Steam generators and irons are a staple in the home so that we can keep our clothes wrinkle-free. Whether it’s a pile of laundry you’re working through or getting your date-night shirt looking perfect, we always need our appliance to be working effectively. If you ever find your iron is not heating correctly this can put your ironing to a halt – but not to worry. You can easily rectify heating issues to get your iron steaming away as required.
Check the power source used is appropriate
If the appliance isn’t powering on at all or doesn’t appear to be heating, it is worth checking the plug socket it is plugged into. We recommend trying an alternative socket and if plugged into an extension lead, try plugging it directly into a mains socket.
Consider the chosen temperature setting
You should consider if the iron has been set to the correct temperature for the fabric you are ironing. If set to the incorrect temperature, it may appear it isn’t heating correctly as it is not giving the desired results. We recommend looking at the available settings and referencing this with the clothing being ironed as well as any care labels on the fabric.
Clean the soleplate of any dirt and debris
It is important to keep the soleplate of the appliance clean as this prevents blockages, allows it to steam effectively, and helps you to glide it across fabrics when ironing. Each appliance has different cleaning instructions, so check your user manual for specifics for your product. We recommend turning the appliance off, unplugging and waiting until it has completely cooled down and then use a soft cloth and warm water to wipe away dirt.
Remove limescale from the appliance by descaling
Limescale can build up in your appliance and cause blockages which affect the ability to heat and steam. This will need to be removed to get the appliance working effectively. A lot of steam generators have an auto-descale function, so refer to your manual as to how to activate this. For other irons, you may be able to use a mild descaling solution. Check the user manual for your specific model to get the best way to descale.
Use of distilled water
It is also worth trying distilled water rather than tap water if you are using your appliance for steaming. Depending on the water in your area, tap water is likely to be full of mineral deposits which contribute to a build-up of limescale. By using distilled water, you can avoid this and help your appliance to operate to the best of its ability.
Observe any indicator lights
With most irons and steam generators offering a multitude of modes, you will often find indicator lights flashing to signal what mode is being used. If your appliance is not heating up or steaming check the lights; you may find it could be an in auto-cleaning mode and needs to finish this process to continue using. Be sure to consult your user manual for the meanings of any indicator lights.
What next?
Using these simple tips, you should be able to solve issues on your appliance. If you are still experiencing issues, we suggest consulting your user manual or visiting the support page for your product.