The iron, especially if you use it often, should be cleaned periodically because there is a risk of dirtying the garments you are going to iron due to the accumulation of dirt and limescale.
There are those who use suitable products to clean the iron that can be purchased in the supermarket or in stores for home care and hygiene.
And then there are also those who prepare do-it-yourself solutions that solve several problems in a few minutes.
Clean the iron tank to remove limescale
One of these solutions is water and citric acid. Mix the water with the citric acid in a cup and then pour the preparation directly into the compartment reserved for water, inside the iron. Then the steam is activated and the water is let out, which is collected in a basin.
In this way you can realize all the dirt that is deposited inside the iron every time you use it. Now the inside is clean, so we move on to cleaning the outside or the steel plate that we rub on the clothes to iron them.
How to clean the outer soleplate of the iron
Cleaning the outside of the iron can be done quite quickly and easily without spending who knows how much money. To clean the soleplate of the iron, youtake a tablet of those used for the dishwasher and rub it directly on the area to be treated, insisting on the dirt that is slowly removed without problems and effort.
You can use it dry as well as wet, in the second case just wet it in very little water without letting it absorb too much otherwise it dissolves and that’s it the results will be incredible. Once this process is finished, dry the iron with a well-wrung microfiber cloth. Here it will be back as good as new, just purchased.
The best water to use for steam
The main problem of dirt that settles in the iron is the water which, if left inside the boiler, stagnates and then over time can even cause problems with the components or the operation of the appliance itself.
As practical as it may be to turn on the tap, collect the water and use the iron at no cost, it is better to avoid it because you risk having to buy a new one for no valid reason.
Tips for using the iron, how to preserve it and make it last for years
Demineralized water that is purchased in supermarkets or any other household store is safer. This is distilled water that is sold in jerrycans, which does not cost too much. There is the simple one as well as the scented one. Unfortunately, however, it is also difficult to bring home because it is heavy especially if you buy large bins, if you are alone and also do the shopping at the same time.
The solution could be to use water from air conditioners or dehumidifiers, it is collected in a basin and then used when needed for ironing. Every time you turn on the heating or the cold air conditioner, a lot of water is formed that it can be useful over the days, especially for those who always have a lot of clothes to iron.
To preserve the iron, every time you finish using it, it is advisable to remove the residual water and dry its container to avoid stagnant water.
Finally, if you use the iron often, it is better to proceed with thorough cleaning of both the tank and the outside, therefore the soleplate. In this case, it is best to use the dishwasher tablet at least once a week, especially before starting to iron a shirt or a white garment on top of which the smallest stain is evident. The tablet, if not completely consumed, can be reused over the days.
