hive mind: cleaning a steam iron?

[anotheranon]

Does anyone have any good tips for cleaning a steam iron?

I've not cleaned mine in... awhile, and the steam no longer comes out. Speculating that this is due to mineral deposits gained through frequent use, I put a water/vinegar solution in the reservoir and cranked it up to high, with still no steam (though it heats up fine).

Do I need more 1) vinegar, 2) patience, or something else? Failing this, does anyone have reliable suggestions re: steam-ironing with a non steaming iron (spritz fabric with water, iron as usual?)

Anecdotes welcome.

Comments

[seamstrix.livejournal.com]

Well, assumign tha tthe clogging is due to a lime buildup on the iside, you might need a stronger vinegar solution and you might need to give it more time. It might be clogging from the exterior if you do alot of iron over melty stuff (that's a technical term). There's a cream that they sell at fabric stores called 'Iron-Off' that should take gunk off the outside of the iron. It smells foul and smokes alot but does the job.

My water has a high level of lime in it (I'm surprised it isn't crunchy, actually) so I never put water in my iron. I have a spray bottle on my ironing board and just spritz away as I'm ironing. Spray- wait a minute or so for the water to soak in- iron until suitably dry. By that time, the wrinkles are long gone. Works great on linen.