Although disassembling an iron may appear difficult, it is actually quite manageable if you have the correct instructions. You must be able to disassemble an iron correctly in order to clean it, repair it, or simply satisfy your curiosity.
This tutorial takes you step-by-step through the procedure, emphasizing the equipment you’ll need and safety measures to take. We’ll also offer advice on how to resolve typical problems that come up during disassembly so you can complete the task securely and successfully.
When you’re prepared to get started, let’s examine how to identify your iron without hurting yourself or getting frustrated.
Although disassembling an iron may appear difficult, it is manageable if you follow the correct procedures. With the help of this guide, you can safely disassemble your iron by following the steps listed, from taking off the casing to getting to the internal parts. You’ll discover crucial advice to manage the process without endangering your appliance, whether you’re cleaning or troubleshooting a problem.
Disassembling the case
Next, we’ll walk you through the disassembly process of Tefal irons, including the well-known Supergliss 3530 and 3535 models, the Ultragliss Ocean series, and other items with a metal-ceramic Ultragliss Diffusion sole.
The Tefal Supergliss 3530 iron looks like this.
Since the fastening screws in the bodies of French electric irons have caps with hexagonal recesses, make sure you have a screwdriver with a TORX tip on hand before beginning any DIY Tefal iron repairs.
A standard set of TORX socket heads that are well-liked by French manufacturers
Try using a basic slotted screwdriver with the right tip size to remove the screws as a last resort. Keep in mind that plastic latches and other fasteners can break easily if you exert too much force on them. As a result, when disassembling the case, proceed precisely and carefully, adhering to the order of disassembly shown in the table.
Remove the two screws located at the iron’s base. The locations shown by red circles are where you can find them. Next, take off the tiny cover that the lower screw was holding in place.
Remove the top portion of the case, which has buttons and a funnel to fill with water, with care. Four latches hold this part in place: two on each side and two more at the back, right behind the buttons.
Pull the iron’s lower section towards you and up a little bit to remove the handle’s upper section. The arrow points in that direction.
After removing the housing’s upper section, unscrew the screws whose heads are visible in the picture.
After removing the handle’s upper section, unscrew the two screws that were now accessible (marked in the photo)
Use a screwdriver to pry open and take out the thermostat adjustment disk.
Pull in your direction to take out the electrical unit from the contact group that has the power cord attached.
After removing the electrical unit, unscrew two additional screws that are now accessible (marked in the photo). Following that, the plastic housing holding the water tank can be removed.
If the electric iron has been used for an extended period of time without being cleaned, the metal sole will appear in this form after disconnecting.
After ironing, thoroughly clean the metal base to remove any remaining dust, debris, and fabric fibers. Additionally, clean every steam hole on the sole’s operating surface. To remove scale, fill the filler hole (seen in the photo) with a solution of vinegar or citric acid. After an hour, drain the liquid containing the leftover limescale and give the sole a good wash under running water.
It is necessary to clean the sole. Put together in the opposite order. Aim to avoid leaving "extra" parts and fasteners.
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This is how the Tefal iron’s metal-ceramic sole should appear after using citric acid to remove burnt-on deposits and debris.
Why you shouldn"t repair some models yourself
It is not advisable to disassemble certain devices at home. Models of contemporary cordless Tefal irons are among these products. There are two categories for these devices:
- iron devices that receive electricity through the contact pads of the charging stations;
- devices with a cable unit that shoots off after heating.
Cordless iron Tefal Freemove FV9920 with contact charging station
The issue is that only service centers have the specialized equipment needed to diagnose damage to these devices. Bimetallic plates of the control devices for shooting off have a weak point in devices with cables that shoot off; these plates oxidize with time. Owners must raise the heating temperature at which the cable needs to separate from the ironing device in order to keep using the iron. It will be necessary to replace or clean oxidized plates in a service center.
Common malfunctions
The ironing gadgets from this French manufacturer are always getting better. But the chance of malfunctions and failures increases with their complexity. This axiom holds true for all contemporary home appliances. Every gadget has weak points, which eventually reveal themselves through a variety of malfunctions. The most frequent reasons why Tefal irons break are displayed in the table.
Breakdowns most frequently occur from a break or short circuit in the power cord. Typically, when a malfunction of this kind occurs, contact between the current-carrying cores is caused by a broken insulation or a wire that is not making contact with the connector. In this instance, the exposed wire section needs to be well-insulated or the contact needs to be restored. The best course of action is to swap out the damaged power cord for a functional one.
The accumulation of scale within the steam holes and the sole’s steam-generating compartment reduces the amount of steam that reaches the fabric’s fibers. This happens as a result of using the iron improperly. You will need to take the iron apart entirely in order to remove the scale from the sole. After that, submerge the component—ensuring the contact pads remain out of the liquid—in a vinegar or citric acid solution. The issue can be resolved by using cotton swabs to clean the holes, but only temporarily.
One of the most frequent problems is a temperature controller that isn’t working properly. The thermostat’s contact pads get clogged over time. It only needs to be cleaned with a fine sandpaper or any sharp object to regain its functionality. The electric iron must be disassembled in order to accomplish this. Utilizing a multimeter, the cleaning outcome is examined.
Harm to a reusable or throwaway fuse. The ironing device won’t heat up in this situation. A multimeter can be used to verify that the fuse element is operational. Its resistance is zero when it is in good condition. The tester screen will blink to show no contact if it is broken. In this instance, replacing the fuse is necessary.
An additional explanation for the Tefal ironing device’s sole not heating up is a breakdown of the electric heater (TEN). Modern models have the heating element structurally integrated into the sole, so it will require replacement. Since the price of this part is similar to that of a new iron, you should think carefully about whether buying a new device or investing the time and money to find, buy, and replace the sole
Watch this video to find out more about the main issues with contemporary irons and how to fix them:
Prevention of common defects
It is sufficient to follow these basic guidelines to prevent performance loss brought on by scale formation:
- use only distilled or well-filtered soft water for steam generation;
- avoid the formation of burns on the work surface, periodically clean it with vinegar, citric acid or a special pencil;
- do not allow excessive deformation and kinks of the power cord.
Electric vessel soles can be cleaned by using a vinegar solution.
To sum up, it should be mentioned that owners can typically fix the majority of damage to vintage Tefal steam irons. It is sufficient to have a small toolkit, a multimeter, and a rudimentary understanding of electrical engineering.
| Step | Instructions |
| 1. Unplug | Make sure the iron is disconnected from the power source. |
| 2. Empty Water | Drain any remaining water from the tank. |
| 3. Remove Soleplate | Unscrew and detach the bottom plate if your model allows. |
| 4. Inspect Parts | Check for any loose wires, clogged holes, or buildup. |
| 5. Clean | Use a cloth or brush to clean inside and around the soleplate. |
| 6. Reassemble | Secure the soleplate and ensure everything is tight. |
Disassembling your iron isn’t as difficult as it might appear. You can easily access its internal components and fix common problems like blockages, leaks, or wiring issues with the correct tools and careful attention. Just keep in mind that you should always unplug the iron and allow it to cool fully before using it.
Since each model may differ slightly from the other, it’s critical to observe how the parts are assembled and to keep an eye out for small parts and screws. Correct reassembly is essential to preventing additional damage.
Using a step-by-step guide can simplify any task, whether you’re just curious about how your iron works or need to fix a malfunction. You can save time and money by doing small repairs yourself if you have the patience and care necessary.
