Green algae in steam iron

F_Bear

currently got a mid range phillips steam iron that we've had for about a year.

as we've only used tap water (in a hard water area) the water tank has a green tint to it that looks like algae.

is there anyway to get rid of it??

keystone

Vinegar in a 50/50 mix with water (water in first, neat vinegar to top up). Heat iron up to full temp and leave for approx 15 - 20 mins. Allow to cool down. refill with clean water and rerun heat/cool cycle. Repeat. Test iron on piece of cloth that doesn't matter just in case any gunk comes out. Redo the clean water heat/cool cycle until all is clear.

No doubt someone will come up with a chemical solution (pardon the pun) but this me old mum's method.

Cheers

suzeesu2000

Good old vinegar! Brilliant stuff. I have had my ancient steam iron for 20years, have only ever used hard tap water and only ever used vinegar to clean it with.

I do use the vinegar neat on the first go though, heat iron up, fill water tank with neat vinegar, make sure it's standing on the draining board, plate down, so that the vinegar can dribble through the steam holes in the plate. Then leave it for a couple of hours.

Empty, fill with water, heat up and iron something from the rag bag as loads of gunk will probably come out!! :eek: then just flush through a couple of times until you can't smell vinegar in the steam.

Works for the kettle too....and the washing machine....:T

lollipopsarah

Try using boiled water from the kettle in the iron.
As for cleaning, yep I agree with vinegar or a cheapo descaler.
Can anyone help me get the dark brown stuff off the iron without scraching please,
xx

F_Bear

cheers for the replys.

OH will give it a go and i'll let u know how we get on

Yorkie1

Do you store the iron so that the water chamber is open to light?

If so, once you've cleaned the iron as suggested above, then keep it in the dark as light will encourage the algae to grow.