Why Is My Steam Generator Iron Not Steaming?

This could be a sign of limescale. Learn how to get rid of the problem and avoid limescale in the future.

When a steam generator iron stops steaming, the chances are that it has limescale. It can be removed with a limescale solution and prevented by using soft water.

A steam generator can get damaged beyond repair if limescale is allowed to grow at will. Let’s see how you can remove this muck and save your iron!

Read Next: How to properly open and close an ironing board.

The Main Reason Why Steam Generator Irons Stop Steaming

Home appliances have made our chores a lot easier. But sometimes, they cause more headaches than expected. For instance, you go about your laundry day and then the steam generator iron simply stops releasing steam. g what it was made to do. For instance, when you have a steam generator iron for ironing chores and it stops releasing steam.

What stops the iron from steaming? When you encounter this unfortunate problem, one of two things is usually responsible.

1. Incorrect care and handling.
2. There is limescale inside the iron.

Incorrect Handling Can Damage The Iron’s Steaming Ability

There is one golden rule that allows all the appliances in your home to perform well and also to last for years. What is it? Correct handling and care. Steam irons are also dependent on how well you treat them but sometimes, we inadvertently do things that interfere with how they perform.

How Do I Fix This Problem?

Everything you need to know about how to correctly handle and care for your steam generator iron should be explained in the user manual that came with the appliance. In particular, pay attention to the sections that explain how to store the iron and how to properly clean it. As always, prevention is the best policy and if you follow the instruction manual’s rules closely, the chances are that you will never experience this problem.

In case you lost the user manual or you never received one, we’ve got you covered. Grab your free guide that explains everything about how to clean a steam generator iron and how to use a steam generator iron properly.

But I Am Already Experiencing This Problem. Now What?

Read the next section about limescale and how to treat it. If limescale is not the problem, then the iron probably suffers from incorrect use or storage. Look to see if the warranty is still active and if you can get help from the manufacturer’s help section. You can also have the appliance repaired by a professional (just make sure that this does not cancel your guarantee).

How Limescale Messes With Your Steam Generator Iron

Limescale is caused by hard water. This is a term that refers to any water with a high mineral content, particularly calcium and limestone. Hard water is famous for damageing or reducing the quality of water-using gadgets including washing machines, dishwashers, irons, boilers, electric kettles, and even taps and plumbing.

Using hard water in the steam generator iron does a number of things to the water reservoir. Calcium and limestone start to accumulate in the iron and form deposits in the reservoir. The deposits then clog up the system. This, in turn, makes the steam generator iron perform poorly.

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How Do I Solve This Problem?

If you live in a hard water area and treat your iron according to the manual, then the chances are that limescale is behind the poor performance. The good news is that limescale is easy to get rid of and to prevent.

1. Choose a descaling solution that is safe to use with a steam generator iron. You can use a commercial product but plain old vinegar will give you great results.
2. Also, get some distilled water. Enough to add to the water reservoir at least twice.
3. Empty the reservoir completely of old water.
4. Add a considerable amount of vinegar and distilled water to the steam generator iron. Keep the solution to 50 percent vinegar and 50 percent distilled water.
5. Run the steam generator iron at the highest temperature.
6. Wait for about five minutes before you empty the water tank.
7. Use more distilled water to properly rinse the tank to get rid of all traces of the vinegar. To “rinse” off the solution, pour the distilled water into the tank and reheat for a minute before removing this water as well.
8. Allow the steam generator iron to sit horizontally on a cloth. This allows any water that remained behind in the tank to evaporate.
9. If the vinegar smell remains you can repeat the rinsing step and the odour should be completely gone after that.

Limescale and other issues can also damage your electric kettle to the point where it starts to leak. Learn more about the top reasons why your electric kettle is leaking and how to fix it at home.

A Quick Summary On Why Steam Generator Irons Stop Steaming

• Steam generator irons are great tools for those who have a lot of laundry or large items like sheets to iron.
• One of the most common complaints is that the iron is starting to produce less or no steam.
• Two things are mainly responsible when a steam generator iron stops to produce strong steam.
• These reasons include improper care or handling and the build-up of limescale.
• Damage from improper care can be avoided by following the guidelines stipulated in the user manual.
• If the damage is already done, one might contact the manufacturer’s help division or have the appliance fixed by an independent company.
• Limescale can be removed by steaming the water tank with a vinegar solution.
• Limescale can also be prevented by only using soft water or distilled water instead of tap water from a hard water area.
• Proper care and limescale prevention will add many years to the lifespan of your steam generator iron.