Misbehaving Iron

cazs

My iron (Philps steam iron recommended by Which Magazine) is being a pain.

It seems to be picking up, or burning maybe, on something and then a black residue is left on the bottom of the iron and this is transferring onto the clothes that I'm ironing. Howveer, I've not got any burnt clothes so not sure where the burnt residue if that's what it is is coming from.

Secondly, I can't seem to get rid of the calcium deposits. It keeps having little brown flakes come out of the iron whilst ironing. I assume it's calcium deposit (London hard water area) - the iron does have a Calc-Clean function where you put it on that setting and slosh it back and forward but the flakes don't come out, they just stay stuck in the holes.

What is an effective way to deal with these things?

Thanks

pimento

You should use distilled water for your steam iron or resign yourself to replacing them regularly.

The residue is probably because you're using too hot a setting and it's taking the surface off something without it being noticed. It might even be the fabric conditioner on the newly washed clothes.

Ben84

I've always used very hard tap water in my iron and it's over 30 years old now. However, I do descale it. Citric acid is the best stuff I've tried, make a strong hot solution, fill up the iron and place it metal plate down on the draining board so the solution drips through. Pushing the steam button helps the water progress through. You should see milky white water dripping out as the scale dissolves. Repeat with plain water to wash the acid out.

As for the dirty plate, it's probably from ironing plastic fabrics too hot and some of their surface melting and sticking to the iron. The item it came from may not look damaged as it's just the surface fluff. Acetone (easily found as cheap nail polish remover - just check the label to make sure it's acetone based) usually takes this off easily. Just apply with an old cotton cloth to a cold iron and rub until it goes from the iron to the cloth. It's safe for the aluminium plate, but avoid getting it on painted or plastic parts as it may damage these. The reason for the cotton cloth and keeping away from plastic/painted parts is because it dissolves plastics - which is why it's useful for this task. If you apply it with a plastic cloth you may just make a bigger melted plastic mess.

daveyjp

Effective way is to bin it and buy a steam generator iron and use distilled water. You will never dry out a normal iron completely before packing away, the residue water is what causes the brown staining to be blown put of the holes.

Innys

I used to have this problem and so now I simply don't bother with a steam iron.

I just briefly spray my clothes with plain old tap water I keep in a water spray bottle before I use my iron on it. Yes, it's more hassle, but there's no risk of the clothes becoming stained brown.

cazs

Ben84 wrote: »

I've always used very hard tap water in my iron and it's over 30 years old now. However, I do descale it. Citric acid is the best stuff I've tried, make a strong hot solution, fill up the iron and place it metal plate down on the draining board so the solution drips through. Pushing the steam button helps the water progress through. You should see milky white water dripping out as the scale dissolves. Repeat with plain water to wash the acid out.

As for the dirty plate, it's probably from ironing plastic fabrics too hot and some of their surface melting and sticking to the iron. The item it came from may not look damaged as it's just the surface fluff. Acetone (easily found as cheap nail polish remover - just check the label to make sure it's acetone based) usually takes this off easily. Just apply with an old cotton cloth to a cold iron and rub until it goes from the iron to the cloth. It's safe for the aluminium plate, but avoid getting it on painted or plastic parts as it may damage these. The reason for the cotton cloth and keeping away from plastic/painted parts is because it dissolves plastics - which is why it's useful for this task. If you apply it with a plastic cloth you may just make a bigger melted plastic mess.

I will try this. Thanks