Iron question

[femkes_follies]

For the other seamstress-y types....

I have a relatively new iron. It's a Rowenta, and it specifies in the instructions NOT to use distilled water, or it will leak. It's apparently designed to be "self-cleaning" and requires tap water.

Now, the last two times I've used it, a "blast of steam" has come out as a blast of white mineral powder and crunchies. Hmmmmm - almost looks like limescale.

Is this HOW it "self-cleans?" 'Cause now I've got a brand-new ironing board cover full of gunk. Once it dries I'm sure it will brush off, but... grrrrrrr.

Should I ignore the instructions and use distilled water anyway? Or cut the tap water with distilled? Or just buy plain bottled water, since that probably has a more standard mineral level? I'm on city water, rather than a well. But it's an older house with older pipes. And West Michigan has a lot of limestone, so I imagine there's a fair degree of Calcium in the water.

Thoughts?

Comments

[ablackram.livejournal.com]

I had that from the tap water too. So I bought a gallon of Spring water for a buck at Meijers. Since then no white junk at all.

[sugarcoatedlie.livejournal.com]

Not that I consider myself much of a seamstress, but I have a decent cheapie iron (a Black & Decker Quick & Easy 300), and I always use water from the Brita filter in it with good results. I inherited mine from my boyfriend, and I have no idea if it has any self-cleaning features or anything though.

[femkederoas.livejournal.com]

I used to have one similar, until the nonstick coating started flaking off and I got totally disgusted. I upgraded a while back, when JoAnns had coupons for 50% off any iron. :-)

MOST irons (especially with steam features) will recommend distilled water. I'm a bit flummoxed because this one says specifically NOT to use distilled, or it leaks. So when I iron with my linen water (Which is distilled, though scented), I cut it 50:50 with tap. I don't mind, because it stretches my linen water. I just don't know if the sudden problem is because I've run several cycles of tap water through it uncut, or because it's been sitting for a bit unused. Or what. *sigh*

It IS frustrating when you can't get your equipment to work correctly. Especially when it's stuff you invested in to specifically improve your results. Next on the list: a stand lamp of some kind so I can hand sew in the living room. There really isn't enough light, otherwise. I'm too cheap for an Ott light, but I might do a regular lamp with a "natural daylight" bulb.

[sugarcoatedlie.livejournal.com]

hm. I haven't had any problems with the coating or otherwise. In fact, I joke with John all the time that I can't ever break up with him because I can't bear to see him take the iron. heh. I'm mostly ironing quilting cotton and stuff though, so I don't really need anything better at this point.

Lighting has been an issue for us anyway. I can never find the happy place that provides enough light for knitting projects, and still seems cozy and not overly bright for snuggling on the couch. I did just reorganize the living room (in preparation for a new loveseat) and so far I'm happy with the lighting. I guess we'll see once the loveseat is in place and I find an appropriate end table for the lamp I want to put there.