how do i descale steam generator iron

scampo

We would never go back to ordinary irons. The steam generator irons are so much better at removing creases and roughly halve the ironing time (at least a third in time saving - and much more satisfying); also the iron itself is so much lighter to hold and thus less tiring.

Over the past ten years, we have worked through one Tefal that eventually gave out too much brown scale despite cleaning, and then onto a Philips, and today to another new Philips.

The second Philips easily outdid the Tefal in weight and performance, but I suspect the newer Tefals are its equal. However, a new kind of Philips steam generator iron has just been launched and it took our interest. Instead of a convoluted performance to descale the appliance, all that's needed is inserting a small anti-calc filter, which you do have to buy separately. When this is worn out, a buzzer and light flash. At that point, you have to change to a new filter, or use only demineralised water (the iron automatically detects this).

I understand that - at last - through this filter, Philips has solved the hard-water / scale problems that, if manufacturers are honest, beset these products and, up to now, Philips is unique in doing so. The iron, the Philips Pure Steam GC7619 is, to our surprise, very reasonably priced for a steam generator at £129.95 (John Lewis). It has a five year warranty against scale, which really says it all; and a two-year warranty on the iron itself.

We used it today for the first time and it worked brilliantly. It is attractive, lightweight and sleek, even quiet. We're very pleased indeed - well done Mr Philips!


I'm now going to risk using our coffee-machine descaler liquid in the old Philips and then flush through well. I phoned Philips and they said that you do need to be descaled but that I need to use their own descaler product. They gave me a phone number to ring. I haven't done this but yet might as I suspect there's a risk in using another product.

A.Penny.Saved

For de-scaling I use citric acid. It has always worked very well and fairly inexpensive. Just keep a bag of it and use it as needed to de-scale kettles, irons and anything which needs dirt and scale removing. Heat helps a lot so it works very well for kettles and irons.

LemonK

I agree with you scampo. I love my steam generator and I will never go back to a normal iron. I personally use a recent Tefal that have an anti scale collector that you can empty when the light indicator tells you it's full. I saw the new Philips Perfect care pure and I think they really look lovely but they aren't real steam generators. Apparently Philips claim that their appliance use 5 bar pressure but in fact the steam is not pressurized. A steam generator is usually build with a boiler system that allows the steam to come out of the iron. But in the Phillips Perfect care pure no boiler is inside. Plus having to buy and replace the cartridge every 3 months seems like a hassle to me.

AnnieO1234

If you google Bosch steam generator clean, there is a video produced by. Bosch, I would imagine most are the same. The one thing that is crystal clear is that you should not be adding vinegar, citric acid or any other compound suggested in this thread.

Xxx

Brittney_Luder

Try using Durgol is made by the Swiss but you can get it over here. Just do a search for Durgol Limescale remover. It really works.

anthonym46

I have a Swan SI4030N steam generator iron and no steam is coming out of the iron but a lot of steam is coming out of the base unit from the vents...also the pipe/hose near the base unit is getting very hot were as at the iron end of the hose is still warm and I have read comments on here that this could mean there is either an airlock or blockage of some kind and if you "elbow feed the steam" this will sort that problem..can someone please explain to me what and how you "elbow feed" the steam and also if anyone can help with any other solutions to solve my problems above i would be most grateful...just to add this steam iron comes with a limescale filter which goes in the water tank and I've ordered a new one of these.
many thanks anthony