or place the sole down over a wide basin.
7. Hold and hold the “Self clean” button until all the water, along with scale and dirt, flows out (it will pour out of the sole).
8. Shake the iron periodically gently so that the scale does not stagnate anywhere and all comes out completely.
9. The process may be accompanied by episodic steam release - this is a variant of the norm.
10. After completing the procedure, the iron must be heated and the sole soled over unnecessary lint-free matter to remove residual scale that could linger on the surface.

The procedure is carried out as needed. Heavily dirty iron can be cleaned 2 times in a row for accuracy.

Also, in a critical situation, manufacturers allow the use of special cleaning agents:

• Glutoclean;
• Toperr;
• "Antinakipin";
• Sano Antikalk Kettle;
• Astonish
• chemical pencil, etc.

The packaging should be marked "for iron." These same products are equally suitable for cleaning a steam generator, coffee machine, kettle.

Before using chemistry, be sure to look into the instructions that came with the device. For example, Tefal irons and many others with a self-cleaning system prohibit the use of chemicals for cleaning inside.

Special cleaners

If the manufacturer allows the use of chemicals, you should choose the appropriate tool in the department with household chemicals. They are mainly used for devices without the self-cleaning function. A caustic agent dissolves salts, and particles are easily washed off with water.

Cleaning the iron is as follows:

1. The selected product is dissolved in hot water according to the dosage on the package.
2. The solution is poured into the water tank (it must first be emptied).
3. The water inlet is left open for caustic gas.
4. After 5 minutes, the solution is drained, and the iron is filled with clean water three times (washed).

This method does not require connecting the device to power. But if you need to remove scale from the holes, the product is diluted with cold water, poured into the device, turn it on, setting the temperature to no more than 60 degrees, and periodically press the steam release button. You need to hold it without fail with the sole down over the pelvis. After 5 minutes, the liquid is drained and the reservoir is washed 2-3 times. After the procedure, the sole is wiped on an unnecessary cloth to remove residual scale.

When using chemistry, you should protect your skin and respiratory tract by wearing rubber gloves and a mask. It is necessary to handle the product with extreme care so as not to get a burn.

How to clean the filter?

Each iron has its own design. Many manufacturers (Braun, Moulinex and others) have provided a special filter for anti-scale protection - the anti-lime rod Anti Calc. It retains salts and other sediment and prevents scale formation. But the filter itself must be cleaned without fail - manufacturers recommend doing it every month.

Use the following instructions to clean the filter:

1. Take the cooled iron, pull the brackets and pull out the bar. Take it only by the edges.
2. Place the filter in a glass filled with table white vinegar, lemon juice or a special descaler.
3. Wait 4–5 hours (5–10 minutes when using a chemical), and then rinse the filter under the tap.
4. Insert the spare part back into the device.

Special pencil

The most affordable and effective remedy for soot on the sole of the iron is a chemical pencil. It does not contain abrasive particles and does not scratch the coating, while removing even the most old spots. Suitable for Teflon, ceramic, metal and other soles.

A special pencil consists of caustic acids and is produced by several companies:

• Selena (the most budget, price - 20 rubles);
• BON;
• Magic Power
• Toperr;
• Hg.

Using the tool is simple:

1. Heat the iron to 135 degrees (for silk and wool), or mark “2”.
2. Place it on a leg vertically and slowly draw a pencil from top to bottom. The tool will begin to melt, washing off the soot.
3. After removing all dirt, wipe the sole with a cloth of cotton.

A melted pencil can leave burns on the skin, so you need to carefully clean the iron with it. It is also necessary to open windows in the room: when cleaning the room there will be a "smoke screen" with a strong smell of ammonia.

Folk recipes for cleaning iron

Many relate to caustic chemistry with caution. And sometimes the iron needs to be cleaned urgently, and there is simply no time to run to the store. There is an exit! There are many recipes for cleaning the device inside and out with improvised means.

At home, acids are most often used to clean the iron: lemon, vinegar. But you can achieve the desired purity with the help of soda, soda, toothpaste. Here are the most popular folk iron cleaning methods.

How to clean the iron from scale inside?

Homemade iron cleaners are used in the same way as chemical cleaners. Only the waiting time differs. It takes more time for vinegar or citric acid to work and begin to dissolve plaque. Of course, they do not work as efficiently, but they are not dangerous for the internal parts of the device.

Vinegar

Acidic medium promotes the dissolution of limescale. To clean the iron inside, you will need 9% table vinegar (colorless). It is necessary to dilute it in half with water. Then proceed as follows:

1. Pour the vinegar solution into the water compartment.
2. Turn on and heat the iron.
3. Turn off the power.
4. Let it stand for 15-30 minutes.
5. Heat the appliance again and let off steam 5–7 times.
6. Now the solution can be drained and the tank rinsed with clean water.

Lemon acid

Lemon acts like vinegar and also removes lime deposits.

To clean the iron, use a hot solution:

1. Pour a bag of citric acid (25 g) into a mug of boiling water.
2. Stir and let the crystals dissolve completely.
3. Pour hot solution into the water compartment.
4. Turn on the iron and set to maximum temperature.
5. Wait 10-15 minutes - during this time a chemical reaction will occur, and the coating will soften.
6. Press the steam release button several times to clean the holes.
7. Pour the solution and then rinse the compartment with clean water.

Soda

Mineral water also removes plaque well. It easily penetrates the steam holes and channels of the device. For cleaning, a highly carbonated mineral water with a pH level of less than 7 is suitable - Essentuki No. 17, narzan sulfate.

Instructions for use:

1. Fill the water tank with soda.
2. Connect the device to power and heat up as much as possible.
3. Turn off and wait half an hour.
4. Heat the iron again and let off steam several times.
5. Drain the liquid with pieces of plaque, repeat the procedure if necessary.

How to clean the sole?

You can remove lime deposits by the same folk remedies that are used for internal cleaning. The iron is heated, and then the sole is wiped with a cotton cloth moistened with a solution.

But with carbon deposits the situation is more complicated. Often he sticks firmly to the sole and does not rub off anything. It is important not to rush to try all the ways.

Irons with Teflon-coated soles are strictly forbidden to clean with abrasives. Hard brushes, hard particles, salt, toothpaste, hydrogen peroxide are prohibited.

Vinegar and soda

Acids in vinegar corrode dirt. The process is enhanced at high temperature and chemical reaction with soda. With undiluted vinegar, the hot sole of the iron is rubbed.

You can use the following method:

1. Put the iron to heat.
2. Take a waffle towel, put on something hard and sprinkle it with plenty of soda.
3. Turn off the preheated iron and pour the sole on the table with vinegar.
4. Iron a towel sprinkled with soda.
5. Foam will actively stand out. This is normal, with it plaque and carbon deposits will go away.

Salt

This method was also used by our grandmothers. To get rid of soot on the sole, they stroked salt. You need to understand that this method is only suitable for "ancient" irons without a protective coating on the sole.

Cleaning takes place like this: you need to heat the iron to the limit and walk it on the salt (preferably grinding "Extra") several times. Underneath you should put paper without printing or cotton.

Toothpaste

This is a cold cleaning method that is suitable for Teflon-free metal surfaces.

The sole should be covered with a layer of toothpaste and left for half an hour. Then you need to arm yourself with an old toothbrush and actively rub the place of contamination. When the carbon deposit is removed, the iron is wiped with a damp cloth and left to dry.

Peroxide

As you know, carbon deposits on the sole of the iron are scorched particles of tissue, protein pollution. Hydrogen peroxide dissolves them.

To clean the surface, use the following instructions:

1. Dampen cotton pads in a 3% solution of peroxide.
2. Put them as a compress on the sole.
3. After 15 minutes, rub the dirty areas with a brush.

Laundry soap

With fresh dirt, ordinary brown soap helps very well. The heated iron is carefully rubbed with a block, making sure that the soap does not clog the holes. Then the device is turned off. After cooling, wipe it with a damp cloth soaked in hot water.

How to avoid the accumulation of scale?

To deal with the problem of dirty iron as little as possible, preventive measures should be taken. They consist in observing 5 rules:

1. Fill the steam iron with exclusively distilled water. It does not contain salts and does not leave limescale.
2. After finishing ironing, pour out the remaining water and leave the hole open to dry out any remaining moisture.
3. Observe the temperature regime for different types of fabrics.
4. Use gauze to iron delicate items.
5. After each use, wipe the cooled sole with a damp, soft cloth.

So, planning to clean the iron, first of all, you should look at the instructions and familiarize yourself with the manufacturer's recommendations. Follow the instructions and be careful about the technique. Carry out regular cleaning, then the iron will please you with good operation for a long service life.