Steam Iron Mineral Deposit Remover
Hard water minerals build up inside a steam iron's tank and vents over time, eventually leaving spots on fabric. A vinegar run clears them out without dismantling the iron.
What you'll need
- Equal parts white vinegar and water
- An old cotton cloth or scrap fabric
Steps
- Fill the iron's water tank with the vinegar-water mixture instead of plain water.
- Set the iron to steam on a scrap cloth and let it run through several steam bursts to flush the vents.
- Empty the tank, rinse it out, and refill with plain water; steam again onto the cloth to clear any residual vinegar.
- Wipe the soleplate with a dry cloth before using the iron on clothing.
Tip: If you have hard water at home, using distilled water in the iron going forward prevents the buildup from returning.