How to clean the iron from scale?

The more family members, the more washing. 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, there are splashes of water with particles of scale, and the sole turns from smooth into a kind of emery paper of an incomprehensible color. A fair question arises: how to save an iron and clean it from scale?

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

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. Dirty iron works 10 times worse than clean. In addition, over time, particles of scale fall off from the internal surfaces and settle in the holes for steam, littering them, or leave the iron together with the steam, settling on the clothes. This leads to stains on the fabric.

But the sole itself can cause soiled clothes. This may occur due to rust that has appeared inside the iron, or due to the careless attitude of the hostess to her unit. Improper use causes the fabric to adhere to the sole.

If the sole still needs cleaning, then this can be done with the help of professional chemicals or home remedies.

Professional special cleaning means for the sole of the iron include:

• Cillit for irons - a cleaner of an average price category. To use it, you need to turn on the iron and heat it to the maximum temperature, then disconnect the device from the mains. Turn unit upside down. Cillit is applied to the vapor holes and left for 15 minutes. Dirt that has protruded from the holes can be washed with a soft, lint-free cloth. Iron washed inside and out.
• Top house - German remedy for the protection of metal products. It effectively cleans the heaters both inside and out.
• Special cleaning pencils Iron surfaces may have different names, but the principle of their action is the same. To use it, you need to prepare an old cloth on which the melted pencil will flow. The appliance is heated to medium temperature and turned upside down. Pencil carefully "paint" the surface. A very strong unpleasant odor emanates from the molten product, so the room must 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 soot fell into the holes, they are also rubbed with a tool, turn the iron and turn on the steam function - dirt under the influence of steam flies out of the holes.

• Any wiper convenient to use to clean the base. Using a spray liquid containing ammonia, is applied to the base. She gets into the holes for the withdrawal of steam, destroying scale.
• Strong Nagar to clean dishwashing powder. But you need to be careful not to scratch the surface.

Home methods include tools that most homes have:

• Cooking salt is spread on paper in a thin layer. To speed up the process, you can add a little waxed paraffin candles. Hot iron ironed this composition repeatedly. Dirt from the sole is glued to salt and paraffin. This tool can not be cleaned with teflon-coated irons.
• Ammonia is used like this: an unnecessary piece of cloth is moistened with ammonia and rubbed on the sole. Then heat the appliance and iron the fabric. All carbon deposits remain on the fabric. If necessary, repeat the procedure. Caution! Ammonia produces a pungent odor.
• 9% vinegar is used instead of ammonia.
• Also, vinegar can be used in the following way: impregnate them with unnecessary cloth, folded in several layers. The iron is heated until the temperature reaches the max level, turned off and left on the fabric. After complete cooling, wipe the base with a soft, lint-free cloth. Holes for steam can be cleaned with cotton swabs or toothpicks.

• Burnt fabric with a strongly heated iron can be tried to be cleaned with a wooden spatula. Use metal or plastic tools can not.
• A slurry of soda with water is applied on the cold base of the device. Do not touch a few minutes. After a short time, the mixture is washed off, and the sole is rubbed with a dry soft cloth.
• In a deep pan or bowl with a wide bottom put a few bars (wooden, metal, or from the designer lego). On the bars put the device disconnected from the power supply so that the nose of the iron is below the back (heels). A solution of hot water and citric acid is poured into a pan (basin) (20 grams of lemon will be 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 construction put on the gas stove and maintain a sufficiently high temperature of the water with a weak fire. After an hour and a half several times press the valve, releasing steam. The surface is washed with running water, dried with a cloth. You can use the iron in a day. Ironing start with the old waste tissue.

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 cups of 9% vinegar.

In case of 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 parts remove yellow stains from the ironing surface. The mixture is poured into a small amount on a cloth and wipe 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 detergent, 3 teaspoons of ammonia, 2 teaspoons of lemongrass and 2 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide are mixed, applied to a metal base, turning the appliance upside down on the handle. The mixture should remain on the base for half an hour, after which it is washed off.

If the soot is obtained as a result of contact with synthetic fiber, it can be removed with nail polish remover.

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

Equal proportions of soda and toothpaste are mixed and applied to the base and metal sides. After drying, remove with a damp cloth, then wash thoroughly. The usual 72% laundry soap also helps the iron. They need to rub the hot sole and leave the appliance until it cools completely. With a wet cloth, the soap is thoroughly washed off the surface.

By the principle of a pencil from a scum the usual paraffin candle works. A hot sole is carried out with a candle, after which the electrical appliance is disconnected from the mains. After cooling, paraffin particles are gently removed from the surface. The iron is well washed, so that paraffin residue does not get on clothes.

To clean the appliance from the inside use "Antinakipin". The contents of the ampoule are diluted in 200 ml of water, poured into the device and include it. When it is heated, it is turned off and put the iron on the base, after an hour or two drain the liquid. If, after washing with ordinary water, it becomes clear that the appliance has been completely cleaned, then the iron in a horizontal position is left for some time. In advanced cases, the procedure with "Antinakipinom" repeat.

Green & clean - a remedy based on natural natural acids. Unique formula Bioklean 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. Means has a transparent color and unsharp smell.

According to the instructions you need to pour 200 ml into the tank without diluting with water. Heat the iron and press the steam release button. According to the users, at this moment a large amount of scale and dirt really comes out with the steam. But all this is accompanied by a very strong pungent odor. Therefore, it is possible to use the product only outside the living space. According to the instructions, after the tank is completely released, it must be rinsed twice with water, releasing steam. But in fact it has to be done for several days. Thus, the tool does an excellent job with scum, but at the same time delivers strong inconvenience to users.

And about the remedy Magic power buyers respond very well. Inexpensive product copes with its task, splitting limescale 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 a full warm-up disconnect;
5. the iron in a horizontal position is left for 2 hours;
6. the product is poured and washed a couple of times with plain water;
7. The purity of the tank is checked by steam release before ironing.

Manufacturers offer kits for descaling the 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 tool is poured into the tank, the iron is heated, after which the device takes a horizontal position. The washing process of the Optima Plus iron can take several hours.

Cleaning the iron inside with home remedies is also possible:

• Mineral water is poured inside the appliance. Iron is turned on and heated to full capacity. Alternately shaking and draining the steam, the tank is descaled. Then the procedure is repeated using ordinary water.
• Citric acid will help break down the scum from the 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 exit button. Better to do it over capacity. Re-fill carry ordinary water. After that, the unnecessary fabric is ironed so as not to leave marks on the good things.
• When using vinegar, use its solution with water in a 1: 1 ratio, which is poured inside the device. Be careful, with a pungent odor.

Many manufacturers have provided modern steam irons with self-clean (self-cleaning). Each electrical device has detailed instructions, including self-cleaning. Before you start working with it, you must be familiar with. Usually it includes the following steps:

1. Fill the tank with water and turn on the 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 above the container. It is better if it is not a sink, otherwise it will be necessary to clean it from scale.
5. In the process of heating the device can be shaken and slightly tilted.
6. After emptying the reservoir, it is filled with plain water and washed.
7. Sole rub off traces of scale.

Electrical appliances of the German manufacturers Bosch, Braun, Tefal are equipped with an anti-limestone rod 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 must be in the upper position.
3. Gently pull the key without touching the bottom of the valve.
4. Put the item in a solution of vinegar or lemon before separating the lime scale from the rod.
5. Brush with natural or artificial hair bristles to wash off the remaining lime fragments.
6. Wash the core with running water.
7. Clean the rod once a month.

For cleaning steam generators with limescale filters, vinegar and chemical reagents should not be used. The filter is washed with a solution of a special liquid from lime in combination with water. It is offered on the condition of after-sales service.

Manufacturers of Bosch and Siemens offer to neutralize scale built-in system, equipped with a cartridge with granules, which replace the positive ions of Ca and Mn to negative. Developers of the system assure its efficiency throughout the entire operation of the iron.

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

• It is recommended to use gloves (preferably tissue, to protect hands from burns), medical or fabric masks, goggles.
• The room must be well ventilated. The best option is to perform manipulations on the balcony or the street.
• The face should be as far as possible from the sole when descending steam.
• During cleaning the room should not be small children and animals.
• To avoid damage to the working surface, floor and things, when working with a pencil, paraffin at hand should be rags so that the waste material drips onto it.

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

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

How to clean the iron from napipi inside, see the following video.