iron - hardwater area

oligeo

I seem to go through irons at a rate of 1 a year. The water here is really hard, and the irons start spitting brown gunk over our clothes, I do use that descaler stuff to try and eek them out a bit longer.
My current iron has had it, and as I've got a currys voucher I thought I'd use it on a new iron. I've heard that Tefal are about the best in hard water areas. I was wondering if there's anything I can do to prolong the life of the next one? I usually just use tap water, should I boil it in the kettle first? Or does using hot tap water as opposed to cold tap water make a difference?

Many thanks,
Sarah

Linda32

Hi,

These a thread further down about ironing water if thats of any interest, mind you you've probably found that by now

We live in a hard water area as well and I get through irons pretty quickly.

I know what you mean about the brown gunk. OH's Mother uses her steam iron as a dry iron and just sprays anything that needs spraying, seems to work for her.

She is obscessed with getting peg marks out of the clothes as well, so steam irons must still work as dry irons.

Dippypud

You shouldn't put tap water into an iron anyway...

there are a few irons that say they can take tap water, but even they will 'scale-up' after awhile.

You should use demineralized or filtered water...

http://www.uksteamirons.co.uk/ironing-tips.php

there that should help you decide if you have more money than you need...

and keep buying irons every year...:(

oligeo

Thanks for the link, I don't have more money than I need, hence I'm asking for advice. I only spend about £20 on an iron, maybe I should spend more then they would last longer.

Own_My_Own

I live in a hard water area, and have stopped putting water in my iron altogether.
I have a water spray bottle and lightly spray the clothes before ironing.

bossymoo

Hi also make sure you drain it well after each use. This can help avoid the grot in the holes, at least for a little longer.

Gingernutty

De-ionised water is best - you can get it from car accessories suppliers. Boiled water from a kettle is next best.

coldcazzie

Dippypud wrote: »

You shouldn't put tap water into an iron anyway...

You should use demineralized or filtered water...

^^this. If you've got a dehumidfier - try using the water out of that. If someone you know has one, ask them for the water from it. Failing that, you can buy DI water from petrol stations/halfords.

Softstuff

I live in a hard water area and bought a Morphy Richards iron that said it was self cleaning and could take tap water (my previous iron died after a year). This one has been going for 4 1/2 years and it only ever has tap water in it. It goes as well as it did when I bought it.