How to clean a Tefal iron from scale inside at home

Keeping your clothes looking their best requires a clean iron, and even the best irons—like Tefal’s—can develop internal scale accumulation over time. This accumulation can cause unsightly stains on your most beloved garments in addition to impairing the iron’s functionality.

Thankfully, removing scale from a Tefal iron at home is a simple procedure that doesn’t call for pricey supplies or expert assistance. You can extend the life and maximize the performance of your iron by maintaining its optimal condition with a few easy steps.

Using materials you probably already own at home, we’ll walk you through simple ways to remove scale from the interior of your Tefal iron in this post. Together, we can ensure that your clothes remain in top condition and your iron operates efficiently. Let’s get started.

Step	Description
1	Fill the water tank with a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar.
2	Turn on the iron and set it to the steam setting.
3	Let the iron heat up and steam for about 5-10 minutes to allow the vinegar solution to loosen the scale.
4	Turn off the iron and let it cool down.
5	Empty the water tank and rinse it thoroughly with clean water to remove any remaining vinegar solution.
6	Wipe the soleplate and vents with a damp cloth to remove any residue.

Self-cleaning function

A lot of Tefal irons made today, like the Ultimate Anti-Calc and FV9785E0 models, come with an integrated self-cleaning system. Their body has a unique button that activates the self-cleaning mode.

You can efficiently remove limescale with this function, and the process only requires a few easy steps:

1. Heat the iron to the maximum temperature, then turn it off. Repeat the procedure twice and unplug the appliance.
2. Fill the tank with clean water, then press the self-cleaning button to switch the appliance to a special operating mode.
3. Carry out the procedure over a previously prepared container, but do not use a sink or bathtub for draining, otherwise the limescale will settle on their bottom.

The liquid evaporation from the tank and the peeling limescale come out due to the high temperature. You can increase the water’s effectiveness by adding a small amount of citric acid, but vinegar should never be used in its place. Acetic acid exposure causes the internal components to fail very quickly.

The liquid vaporizes in the presence of high temperatures inside the tank and emerges along with the peeling scale.

Once the manipulation is finished, the iron’s sole needs to be cleaned and dried. Strong shaking should be done while the machine is working, and the self-cleaning button needs to be held down the entire time.

Read the instructions carefully before using the function as there may be differences in the self-cleaning process depending on the device model.

Keep an eye on the rod for plaque protection to make sure the measures taken are effective. To remove the element to the outside, press the white button, which is typically found next to the water tank. If there are still traces of scale on it, more cleaning is required.

Put the component in a container with a 200 ml clean water and 1 tablespoon 9% vinegar solution. The rod will be thoroughly cleaned in five to ten minutes; after that, it just needs to be dried, rinsed with water, and reinstalled.

Tefal irons should have their anti-scale rods cleaned at least once a month.

Remember that one procedure might not produce the desired outcome, particularly if it is not done frequently. The manufacturer recommends doing automatic cleaning at least twice or three times a month if the equipment is used actively.

Simple folk remedies against scale

Older or less expensive Tefal models might not have a self-cleaning mechanism. If your device is exactly like this, don’t worry; you can use tried-and-true folk remedies to remove the scale from the iron.

Citric acid

Citric acid, which is present in practically every home, is one of the efficient methods. It enables you to remove scale quickly without endangering the device’s internal components.

When using citric acid for cleaning, activate the steam mode button.

The method of cleaning with lemon powder is similar to self-cleaning. Dissolve 25 g of the product (1 sachet) in 20 ml of water in a glass. After that, transfer the solution into the tank and attach the iron to the main power supply. Turn on the "Steam boost" feature after heating. Thus, the holes will be cleaned from the inside out as the acid and plaque react chemically to dissolve the plaque. Lastly, to get rid of any leftover citric acid, repeat the process using clean water.

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Make sure the device is clean by performing a control ironing after cleaning.

Mineral water

Rich in composition, mineral water has shown itself to be an excellent weapon against salt buildup on equipment’s heating components. After adding the liquid to the iron’s container, preheat the apparatus to +140 °C. Turn on the steam mode while holding the device over a basin. Use distilled water to clean up after the process is complete.

Vinegar

It’s not always necessary to run the liquid through the entire iron in order for the water containing active ingredients to remove scale from the inside of the sole. You can use table vinegar to create a "bath." You will need specialized stovetop dishes, like a baking sheet or frying pan, to accomplish this.

The steps involved are as follows:

• Put the turned off the iron up the sole down inside the dishes on two parallel wooden planks;
• Prepare a solution of 1 liter of water and 2 t. l. citric acid or 200 ml of vinegar;
• put the mixture on the fire and bring to a boil;
• pour hot liquid into the pan so that the level does not reach the plastic elements of the device. The water should completely cover the sole and internal channels;
• leave the product for 1 hour, periodically heating the water with the active substance.

Table 9% vinegar should only be used for outside cleaning.

Some housewives just set up the structure with everything needed on a gas stove, then steam the product for ten to fifteen minutes, allowing the scale to dissolve completely and slide out. Should there be salt buildup in the water tank, it is cleaned with soda or separately cleaned under a warm running water stream.

Once the process is finished, allow the iron to cool before using a gentle, moist cloth to wipe the sole and remove any leftover plaque.

After a day of not using the device, test ironing with a steam cleaner on a piece of superfluous fabric. You will thus notice that items will not develop yellow stains or spots.

Chemical means for cleaning plaque

Pencil

You can buy pencils in any household to clean the iron. In addition to cleaning the holes that allow steam to escape, the product’s structure involves removing carbon deposits from the outside of the sole. Because cleaning is done while the work surface is heated, the only thing you need to know about treating the surface is to take precautions.

After adding water to the iron tank, heat the device to its highest setting. Use the pencil’s working side to gently touch the soles. As the product starts to melt, the plaque that results will also start to come off. After 30 seconds, use an old rag to gently remove the melted residue. Turn on the steam cleaner to use steam to clean the holes, and then use a dry cloth to wipe the sole.

Even though the manipulation is straightforward and easy, remember that the treatment process will release an unpleasant odor that may make you feel lightheaded. Make sure the area is well-ventilated before beginning the procedure to prevent any negative effects.

If the iron is meant to be used for pressing children’s clothing, it is not advised to use strong household chemicals.

"Antinakipin" or similar

The product "Antinakipin" is thought to be the most widely purchased item for preventing scale. Mineral deposits will dissolve easily with it, and then their removal won’t be too difficult. As directed, dilute the product with clean water before adding the solution to the tank. After that, the device must be heated to its highest setting, turned off from the network, and left for 30 minutes.

The volume of the tank determines how much cleaning solution is used.

The apparatus is then intensely heated once more, and all of the liquid and plaque fragments are removed once it has cooled. The container must then be dried, cleaned under running water, and replaced. Make careful to iron a test piece of extraneous fabric after the process.

Topperr ("Topper")

A company called Topperr manufactures a range of goods and solutions for iron maintenance.

One of the Topperr company’s products intended to remove scale from irons

Water is added to the preparation in a 2:1 ratio. Next, you must take incremental action:

1. Pour the solution into the water container.
2. Heat the unit, holding it in a vertical position.
3. Turn off the device from the outlet and place it horizontally on an unnecessary piece of fabric, placing a piece of oilcloth on the ironing board.
4. Leave the iron in this position for 2-3 hours.
5. Drain the used liquid and fill the tank with clean water.
6. Heat up the unit, set the steam mode and clean the holes in the sole with it.

(The technology is subject to change; always refer to the instructions on the packaging.)

When a stream of pure hot air emerges from the holes, the cleaning process is said to be finished.

Others

A popular household chemical for eliminating scale from an iron is Optima Plus OP-020, a German product. It can be used without worrying about breaking the device because it only contains organic components. The effects of use are apparent right away, if you believe the reviews. Read the instructions and take the precautions outlined in them before beginning any cleaning.

Scale removers like Magic Power, Bon, and others are widely available in the market. You can use any of these or tried-and-true home cures to clean the ironing device of scale. We hope that our suggestions will assist you in making the best decision.

Your Tefal iron will operate more effectively and last longer if you keep it free of scale. Using common household items like vinegar or lemon juice for routine cleaning can have a significant impact.

Descale your iron for a few minutes to avoid any buildup that could impair its functionality. It’s a quick chore that can prevent more serious problems later on.

Recall that using a clean iron not only makes ironing simpler but also helps shield your clothing from stains and unsightly marks. Include descaling in your iron’s routine maintenance.

With the correct methods, cleaning a Tefal iron from scale at home is easy. You can dissolve and remove mineral buildup from the water reservoir and keep your iron in good working order and your clothes wrinkle-free. Common household items like vinegar and lemon juice can be used for this purpose.

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