Dodgy iron

**Russ** · 08-12-2005, 21:04

About a year ago I bought one of those 'value' Tesco irons.

It was fine for most of the year but a few months ago it started acting erratically, for example as it heated up, the water inside would dribble out of the holes in the base. Other times when I pressed the button for steam, I'd get something like a powdery substance coming out with it. Other times the thermostat setting would be all over the place - when I'd need it on a low setting (like tonight while ironing my brand new Man Utd shirt), it would be actually be too hot to use and will almost ruin whatever I'm ironing (as what happened to my last United shirt). This happened with the last fairly cheap iron I used.

OK OK I know the score - avoid cheap irons but surely I shouldn't expect this sort of thing?

Chris W · 08-12-2005, 21:16

i think the powdery substance is due to hard water... do what mrs does and use water from the britta filter

cookie_365 · 08-12-2005, 21:17

Take it back; Tescos are usually pretty good when it comes to this kind of thing.

**Russ** · 08-12-2005, 21:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by cookie_365

Take it back; Tescos are usually pretty good when it comes to this kind of thing.

It was about a year ago, I paid cash and haven't got the receipt...

Marge · 08-12-2005, 21:19

hang on a minute Russ, you actually confess to owning and being able to use an iron

well i never, miracles do happen

Gareth · 08-12-2005, 21:20

#Washing machines (and irons..?) live longer with Calgon

Seriously, we too have hard water here, and kettles, washing machines, boilers, irons, etc... fur-up due to the calcium. Where possible, we use a Britta water filter too.

**Russ** · 08-12-2005, 21:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marge

hang on a minute Russ, you actually confess to owning and being able to use an iron

well i never, miracles do happen

Clarie has trained me well

Wicked_and_Crazy · 08-12-2005, 21:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris W

i think the powdery substance is due to hard water... do what mrs does and use water from the britta filter

its will still lime up even if you do that but a bit slower.

Your supposed to flush the iron out after every use if you read the instructions. On some irons you turn the steam dial right around until it pops out and you can withdraw the pin and this creates higher pressure steam to flush it out.

If you cant do that id recommend that you put some Viakal through it every 3 months or so. This should disolve the lime. However make sure you flush the solution out thoroughly

The lime might be causing the thermostat you receive false readings

---------- Post added at 21:24 ---------- Previous post was at 21:23 ----------

you could always get a water softener installed

**Maggy J** · 08-12-2005, 22:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris W

i think the powdery substance is due to hard water... do what mrs does and use water from the britta filter

I thought Wales had 'soft' water?

Wicked_and_Crazy · 08-12-2005, 22:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Incognitas

I thought Wales had 'soft' water?

Thats the people

08-12-2005, 22:56

this is a 'value' iron at about a fiver, right ??

- a pack of razor blades costs me more than that, why do we pay big bucks for some things, but expect endless use out of other, much cheaper, stuff ??

- not meant as a flame, Russ, you sparked a thought, is all

Wicked_and_Crazy · 08-12-2005, 23:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by homealone

this is a 'value' iron at about a fiver, right ??

- a pack of razor blades costs me more than that, why do we pay big bucks for some things, but expect endless use out of other, much cheaper, stuff ??

- not meant as a flame, Russ, you sparked a thought, is all

Thats so true. I think it comes from the mentality that its an electrical item and therefore traditionally they cost more than other items so therefore they're expected to last. However over the last few years they've become much cheaper but our mindset hasnt changed.

I know ive at times gone for the really cheap option on the basis of "ill replace it next year when it breaks down" 5 years later its still working and ive forgot how little i paid.

**Russ** · 08-12-2005, 23:08

But I'd expect more than a year's use out of it though.

monkey2468 · 08-12-2005, 23:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ D

But I'd expect more than a year's use out of it though.

I bought an (what I would consider expensive) iron from argos about 18 months ago. the water started leaking into the the electrics (which killed it). I took it back to argos without reciept and said it was given as a house warming present about 10 months ago. they no longer make the particular iron so as an exchange could choose a different brand.

So you havn't even had it a year, have you Russ

**Russ** · 08-12-2005, 23:16

Hmmm, tesco are known for having good customer service - I'll try taking it back this weekend and see how far I get