Only high-quality water for the iron can prevent the appearance of streaks and yellow spots on clothes. A liquid containing a large amount of impurities of salts and calcium, can damage the device, as well as spoil new things. Which water for the iron is suitable for use, and which is not advisable to use, it is worth knowing to any owner of the equipment.
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How to pour water into an iron
Tank filling methods vary by model. In budget irons, the fill hole is small, so they are equipped with a special plastic measuring cup with a narrow nose. In more expensive models, manufacturers make it big so that the owner can pour water directly from the tap.
As for the location of the fill hole, it is most often placed on the front of the iron. For low-cost models, it is open, for options more expensive - closed with a sealed lid. There are a number of models in which the fill hole is located at the rear of the appliance. To fill the tank, it is necessary to turn the iron upside down and substitute under a stream of water.
Which water can be poured and which not
Trying to minimize the influence of harmful impurities, manufacturers complete their products with various cleaning systems. However, using the right fluid can extend the life of the instrument.
Boiled water
Pouring it instead of the usual tap does not make any sense. Heat treatment kills bacteria well, but has almost no effect on the salt content in the liquid.
Some experts advise using demineralized water with boiled water. Pouring a special liquid in its pure form is quite expensive, especially on an ongoing basis. Mixed with boiled, demineralized water at the same time protect the inside of the iron and will not make a breach in the budget.
Special water
Special ironing water is free from impurities that may settle inside the appliance. It is sold ready-made and can immediately be poured into a steamer or iron tank. Often, manufacturers add perfumes to it, which give the laundry a pleasant smell and facilitate ironing.
The main disadvantage of specialized water is the price. With constant use, the cost of it will be quite substantial. In addition, an abundance of fragrances can lead to stains on clothing.
Distilled water
A distilled product is obtained by heating a liquid to a boiling point and condensing the resulting vapors. Such water is devoid of impurities, at first glance, it can serve as an ideal option for steaming. However, distilled water for the iron has several significant disadvantages:
- Increased boiling point. This property of purified water leads to an increase in the duration of heating. As a result, on the one hand, the energy consumption necessary for steam generation increases, on the other hand, the tank and components overheat.
- Increased fluidity due to the absence of impurities. Experts say that such water will leak from the sole, bypassing the drip system.
In addition, the distillate must be purchased separately. It costs less than a specialized liquid, but buying it on an ongoing basis will be unprofitable. Alternatively, you can pour distilled water into the iron by mixing it with tap water. And for the money it will not be so noticeable, and by its properties this solution is quite suitable for steaming.
Melt and well water
Such a liquid is very different in quality depending on the place of residence.Pure in appearance, it may contain more impurities than tap water. In addition, such water does not undergo antibacterial treatment, therefore, bacteria will begin to multiply inside the tank. If you constantly use untreated liquid for the iron, a greenish coating and an odor may appear on the walls of the tank.
Even clean well water, which does not contain impurities and bacteria, can harm the device if it is too hard. Therefore, you can use it only after a thorough study, which can give a laboratory analysis.
Water cooler
Due to the high content of minerals, such a liquid cannot be poured into the iron tank. Regular use of water from the cooler can lead to whitish deposits on the walls of the tank.
Tap water
Modern models are designed for the use of tap water. However, sometimes its quality leaves much to be desired. In order to neutralize the possible negative consequences that tap water (plaque, rust) can cause, it should be diluted in equal proportions with the distillate.
Only cold water is suitable for ironing. Hot is considered technical, not drinking. The requirements for its quality are much lower and the content of impurities in such a liquid will be greater.
Warm water
By pouring warm water, the owner can save time and energy spent on heating it. However, in classic models, this savings is negligible, a small benefit can only be if you pour water into an iron with a steamer. In addition, warm water from the network is not of high quality, and there is no point in specially heating the filtered or distilled water - it will take time and energy. Thus, you can use warm water, but it is pointless.
Filtered water
Filtered water is best for steaming. Passing through a multi-stage cleaning system, it gets rid of excess salts, impurities and bacteria. It is only necessary to make sure that the filter contains components that soften the liquid. Otherwise, even purified water will contribute to the appearance of scale in the iron.
DIY iron water
You can prepare flavored water for the iron yourself. It is best to take filtered or mix tap with distilled. To add flavor, you can add a few drops of conditioner or essential oil. It is important not to overdo it with additives, preparing water with your own hands, so that after ironing things do not appear stains.
In order for the iron to work properly, it is necessary not only to use high-quality water, but also to periodically clean it from scale. Only in this case, you can be sure that the device will serve its due time and will not spoil clean things with drips.
