my iron is stinky

bindiboo

hi

I usually use an ironing water (vaporesse or asda) and have noticed lately that my iron reeks (smells like wee) and the smell transfers into the clothes. It is really bugging me. I have reverted to plain water to try and clear smell, would using some water and vinegar deoderise it and has anyone else had the same problem?

ericthekidstoner

think vingear would make it worse... vinegar vapour is horrible imho (not like the smell from chip shop!)

can't think what the smell might be apart from somet (fungy like) growing in the iron.

I've never used ironing water - always tap, so I sometimes get probs with hardness and limescale, but no smell

suggest you get a new iron (sorry for not being more helpful)

wait, wat about a dettol solution????

tawnyowls

I must admit, I hate the smell of all those products. I had a similar problem, and I reckon it must be that they supply a better breeding ground for bugs. Vinegar might help (and it won't stay around after it's been rinsed out) - the other thing that might work is a solution of bicarbonate of soda. Be careful what you use, though - you need to make sure that anything you do use won't corrode the metal.

In future, a drop of lavender or citrus essential oil in the ironing water should be enough to scent it, without causing problems. A drop of tea-tree along with it will bump off any bugs.

Be_Happy

Haven't had the problem with an iron, but did have with steam cleaner. Company diagnosed problem as my not being careful enough about emptying out all water after use. Water left in cleaner was causing damage and smell. Could this be same for your iron. Cure for cleaner was servicing by company but sorry don't know what the cure would be for an iron. Is it still under guarantee?

bindiboo

hi i have used a descaler solution in my iron so gonna see if that has shifted it and yes guilty as charged i never empty out any remaining water in the tank:o