What is this gunk on my iron? (1 Viewer)

[Seth--L]

These are pictures of the bottom of my basic black & decker steam iron (steamxpress 620). What is this crap, how do I get rid of it easily, and what can I do to prevent it?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Glenn Overholt]

The same crap that comes out of the faucet and goes down your throat.

I think the solution is to use bottled water/water filter, but you should be able to use an SOS type pad to clean it up.

Glenn

 

[ChrisMatson]

...and stop ironing feces

 

[Peter Kline]

Hard water deposits. The stuff is also inside the iron, needs to be flushed out. Buy a Pur filter instead of bottled water and use the water from that.

 

[brentl]

Could also be some of the starch that you use!

Brent

 

[Eric_L]

A non-stick Iron would help. Some of that is particles of your clothing

 

[John Watson]

Looks like frog eggs, some are forming into tadpoles, tho several are a little bent

 

[Peter Kline]

Also, spend a little more for a better iron. Best brands are Panasonic, Rowenta and T-Fal. Black & Decker and other "domestic" brands are throw aways. They last a year or two at the most and then you need a new one.

 

[Steve_Pannell]

If it is hard water deposits (looks like it might be), a product called CLR might remove them, inside and out. I've used it to remove lime deposits from my showerhead many times. Also great for cleaning your coffee maker.

I think I'd use distilled water from now on.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled forum.

 

[Malcolm R]

Um, what's an "iron"?

 

[Dave Falasco]

Also, spend a little more for a better iron.

I've got a $100 Rowenta and it gets those black deposits, too. I'm not sure what it is, but I use an "iron cleaner" to get rid of it. Basically it's a cream that you squeeze onto a terrycloth rag and iron over it. Then buff off on a clean cotton rag. Works great. The cream I use is made by Rowenta, but I'm sure it will work with any iron.

 

[Seth--L]

Can you recommend a model or two?

 

[John_Bonner]

Try using Fantastic to get the gunk off.

And as someone mentioned use distilled water in the iron. You can pick up a gallon at the supermarket, it's cheap and it'll last for months.

 

[Peter Kline]

Most of the better irons really don't require distilled water. It's much cheaper in the long run to get a faucet purifier then buying distilled water. Any of the Rowenta, Panasonic or T-FAL irons in the $60 to $100 range are excellent. Go to websites to see prices from Amazon, etc. Some have Teflon bottoms but believe it or not a stainless steel one irons better. Teflon tends to make the iron too slippery. That CLR is excellent for cleaning and I believe you can also use vinegar to flush out the iron's innards from time to time.

 

[Julian Reville]

I'd be willing to bet that there is some silica in there somewhere.