Iron Cleaning
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Subject Author Date
Iron Cleaning Tricia 09-04-2006
---> Re: Iron Cleaning Betty Vereen Hi...09-04-2006
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Posted by Tricia on September 4, 2006, 1:30 pm
I got iron problems. I got fusible interfacing on my iron a while ago
-- used Iron Off to clean that off -- as far as I can tell, I followed
directions very well.....fast forward to the last two months or so
(mind you my iron only gets a real workout on days like today -- the
domestic side of my personality has kicked in and I'm catching up on
laundry, ironing, cooking, etc. -- or on days when I go on a
fabric/quilting binge) --- when my iron is supposed to be "steaming",
out shoots this solid crumbly stuff (imagine having a mouth full of dry
crackers and being made to laugh), whitish in nature. Not a big deal
when all I am doing is pressing a block to set seams and heat set
signatures -- it is a big deal when DH starts back in the classroom
tomorrow and I'd really like to have his clothes looking good (he's
still 2 years away from tenure and they had to cancel one of his
classes this term for insufficient enrollment --eek!). I'd also like
to take the iron to my clothes to spiff them up for interviews, etc. I
know our water is HARD beyond HARD so since we moved north I've only
used water that has gone through the Brita filter -- and no one else
touches my iron (except to move it from one location to another)
without direct permission (DH learned quickly!).

I suspect the best approach to fixing the issue is a back to basics old
fashion one -- such as vinegar, etc. However, I don't know if it is
supposed to be straight vinegar or vinegar with salt or what....HELP?


TIA,
Tricia
(who, so far today has, done about half the laundry needed, cooked
breakfast, is making own recipe spaghetti sauce, and more. I feel like
my body has been invaded by the spirit of 50's housewives -- freaky!)
<message is cross-posted between RCTQ and RCTS>


Posted by Pogonip on September 4, 2006, 2:12 pm
Tricia wrote:
> I got iron problems. I got fusible interfacing on my iron a while ago
> -- used Iron Off to clean that off -- as far as I can tell, I followed
> directions very well.....fast forward to the last two months or so
> (mind you my iron only gets a real workout on days like today -- the
> domestic side of my personality has kicked in and I'm catching up on
> laundry, ironing, cooking, etc. -- or on days when I go on a
> fabric/quilting binge) --- when my iron is supposed to be "steaming",
> out shoots this solid crumbly stuff (imagine having a mouth full of dry
> crackers and being made to laugh), whitish in nature. Not a big deal
> when all I am doing is pressing a block to set seams and heat set
> signatures -- it is a big deal when DH starts back in the classroom
> tomorrow and I'd really like to have his clothes looking good (he's
> still 2 years away from tenure and they had to cancel one of his
> classes this term for insufficient enrollment --eek!). I'd also like
> to take the iron to my clothes to spiff them up for interviews, etc. I
> know our water is HARD beyond HARD so since we moved north I've only
> used water that has gone through the Brita filter -- and no one else
> touches my iron (except to move it from one location to another)
> without direct permission (DH learned quickly!).
>
> I suspect the best approach to fixing the issue is a back to basics old
> fashion one -- such as vinegar, etc. However, I don't know if it is
> supposed to be straight vinegar or vinegar with salt or what....HELP?
>
>
> TIA,
> Tricia
> (who, so far today has, done about half the laundry needed, cooked
> breakfast, is making own recipe spaghetti sauce, and more. I feel like
> my body has been invaded by the spirit of 50's housewives -- freaky!)
> <message is cross-posted between RCTQ and RCTS>
>

The fusible episode would be completely disconnected. The fusing would
not get into the steam channels.

It sounds like lime build-up inside the iron. Vinegar would be worth a
try. No salt. There are also commercial cleaners for steam irons, but
I have no personal experience with them. Someone else might.

Good luck! Meanwhile, use a pressing cloth. ;-)
--
Joanne
stitches @ singerlady.reno.nv.us.earth.milky-way.com
http://members.tripod.com/~bernardschopen/

Posted by BEI Design on September 4, 2006, 2:16 pm

I
> know our water is HARD beyond HARD so since we moved north I've
> only
> used water that has gone through the Brita filter --

TTBOMK, Brita water should *not* be used in a steam iron. The
instruction my Rowenta specifically advises against it.
*Distilled* water might be a good substitute..

> and no one else
> touches my iron (except to move it from one location to
> another)
> without direct permission (DH learned quickly!).
>
> I suspect the best approach to fixing the issue is a back to
> basics old
> fashion one -- such as vinegar, etc. However, I don't know if
> it is
> supposed to be straight vinegar or vinegar with salt or
> what....HELP?

I think you use 3-to-1 water-to-white vinegar, but it's been a
long time since I had any problem, PDX has extremely soft water.
You might see if you can find:
http://www.sunbeamhospitality.com/products/look_your_best/accessories/15004.html

Or look in the coffee appliance aisle for something similar.
Just be sure to run several cups of clean water through the iron
to rinse it out.

HTH,

Beverly



Posted by Donna in Idaho on September 4, 2006, 2:29 pm
Most irons tell you NOT to use distilled water. If your tap water is
extremely hard (like ours is) you can use half distilled and half tap water.
I usually buy spring water & mix half & half with distilled since our water
is so hard.
--
Donna in Idaho
Reply to daawra3553 at yahoo dot com

>
> I
>> know our water is HARD beyond HARD so since we moved north I've only
>> used water that has gone through the Brita filter --
>
> TTBOMK, Brita water should *not* be used in a steam iron. The instruction
> my Rowenta specifically advises against it. *Distilled* water might be a
> good substitute..
>
>> and no one else
>> touches my iron (except to move it from one location to another)
>> without direct permission (DH learned quickly!).
>>
>> I suspect the best approach to fixing the issue is a back to basics old
>> fashion one -- such as vinegar, etc. However, I don't know if it is
>> supposed to be straight vinegar or vinegar with salt or what....HELP?
>
> I think you use 3-to-1 water-to-white vinegar, but it's been a long time
> since I had any problem, PDX has extremely soft water. You might see if
> you can find:
>
http://www.sunbeamhospitality.com/products/look_your_best/accessories/15004.html
>
> Or look in the coffee appliance aisle for something similar. Just be sure
> to run several cups of clean water through the iron to rinse it out.
>
> HTH,
>
> Beverly
>



Posted by Kathy Applebaum on September 4, 2006, 2:32 pm

>
> I
>> know our water is HARD beyond HARD so since we moved north I've only
>> used water that has gone through the Brita filter --
>
> TTBOMK, Brita water should *not* be used in a steam iron. The instruction
> my Rowenta specifically advises against it. *Distilled* water might be a
> good substitute..

The instructions on my Rowenta specifically advise against distilled water.
:)

--
Kathy A. (Woodland, CA)
Queen of Fabric Tramps
mailto:KathyA@KayneyNOSPAMQuilting.com
http://fabrictramp.typepad.com/fabric_tramping/
remove the obvious to reply



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