Home appliance manufacturers guarantee high quality and long life modern models of irons with a steam generator subject to their proper operation.
The reduction in the service life of household appliances can be caused by several reasons, the main of which is the quality of the water used. The constant use of hard water leads to the formation of scale, which leads to a significant reduction in the service life of steam heaters.
This article lists the tips and describes the procedure in order to clean the steam generator from scale on your own at home.
On the site you can also read about models of popular steam irons.
Causes and effects of scale formation
The cause of scale is an increased level of water hardness. The main substances that determine hardness are natural minerals - calcium and magnesium. The greater their amount is in water, the harder the water.
When water is heated, the intermolecular bonds between the water molecules and the impurities dissolved in it are destroyed. The result of this chemical reaction is the formation of a precipitate of solid particles of these minerals, called “scale”.
Because of what water flows from the steam generator can be found here.
The growing, over time, solid and dense deposits of scale are the cause of premature failure of steam heaters.
Types of steam heaters
There are two main types of steam heaters:
- pump action;
- self-flowing.
In pump-type steam heaters, steam is released under high pressure arising from the evaporation of water in the boiler. Such devices are very effective and convenient to use, however, they are distinguished by their complexity and high cost.
All technical malfunctions arising during the operation of such devices, including those caused by the formation of scale, are recommended to be eliminated at special service centers.
In gravity flow devices, steam is supplied gradually, as water evaporates, without first creating pressure. Such devices are easy to maintain and low cost. A relatively simple design allows you to remove scale using improvised tools available in every kitchen.
Methods for descaling in a steam generator
Scale cleaning in the steam generator itself is carried out in two separate stages:
- Cleaning tanks (boilers);
- Cleaning the ironing tool (iron).
In devices with an integrated system, descaling is carried out according to the indications of a special sensor built into the device design. The signal of the corresponding indicator reminds the user of the need for regular cleaning.
In devices that do not have such a system, the need for regular cleaning is determined visually when solid particles (flakes) of scale or dirty droplets are detected iron soles. In addition, a decrease in pressure and a decrease in the amount of escaping steam also indicates need to clean the device from scale.
How disassemble the steam generatorread here.
How to clean the steam generator from scale?
Automatic cleaning of the tank from scale (boiler) is carried out in the following order:
- From the water tank through the filling hole, the remaining water is removed;
- Turn the device on its side or in another convenient position;
- Remove the shutoff valve;
- 0.5 l of distilled water or cleaning solution is poured into the appliance through the descaling hole;
- Set the shut-off valve to its original position;
- Turn on and heat to maximum temperature;
- While holding down the steam supply button, produce a trial ironing of unnecessary fabric;
- Disconnect the device from the power supply and leave the device to cool for 2 hours;
- The shut-off valve is removed to drain the remaining water in the housing;
- Reinstall the valve;
- Use a damp cloth to clean the instrument body from smudges.
Attention! During the cleaning process, a stream of hot steam together with splashes of hot and dirty water comes out at a high speed. Cleaning is stopped at the moment when the exit of dirty water stops or clean steam starts to come out.
Cleaning the steam generator from scale, in accordance with the recommendations of manufacturers of household appliances, should be carried out only by special means. The impact of improvised cleaning products, selected independently or prepared according to folk recipes, can lead to the destruction of heating elements and internal parts of the tank body, which will lead to equipment failure.
Also check out: How descale the steamer?
How to clean any iron steam generator?
Steam iron, unlike the boiler, has a simple device and is characterized by the absence of heating elements. Therefore, for descaling the ironIn addition to distilled water and special cleaning agents, the use of improvised cleaning agents such as mineral water, citric and acetic acid is not prohibited.
Mineral water
Mineral water at room temperature through a filling hole is poured into a water tank. Then the iron is turned on in the full power mode, the liquid is heated to the temperature of steam formation and ironing of the unnecessary fabric in this mode is performed until the liquid completely evaporates. Then the iron is washed with clean water, and traces of possible smudges on the body and sole of the iron are removed with a damp cloth.
Lemon acid
With this cleaning method, 30 g (two teaspoons) of citric acid are diluted in a glass (250 g) of warm water. The resulting solution was thoroughly mixed. Cleaning the iron with a steam generator is carried out in the following order:
- fill the reservoir of the device disconnected from the mains with the obtained solution;
- leave the solution in the iron tank for 10-15 minutes to settle;
- connect the device to the power supply network;
- I turn on the device at maximum power;
- ironing of old and unnecessary things with simultaneous shaking of the device until the liquid is completely evaporated;
- turn off the iron from the network;
- fill the tank with clean water and wash the container several times.
Acetic acid
Cleaning the iron with a solution of acetic acid is carried out in the same order as when using citric acid. To prepare the wash solution, 9% vinegar and table water are used in a ratio of 1: 1 (for 1 glass of water 1 glass of vinegar).
Antin Akipin and other special cleaning products.
Special descaling cleaners are in the form of tablets, gels, powders, solutions. To prepare the cleaning solution, follow the recommendations of the attached instructions. The cleaning process is similar to the previously discussed methods.
An effective method of cleaning the soleplate
If there is no self-cleaning system in the steam generator, it is necessary to use the following method:
- wooden bars or sticks with a diameter of 5-10 mm are laid on the bottom of a container that is resistant to high temperatures;
- an iron is placed on stacked wooden sticks;
- in another container prepare an aqueous solution of vinegar, citric acid or "Antinakipin" according to the above order;
- pour the solution into a container with an iron so that the liquid covers the sole of the iron placed on the sticks and does not in any way come into contact with the plastic parts of the case;
- bring the liquid to a boil and hold the iron in a boiling solution for 5-10 minutes;
- the iron is removed from the solution, washed in a stream of warm clean water and dried.
How to prevent the appearance of scale?
The formation of scale leads to a significant reduction in the service life of steam heating plants. To prevent premature failure of the device, the following preventive measures must be taken:
- use only distilled, filtered water or purchase a water neutralizer (softener) in household chemical stores;
- promptly clean the reservoirs of boilers and irons from scale with both automatic cleaning tools and improvised means.
The described methods and procedures for cleaning the iron with a steam heater from scale will ensure uninterrupted operation of the household appliance throughout the entire service life.
«With or without a boiler: which steam generator better? ”- read the article here.
