All modern irons are equipped with a universal function that allows you to moisten the laundry during ironing. More recently, a spray gun was used for these purposes, which had to be purchased separately. The product was filled with water and sprayed. Today, all the necessary functions are built into the iron by the manufacturer. The user pours clean water into a special container, and it is supplied through prepared channels through the sole of the product. This creates steam which moistens the laundry. Over time, a layer of scale forms on individual elements. To extend the life of the device, you need to know how to clean the iron with citric acid.
Description
The original steaming function is provided by heating water, which is poured into a special compartment. During active use, scale forms inside the product - this is a hard coating that appears as a result of the deposition of s alts. This process is significantly accelerated by the following factors:
- Userdoes not perform preventive cleaning of the product.
- Use unfiltered water.
- After using the product, do not drain the liquid from the tank.
You need to clean the iron with citric acid when red stains remain on clothes when ironing. In advanced cases, gray flakes of limescale fall out of the steam outlets. If the problem is not corrected in a timely manner, the iron may simply fail.
Expediency of procedure
Almost every modern iron is equipped with a universal self-cleaning system, as well as anti-scale protection. For these purposes, experts have provided for the presence of universal rods. But despite this, in some cases it is simply necessary to clean the iron with citric acid inside. Since, despite the versatility of the design, scale will still accumulate. In a running case, the unit will simply stop functioning.
Preparation of mortar
To clean the iron with citric acid, you need to prepare a small bag of the main substance in advance (25 g is enough). The agent is dissolved in a small container with purified water. The concentration of the working solution must be such that it does not harm the internal rubber parts. The water used must correspond to the volume of the container in the iron - no more than 250 ml. The crystals should completely dissolve. There should be no sediment in the solution. Excess citric acid can have a negative effect. It remains only to pour the agent intospecial reservoir and close the lid tightly.
Warm-up rules
To qualitatively clean the iron with citric acid from scale, you must first set the temperature to the maximum mark and turn on the device to the maximum. After heating, the product will turn off by itself. Switch on the unit again after 5 minutes. After that, you can unplug the iron.
Cleaning nuances
The first step is to prepare a small container to collect the waste solution. You can use a basin or a pan. To clean the iron with citric acid, you need to hold the product in a horizontal position above the tank by pressing the steam button several times. At the first stage, a stream of steam will come out, and after that, boiling water with pieces of scale will come out. At the final stage, you need to gently rinse the system with clean water to remove any remaining citric acid. If the liquid is clear, then this indicates that the procedure was successful.
Simplified diagram
Cleaning the iron with citric acid is not at all difficult, but if this is not done, the channels for the exit of the generated steam will completely clog, and there will be many pieces of mineral deposits in the water tank. To prevent undesirable consequences, you need to use a syringe with a needle to inject a solution of citric acid into the compartments for steaming. If the needle does not enter the canal, then you need to take cotton swabs, soak them in the solution and attach them to the holes. After 3 hours, tampons can beremove to repeat the procedure with a syringe.
Cleaning the soleplate
If, after purchasing the product, the user has not carried out scheduled cleaning for a long time, then scale and pollution may appear not only in the internal compartment, but also on other parts. In this case, you should not despair, as you can clean the iron with citric acid. This method is relevant if the coating of the product is Teflon or ceramic. Cleaning consists of two main steps:
- The first step is to prepare a solution of citric acid. To do this, one package of the product is stirred in warm water.
- You need to moisten a cotton pad in a solution of citric acid and clean the sole. Holes are carefully cleaned with cotton swabs. If the channels are very dirty, then you need to fill them with a solution and leave for 10 minutes. Due to this, the scale will dissolve, after which it can be removed with a cotton swab.
Self-cleaning function
Upgraded models have the original Self Clean option, which greatly simplifies the product care scheme. Each manufacturer describes this feature in detail in the accompanying instructions. The principle of operation of this option is as follows:
- You need to fill the tank with water to the very top mark. For these purposes, the most ordinary liquid is ideal, without unnecessary chemical additives.
- It is necessary to connect the iron to the mains and set the regulator to the maximum temperature. You have to wait until it turns off.repeat manipulations.
- It remains only to drain the water along with the scale.
- You need to shake the iron several times to rid the walls of the appliance from plaque.
Effective solution
Many housewives are accustomed to using at home a tool with which you can quickly and effectively clean the surface of even the oldest dirt. All the ingredients for this solution can be found in every kitchen. Cleaning the soleplate with citric acid, baking soda and vinegar can be done in just a few minutes. The standard time of action of the mixture depends on the degree of contamination. After 20-30 minutes, the sole of the product will take on a sparkling appearance, and there will be no trace of scale. For manipulations, you will also need a large capacity that is not afraid of exposure to high temperatures. You can use a large diameter frying pan or a deep baking sheet. The height of the container must be more than 5 centimeters. The lower part of the iron is immersed in the solution, which is first poured into the pan. Be sure to put a few pencils at the bottom.
First of all, 2 tablespoons of soda and the same amount of citric acid are poured into the container. After that, add 30 ml of vinegar. When the iron is placed in the container, hot water can be poured in gradually. The total height of the liquid must not exceed 50 mm. Otherwise, the device may become unusable. The iron is placed in a container with a solution for a maximum of 30 minutes. This time is enough for the solution to penetrate into hard-to-reach places and dissolve the scale. At the final stage, the iron is washed with warm water.
Strong surface option
Those who are faced with descaling for the first time are interested in whether it is possible to clean the iron with citric acid. In fact, you can use not only this tool, but also other household formulations. Abrasive substances are relevant only in relation to surfaces made of titanium, stainless steel, as well as models with sapphire coating. In this case, you can use the following recipes:
- Using a toothbrush, you can apply toothpaste with tiny abrasive particles to the soleplate of the iron. The iron must be connected to the mains. After heating, the cord must be unplugged from the socket. The surface is wiped with a dry cloth. Remaining toothpaste can be removed with a damp cloth.
- It is necessary to combine soda and dishwashing detergent in one container (2:1 ratio). The result should be a mushy substance. The agent is applied to the iron with a sponge. After 15 minutes, you need to rub the surface and remove the mass with a damp cloth.
- If synthetic fabric is stuck to the sole of the iron, then you need to heat the iron to the maximum and scrape off the material with a wooden spatula.
- You need to pour fine iodized s alt on a piece of paper. This option is notable for its efficiency. The iron must be heated and ironed with s alt for five minutes.
Recommendations from experts
If traces of scale are visible on the surface of the iron, then you can adopt several improvised recipes that are distinguished by their versatility:
- When after ironingsynthetics left traces, then the surface must be wiped with nail polish remover.
- For cleaning, you can use a special pencil, which is freely sold at any hardware store. The tool is preheated and lubricated with an iron. All dirt is easily removed with a piece of cloth, due to which there is no trace left on the surface.
- You can deal with pollution with hydrogen peroxide. The heated surface of the product is wiped with a cotton pad dipped in the product. It remains to stroke a soft cloth, on which all impurities will remain.
Prevention measures
Every modern person can clean the iron with citric acid at home. But it is much easier to avoid a problem than to deal with it. The cleaning process itself takes quite a lot of time and requires some effort from the performer. Simple preventive measures can extend the life of your iron:
- Only clean water must be used.
- It is possible to equip the faucet with a universal cleaning filter.
- The user needs to purchase an electromagnetic water softener from a specialized store. Due to this, it will be possible to neutralize hardness s alts.
If you follow simple recommendations, then there will be no need to clean the iron with citric acid. In addition, the quality of ironing will not fall and the operational life of the unit will be extended.
