According to a study conducted by researchers from the University of Texas, you should not use distilled water in order to prevent damaging your iron. Also, it could cause your pipe to get damaged.
It’s widely known that using mineral-free water instead of hard water for steam ironing helps lower the build-up of calcium and lime in the body. However, a new study has debunked this myth.
Using tap water to steam iron can cause it to sputter and not come out at all. It’s best to use a water softener instead.
Can You Leave Water In The Iron?
The water in the iron should be emptied after each use as it can leave behind minerals that cause clogging and bacteria growth in the iron. The excess water in the soleplate can damage and discolor it causing leakage of water.
Although many manufacturers make steam irons that are compatible with tap water, Rowenta requires that its users follow the same guidelines when it comes to the regular water supply.
Rowenta irons are made to deal with the normal levels of water hardness in ordinary tap water. They should be used with filtered or treated water.
If you are going to use hard water, make sure that it is not straight from the bottle. Also, avoid using 100 percent reverse osmosis or distilled water. This will cause the iron to emit minerals.
Verve irons have a special soleplate that allows the use of tap water without affecting the steam performance. Manual instructions also state that they should be used demineralized or distilled water.
Morphy Richards also advises against using bottled or distilled water. It has its own anti-scaling system.
Common Ironing Mistakes To Avoid
The various kinds of fabrics need to be ironed in different ways and at specific temperatures. Without proper cleaning of iron cause damage and using of dry clothes does not give good result.
Below are some of the common mistakes to avoid while ironing.
1. Ironing fabrics that are too dry.
Mist with the iron’s spray feature to keep the fabric soft and smooth. Use the steam burst feature to create a blast to remove any loose or stuck-in folds.
2. Saving your delicates for last.
Irons are designed to cool down, so start with materials that require the lowest temperature.
3. Cranking up the heat.
When choosing the heat setting for a garment, make sure it’s made of a blend. This will help preserve the fabric.
4. Not using tap water.
Today’s irons can handle much better than older models. If you have hard-to-find water, mix it with distilled water.
5. Not cleaning your iron.
Stick to the iron’s soleplate and clean it with a baking soda paste or a cleaning product when it’s cold. It can also stain and bug fabrics.
6. Storing the iron with water in it.
Before putting an iron away, make sure that the water tank is empty. This will prevent the leaking iron’s internal parts and prevent it from staining the soleplate.
7. Not updating your ironing board.
We’ve been testing and using the same ironing board for years. But, for the first time, it has changed hands. This new board, called the Flipper, rotates and irons both sides of a shirt.
8. Not using a steam station for large loads.
If you’re working on batches of sewing or quilting, a steam station is a great way to keep the iron running smoothly. Its large water tank and retractable hose keep the steam running constantly.
9. Steaming fabrics without holding them taut.
When using a handheld steamer, gently pull the clothes to the bottom, then hold them up to the machine. For heavier fabrics, turn the garment inside out.
10. Lack of Steam
If your iron is not producing steam, try taking a few minutes to see if it can be fixed. Also, check the iron’s soleplate to prevent water from leaking out.
11. The Iron Leaks
Before using your iron, warm up it up by letting it sit for a couple of minutes to prevent leaks. Also, avoid using tap water to make your iron more durable.
Best Type Of Water To Use
Distilled water is the best option for using iron as it does not contain any minerals and does not cause any clogging or damage to the iron.
Water that doesn’t contain minerals is the best choice for your iron. Also, if you’re worried about iron buildup, drinking mineral-free water can help keep it in place for years.
Distilled Water
While the water in the bottle turns into steam, most of the minerals that were in it are left behind. This means that the distilled water is not as pure as its regular counterpart.
Newer Steam Irons with Filters
Modern steam irons have water filters that remove minerals and other impurities from the water. They can also be cleaned with a strong blast of steam.