how do I clean out an electric steam iron?

Question

the steam wont work any more;

Answer 1

CLR. Sold in Wal-mart, etc.

Answer 2

Clean Steam Iron

Answer 3

For a severely blocked iron you should use vinegar. You can use either white(distilled) or cider vinegar. That is your choice. whichever you have on hand.

Fill the iron with the vinegar and set the temperature on a steam setting. Allow a few minutes for the iron to get up to temperature and then hold the iron over an old towel and move it forward and backward as you would when ironing. Move the steam selector turning the steam on and off several times until steam starts to come out of the holes in the sole plate. There may be some sputtering and spraying going on so be cautious and keep yourself clear so you do not get burned.

During this procedure move the selector for the steam and dry settings several times to break up the sediment surrounding the pin and opening inside the iron where the water runs into the sole plate.

There will be some mineral deposits coming out of the iron through the steam holes and it can be wiped off onto the towel occasionally.

When the steam is flowing out of the holes in a good steady flow and no more deposits are coming out you are done.

After allowing the iron to cool you can dump the vinegar out and give it a quick rinse and you are ready to do your ironing with steam again.

It is recommended to use distilled water(can be bought at the supermarket by the gallon) to prevent the clogging.

Answer 4

Your question was asked and answered three weeks ago. If you search Yahoo Answers under clean iron, 15 answers show up. This answer was chosen "Best" by the person that asked it. I cannot take credit for it...just passing on very easy to get information. What is the best way to clean an iron bottom? I used the vertical steamer on my iron (it's a new one and it's the first time I've used it) and now it has some kind of crusty stuff on the rim (which also left an impression on the shirt). I can't find the owner's manual. I think it got tossed. Answered by Jenova 3 weeks ago Best Answer - Chosen By Voters The best way to clean an iron is to pour some salt crystals on a piece of paper. Heat up the iron and then iron the paper with the salt as if you were ironing a shirt, or use the affected area you want removed and iron it accordingly. The salt will scrub off the crust or the burnt stuff on the surface.

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
how do I clean out an electric steam iron?
the steam wont work any more;

Answer 6

Believe it or not I use the same product that is made to clean electric coffee machines. When I clean the coffee machine, I save some of the solution out and put it in the steam iron. You then let it sit and flush it out several times. Works wonderfully.

Answer 7

Plug the iron in and set it to the steam setting. Fill the reservoir with white vinegar. Allow the iron to completely empty the reservoir. Then with distilled water (found at the supermarket or at larger pharmacies) fill and flush the reservoir a few times. If you use the distilled water instead of tap water, you will eliminate the buildup of lime and calcium in the future.

Answer 8

fill it with water, add 1 teaspoon of vinegar, put a flat stick thru the hanlde that is long enough to cross the span of your kitchen sink.I usually use a yardstick(meter stick) place over the sink , plug it in & set it to steam. tip it upright every once in awhile then tip back down. continue til the vinegar/water solution is done. wipe off the sediment that shoots onto the bottom of the iron with a dry cloth when the iron is cool enough( thats how I clean my iron)

Answer 9

Vinegar preferrably white vinegar. Put this in your iron and hopefully this will work other then that you may have to buy a new iron. Hope this works for you!

Answer 10

Flush it out with vinegar which will dissolve the buildup of calcium on the elements when heated. Then give it a good rinse out with water. To prevent the calcium buildup, use bottled water instead of tap water.

Answer 11

White vinegar sometimes work, however, your iron is probably over 8-9yrs old. Get a new one and save yourself all that trouble.