Steam generator iron ...

[mrs.chappie]

I have a steam generator iron ... the instructions say not to use any water except distilled. Would it be okay to put a couple of drops of essential oil in the distilled water? Or would it be best not to risk it?

Also, the iron has a ceramic sole-plate. Could I make a mix up with a wee drop of essential oil in a spray bottle and spray it on the clothes? Or would this damage the sole-plate?

Finally, does anyone know how to clean a ceramic sole-plate? I have a waxy-type iron cleaner but it doesn't shift the marks off this particular iron.

Thanks for any replies. x

[TheWinner]

Why not add the essential oil to the final rinse water when washing your clothes then it won't ruin your iron. Steam generator irons aren't cheap.

[mrs.chappie]

I have done that on occasion but it waters your essential oil down quite a lot.

You're right about the cost of the iron. It was supposedly half price and it was still £100! Bloody good though. :o)

[gingejbee]

The reason for using distilled water is so there is no residue remaining in the boiler. If you use any essential oil, that will leave a residue and will be difficult to remove.

[mrs.chappie]

Thanks ginge. What about spraying the perfumed water from a spray bottle? Do you think it would damage the sole-plate?

[TheWinner]

I suppose you could make up a spray bottle but use an ironing cloth.

[gingejbee]

Not sure about damage to the iron- but the application of direct heat to even very dilute essential oil would probably"spoil" the fragrance - might end up smelling unpleasant. Don't forget these oils are supposed to be kept cool (and dark).

[mrs.chappie]

Using diluted essential oil worked fine with my old iron. I also had one of those Elnapress steam presses, and that worked well with the oil, but I don't think I dare take the risk with this new one, just in case I bu88er it up.

Thanks again. x

[mrs.chappie]

Errr .... 'cos I like the smell? :o)

[DEN53]

I bought one of these type of irons from Ideal World the shopping channel - it was a Polti Vaporiser - it just dripped all over the clothes - they were soaking wet - I sent it back for a refund. Is this normal ?

[mrs.chappie]

Den, it sounds like a fault.

Mine doesn't drip at all. I do like it, but I do miss using perfumed water on my ironing. Marks and Spencers do a really nice one.

Sometimes I made my own perfumed water by adding a few drops of fabric conditioner into the water chamber. It conditioned the clothes too. You can't do that with steam generators.

[Jemisa]

You can use 'Vapouress' in it, thats pure distilled water with lovely perfumes.

My sister in law does anyway with no probs. If you're not sure ring their help-line up.

I've bought an ironing press - Bliss.

jem

[mrs.chappie]

Jem, it says in the instruction book ... you can't use anything except distilled water. It also says that you will invalidate the guarantee if you use anything else other than water. It actually says not to use perfumed water or essential oils. :o(

It's good to know that someone else does, though, with no problems. Does your sil have a steam generator ... the one with a separate tank? Or a steam iron, with the tank inside the iron?

I had an Elnapress and I liked it, but when it developed a fault my sister persuaded me to buy a steam generator. I did have a bit of a problem lifting the Elnapress ... it was quite heavy. The vap-o-jet took perfumed water with no problems, and I do miss that part of it.

[Jemisa]

Mrs C my sil has a steam genorator with sep/tank. I think a lot of these manufacturers try to cover themseves with silly sugestions. Now Comfort the makers of 'Vapouress' are aware that customers are now using these steam gen'ters and thats why their product can be used because its pure distilled water, Gradually as more cust's use these steam g's they would go bust soo they must cater for it.
Thats what my sil says.

jem

[boxtops]

Jem, I love my press. I still find I have to traditional-iron some things though. It's a job I need to do, there is a pile about three feet high in my front room...

[mrs.chappie]

Thanks Jem. I'm very tempted to give it a go.

[rowanwitch]

The oils in a spray bottle should be fine...Vaporesse smells really synthetic

You can buy some really nice scented ironing waters though I put rosewater in my spray bottle for clothes sometimes and lavender water for the bed linen..

[LoftyLottie]

I rarely iron!! But I still read this thread. I don't like anything that makes my clothes smell, detergent, softener, anything. I love the smell of fresh air on my clothes though.
When I need something ironed I just iron it!!

However, I use cooled, boiled water in my iron and have never had any problems. Probably because it doesn't get an awful lot of use!!

[mrs.chappie]

Thanks all!

I bought some really nice ironing water from M & S today. Gee, I must be getting old ... actually looking forward to using it.

[HJT40]

Mrs Chappie, I love to see someone happy in their work, what time shall I drop my ironing round?!