How to descale iron?

The more family members, the more laundry. The more washing, the more you have to iron. As a result, the steam model of the iron does not withstand the load: instead of steam, water splashes with particles of scale appear, and the sole from a smooth one turns into a kind of sandpaper of an incomprehensible color. A fair question arises: how to save the iron and clean it from scale?

To understand how to clean the iron, you need to understand the question of what scale is and why it is formed.

The scale consists of solid insoluble salt deposits (mainly potassium and magnesium). These deposits appear in the process of boiling water and its evaporation, and only salts remain inside the tank.

A layer of hard salts inside the iron leads to low thermal conductivity. A dirty iron works 10 times worse than a clean one. In addition, over time, particles of scale fall off from the internal surfaces and settle in the steam holes, clogging them, or leave the iron together with the steam, settling on clothes. This leads to stains on the fabric.

But the sole itself can cause dirty clothes. This can happen due to rust that has appeared inside the iron, or due to the negligent attitude of the hostess to her unit. Improper use causes the fabric to stick to the sole.

If the sole still requires cleaning, then this can be done using professional chemical or home remedies.

Professional special cleaning tools for iron soles include:

• Cillit for irons - a cleaning product of the middle price category. To use it, you need to turn on the iron and heat it to maximum temperature, then disconnect the device from the network. Turn the unit upside down. Cillit is applied to the steam holes and left for 15 minutes. Dirt protruding from the holes can be washed with a soft, lint-free cloth. The iron is washed inside and out.
• Top house - German tool for the protection of metal products. It effectively cleans heaters both from the inside and the outside.
• Special pencils for cleaning Iron surfaces may have different names, but the principle of their action is the same. To use it, you need to prepare an old fabric, on which a melted pencil will flow. The appliance is heated to medium temperature and turned upside down. Using a pencil, they carefully "paint" the surface. A very sharp unpleasant odor comes from the molten product, so the room should be ventilated. As soon as the carbon begins to melt under the action of a pencil, it is erased with an unnecessary cloth, turning off the iron. If carbon deposits get into the holes, they are also rubbed with a tool, the iron is turned over and the steaming function is turned on - dirt under the action of steam flies out of the holes.

• Any wiper convenient to use to clean the base. Using a spray gun, a liquid containing ammonia is applied to the base. It gets into the holes to remove steam, destroying the scale.
• Strong soot is cleaned dishwashing powder. But you need to be careful not to scratch the surface.

Home methods include tools that are in most homes:

• Salt is distributed on paper in a thin layer. To speed up the process, you can add a little grated paraffin wax. This iron is ironed repeatedly with a hot iron. Dirt from the sole sticks to salt and paraffin. This product cannot be cleaned with Teflon-coated irons.
• Ammonia is used as follows: an unnecessary piece of cloth is moistened with ammonia and rubbed on the sole. Then they heat the appliance and iron the fabric. All soot remains on the fabric. If necessary, repeat the procedure. Caution! Ammonia emits a pungent odor.
• 9% table vinegar is used instead of ammonia.
• Also, vinegar can be used in the following way: they impregnate unnecessary rags, folded in several layers. The iron is heated to a temperature of max level, turned off and left on the fabric. After complete cooling, the base is wiped with a soft, lint-free cloth. Steam vents can be cleaned with cotton buds or toothpicks.

• You can try to clean the burnt fabric from a very hot iron with a wooden spatula. Do not use metal or plastic tools.
• Slurry of soda with water is applied to the cold base of the device. Do not touch for several minutes. After a short time, the mixture is washed off, and the sole is wiped with a dry soft cloth.
• In a deep baking sheet or basin with a wide bottom, put a few bars (wooden, metal or from the constructor lego). A device disconnected from the power supply is placed on the bars so that the nose of the iron is lower than the back (heel). A solution of hot water and citric acid is poured into a baking sheet (basin) (20 grams of lemon are enough for such a bath). Water should cover only the sole. The appliance is left in this state for about 60-90 minutes.

With a large amount of scale, the structure is placed on a gas stove and a sufficiently high temperature of the water is maintained with a low fire. After an hour and a half, a steam valve is pressed several times.The surface is washed with running water, dried with a cloth. You can use the iron in a day. Ironing begins with old unnecessary fabric.

The same bath can be made not with citric acid, but with table vinegar. The solution will consist of 1 liter of water, combined with 2 glasses of 9% vinegar.

For severe contamination, it is recommended to use several products at the same time: 2 tablespoons of soda, 1, 5 tablespoons of citric acid and 1 tablespoon of vinegar are diluted with a small amount of water and fill the bath.

Vinegar and ammonia mixed in equal proportions remove yellow spots from the ironing surface. The mixture is poured in a small amount onto a rag and rubbed on the sole. If this is not enough, then the fabric is completely impregnated with the composition, after which it is ironed.

150 ml of hot water, 3 teaspoons of liquid dishwashing liquid, 3 teaspoons of ammonia, 2 teaspoons of lemons and 2 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide are mixed, applied to a metal base, turning the appliance upside down on a handle. The mixture should remain on the base for half an hour, after which it is washed off.

If soot is obtained by contact with synthetic fiber, then it can be removed with nail polish remover.

Hydrogen peroxide applied to the surface with a cotton pad will wipe off a little pollution. If the deposit is strong, then you need to put the iron on a cloth dipped in a pharmacy, and leave it for 2 hours. Then iron the unwanted fabric with a hot appliance. Instead of peroxide, you can use tableted hydroperite. The warmed base is rubbed with tablets. For safety, use tweezers. During operation, a sharp repulsive odor will appear.

Equal shares of soda and toothpaste are mixed and applied to the base and metal sidewalls. After drying, remove with a damp cloth and then wash thoroughly. The usual 72% laundry soap will also help the iron. They need to grate the hot sole and leave the appliance to cool completely. With a wet towel, the soap is thoroughly washed off the surface.

According to the principle of a pencil, an ordinary paraffin candle acts from scale. On a hot sole conduct a candle, after which the appliance is disconnected from the network. After cooling, pieces of paraffin are carefully removed from the surface. Wash the iron well so that the rest of the paraffin does not get on clothes.

To clean the inside of the appliance "Antinakipin". The contents of the ampoule are diluted in 200 ml of water, poured into the device and turn it on. When it has warmed up, it is turned off and the iron is put on the base, after an hour or two, the liquid is drained. If after washing with ordinary water it becomes clear that the appliance has been completely cleaned, then the iron is left in a horizontal position for a while. In advanced cases, the procedure with "Anti-scale" is repeated.

Green & clean - a tool based on natural natural acids. Unique formula Bioklean It is developed on the basis of these acids. Green & Clean gently dissolves and eliminates scale, leaving the surface of the iron intact. It has a cleaning and disinfecting effect on the appliance. The product has a transparent color and a mild odor.

According to the instructions, pour 200 ml into the tank without dilution with water. Heat the iron and press the steam release button. According to users, at this moment, a lot of scale and dirt really comes out with the steam. But all this is accompanied by a very strong pungent odor.Therefore, you can use the tool only outside the living room. According to the instructions, after the tank is completely empty, it must be washed twice with water, letting off steam. But actually it has to be done for several days. Thus, the tool copes with limescale, but at the same time causes great inconvenience to users.

And about the tool Magic power buyers respond very well. An inexpensive product does its job perfectly, splitting the scale from the inside and cleaning the holes for the release of steam.

Popular German industrial products (Topperr, Bosch, Filtero 605) are used equally often. Before use, it is important to read the instructions before use. They all have similar application rules:

1. 3 parts of water are combined with 1 part of the product;
2. pour the solution into the tank;
3. turn on the device in max mode;
4. after full warming off;
5. the iron is left in a horizontal position for 2 hours;
6. the product is poured and washed a couple of times with plain water;
7. the cleanliness of the tank is checked by steam release before ironing.

Manufacturers offer sets for descaling inside and cleaning the soles. It's comfortable. Thus, a full cleaning can be carried out in one day, without looking for additional funds. An example of such a set is Optima Plus. User experience shows that it is better to use this tool without adding water.

The product is poured into the tank, the iron heats up, after which the device takes a horizontal position. Optima Plus's iron flushing process can take up to several hours.

To clean the iron inside with home remedies is also possible:

• Mineral water is poured into the appliance. The iron is turned on and heated at full capacity. Shaking and releasing steam alternately, the reservoir is free of scale. Then the procedure is repeated using ordinary water.
• Citric acid will help break down the scale inside. To do this, 25 g of acid is diluted in a glass of hot water and poured into the tank. The included iron is shaken several times, alternating with pressing the steam release button. It’s better to do it on capacity. Re-pouring is carried out with plain water. Then iron the unnecessary fabric so that there are no traces on good things.
• When using vinegar, use its solution with water in a ratio of 1: 1, which is poured into the device. Be careful with a pungent odor.

Many manufacturers have equipped modern steam irons with a self-clean function. Each appliance has detailed instructions, including self-cleaning. Before you begin, you must be familiar with it. Usually it includes the following steps:

1. Fill the tank with water and turn on at maximum temperature.
2. Heat and turn off the appliance.
3. When cooling the soles, turn on the device again and heat to the maximum.
4. Disconnect and press the self-clean button, holding the iron over the container. It is better if it is not a sink, otherwise it will have to be cleaned of scale.
5. During heating, the appliance can be shaken and tilted slightly.
6. After emptying the tank, it is filled with plain water and washed.
7. The sole is rubbed off from the scum.

Electrical appliances from German manufacturers Bosch, Braun, Tefal are equipped with an anti-lime stem and a safety valve. They require special care:

1. Before cleaning, turn off the iron and drain the water from the tank.
2. The steam key should be in the up position.
3. Gently pull on the key without touching the bottom of the valve.
4. Put the part in a solution of vinegar or lemon until the limescale separates from the rod.
5. Wash off any remaining lime fragments with a brush with natural or artificial hair bristles.
6. Wash the shaft with running water.
7. The rod should be cleaned once a month.

To clean steam generators with filters from limescale, you can not use vinegar, chemicals. The filter is washed with a solution of a special liquid from lime in combination with water. It is offered on condition of after-sales service.

Bosch and Siemens manufacturers offer to neutralize scale with an integrated system equipped with a cassette with granules that replace positive Ca and Mn ions with negative ones. The developers of the system assure of its operability throughout the entire period of operation of the iron.

Scale is often fought with acids and caustic substances. Since the iron is close to the hands and face during operation, the vapors of these components can get on the skin. Therefore, when cleaning the appliance basic precautions must be followed:

• It is recommended to use gloves (preferably cloth, to protect your hands from burns), a medical or tissue mask, and protective glasses.
• The room should be well ventilated. The best option is to make manipulations on the balcony or street.
• The face should be as far away as possible from the sole when releasing steam.
• Small children and animals must not be in the room during cleaning.
• To avoid damage to the work surface, floor and things, when working with a pencil, paraffin should have a rag on hand so that the spent material drips onto it.

Cleaning the iron is not a very difficult or long task. But it can be avoided by using prophylactic agents:

• Inspect the anti-lime rod once a month.
• Check the sole with holes for steam to exit every six months for signs of scale.
• Specialists of Braun, Bosch, Bork, Filips, Tefal, Kerher recommend pouring running water into the tank in combination with distilled (1: 1).
• The use of only distilled water leads to a deterioration in the formation of steam and damage to the inner surface of the appliance.
• When completing work, be sure to pour the liquid out of the tank.
• The sole of the appliance must be kept clean, as well as the steam outlet.

See how to clean the iron from the inside of the iron in the next video.