How can you descale the iron with vinegar? Instructions + tips for prevention

Does your iron leave white marks on your freshly washed clothes? This is a sign of limescale that has accumulated on its surface. But instead of buying commercial solutions, you can descale your iron with vinegar! This is how it's done!

I think we can all agree that ironing is one of the most unpleasant household tasks. At least I'm one of those people who don't like it at all. However, there's one thing I hate even more than it - when my iron starts leaving white chalk marks on my clean clothes. However, there is a natural method you can use to deal with the problem by descaling the iron with vinegar. Now we'll show you how easy it is!

What you should know about lime

Before we get to the instructions on how to descale the iron with vinegar, it's good if you know a little more about limescale. Limescale is a harmless white scale that builds up in appliances that use water. These include kettles, coffee machines, dishwashers and washing machines.

Limescale is particularly common in areas with hard water because it is rich in minerals with higher concentrations of calcium and magnesium, which in turn leads to the formation of limescale deposits when they evaporate.

Limescale will not damage your clothing. However, it can shorten the lifespan of your iron. The reason for this is that the limescale deposits can cause corrosion of the heating element. This buildup will eventually break down the iron and cost you money to replace it.

Limescale deposits also have a negative impact on the energy efficiency of the iron. This means it takes longer to heat the water and uses more energy and therefore money.

How often should you remove it?

It's best to remove limescale from your iron regularly, especially if you're in oneArea with hard waterlife. This will extend the life of your iron and avoid white spots on your laundry.

Most manufacturers recommend carrying out a thorough descaling every one to four months. These numbers vary depending on how often you use your iron and how hard the water is in your area. To take the guesswork out of it, some newer models of irons will tell you themselves when it's time to descale them.

Descale the iron with vinegar – this is how it works!

White vinegar effectively removes limescale from the iron without clogging the pipes and glands.

  1. Mix white vinegar and water in a 50:50 ratio in a measuring cup. Then add this mixture to the water chamber of the iron until it is about a third full.
  2. Place the iron on medium heat and let it steam for about 5-10 minutes, or until the vinegar solution has evaporated.
  3. Once the vinegar solution has evaporated, turn off the iron and fill the chamber about a third full with fresh water. Now turn the iron back on and let the water evaporate to wash away any leftover vinegar or mineral deposits.
  4. When finished, turn off the iron and let it cool. You can then wipe the base and steam holes with a cloth to remove any remaining debris.

Worth mentioning: Please note that you should always check the manufacturer's instructions first before using vinegar. Some advise against using it for descaling because it is acidic. However, it is a fact that many commercially available descalers are also very acidic and that many manufacturers sell their own descaling solution at a significantly inflated price. I personally had no problems with the vinegar method. Whatever you decide, it's important to know that if you use vinegar to descale your iron, it may void the appliance's warranty if it is still in one.

Additionally, if your iron is a newer model, it probably has a self-cleaning feature that you can use. Maybe it even has an anti-limescale system. If this is the case, use it regularly by following the instructions.

Tips for preventing limescale deposits

Prevention is always better than cure!

  • To avoid limescale deposits in your iron, you should always remove excess water from the device. Empty the chamber when you have finished ironing.
  • Using filtered tap water in your iron can also help reduce limescale buildup.

For more tips on how to clean your iron and remove deposits with home remedies,can be found here!