How to clean the iron and what signs indicate that you need to do it right now

Sometimes it happens that clean washed clothes are suddenly covered with dark iron marks. Descaling should be done regularly, and most manufacturers recommend doing it every 1-4 months, depending on how often you use the appliance.

Cleaning experts have told us how to descale your iron yourself. Some signs indicate that you need to clean it immediately.

Signs that the iron needs to be cleaned

If you notice one or more of these signs, it's best to start cleaning your iron right away:

• chalky white mineral deposits or limescale appear on the surface;
• there are sticky residues on the device, which arise from ironing fabrics in an excessively hot mode;
• the iron has stopped gliding and you have to make an effort to pull it across the fabric;
• the iron leaves marks and stains.

How to clean the iron

Take a large, clean, damp cloth and wipe the slightly warm soleplate.

You can also use a little plain white toothpaste applied to a damp cloth to gently remove any dirt buildup on the base.

Do not use abrasive cleaning products as they will damage the coating.

Most steam irons have some form of self-cleaning or descaling system. Thus, turn it on regularly, following the manufacturer's instructions.

Life hacks for deep cleaning

1. Pour equal parts of distilled white vinegar and water into the water tank until it is one-third full.
2. Turn the iron on to medium temperature and wait about five to ten minutes for all the vinegar to evaporate.
3. Then refill the reservoir with fresh water and turn the iron back on to rinse away any traces of mineral deposits and vinegar. When the iron has cooled down, wipe the base and steam vents with a paper towel.

How to clean clogged steam iron holes

To clean clogged steam holes, use a cotton swab dipped in a solution of water and white vinegar.

To prevent limescale from building up in the iron, always remove excess water from the water reservoir after ironing.

A few drops often remain in the tank, so leave the tank open to allow it to dry completely. Otherwise, bacteria can build up inside and cause an unpleasant odor, especially if the iron is not used for a long time.

Also, make sure you use the iron at the correct temperature. This mistake leads to sticky residue on the soleplate.

Before ironing, distribute the laundry according to the required heat level. Look at the care labels and sort them: the lowest temperature is best for synthetics, and the hottest for cotton and linen.

When ironing, change the temperature so that things are not exposed to excessive heat. If you forget this rule, you need to give the iron enough time to cool down between passes.

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