An easy way to descale your iron: water and a little citric acid

Limescale is the main cause of stains on clothes and broken irons. It’s easy to solve both problems: just descale the device with citric acid. The advantages of this method are obvious:

• safety;
• simplicity;
• availability.

Modern household assistants for ironing clothes are equipped with a steam function and a special container for water. When the device is turned on, the process of converting the liquid into a gaseous state begins. Steam makes ironing easier, moisturizes laundry and cleans the outlet holes on the soles. But when the heating elements come into contact with water, lime deposits form, which damage the electrical appliance.

Why is hard water dangerous?

During boiling, plaque forms. This is due to the carbonate content in the liquid. As the temperature rises, magnesium and calcium salts turn into solid deposits on the internal walls and base of the device. The water in the iron turns brown and flakes of dirt begin to come out of the holes.

Scale happens:

• sulfate;
• carbonate;
• silicate.

Regardless of the chemical composition, scale is the root cause of iron failure. Even 0.5 mm of deposits leads to overheating, reduced power, and the appearance of holes and cracks. To get through the scale layer, the device increases the temperature and heating time. As a result, the device exhausts its resource faster.

How often should you clean your iron?

To ensure that the iron works properly and without interruptions, clean it with citric acid every 4 months if you fill the tank with filtered water and every 2-3 if it is raw.

Step-by-step cleaning of the iron

Keep in mind that the process of cleaning the iron is accompanied by an unpleasant odor, so carry out the procedure in a well-ventilated area. There is no need to be afraid of such a reaction. This is just the result of the interaction of chemical elements.

Instructions:

1. Prepare a container or sink to drain dirt and deposits from the appliance.
2. To make a solution, pour citric acid into boiled water in a ratio of 1:10 and mix thoroughly. That is, add 25 g of powder to a 250 ml glass. It is important that all grains dissolve and the cloudy sediment disappears.
3. Pour the resulting liquid into the reservoir and close it.
4. Turn on the device and set the maximum power. The product removes plaque at temperatures not lower than 80 degrees. The higher the temperature, the better the scale dissolves.
5. When the iron indicator goes off, shake the device several times. This action will help citric acid reach hard-to-reach places.
6. Hold the iron horizontally over a sink or pan. Press the steam button. Wait until all the dirt comes out.
7. If necessary, repeat the procedure, and then unplug the device from the outlet.
8. Rinse the iron with clean water. Don't forget to rinse the tank.
9. Wipe the sole with a solution of vinegar or ammonia; they will remove stains and scale residues.

Important
Do not leave the solution inside the electrical appliance. Otherwise, the plastic parts will become unusable. For the first ironing with a cleaned iron, use an old cotton cloth to ensure that all scale particles are removed.

What surfaces can be cleaned with citric acid?

Cleaning the iron with citric acid is suitable for all surfaces:

• metal;
• ceramic;
• Teflon.

But still, before using the solution, read the instructions for the electrical appliance.

Chemical reaction
Boiling water and citric acid react with salts and dissolve them into acetates and chlorides. During the process, a large amount of carbon dioxide is also released, which also contributes to the destruction of carbonates.

How to avoid deposits on your iron

To slow down scale formation, consider the following recommendations:

1. Use purified, distilled or boiled water. This will not get rid of plaque, but it will significantly slow down its formation.
2. Drain the contents after each ironing.
3. Store the iron in an upright position.
4. Periodically use a burst of steam to clean the nozzles, as recommended in the instructions for your appliance.

Timely prevention and appropriate care extend the life of the iron. If you follow simple recommendations, the device will work properly for many years, and your clothes will remain neat.