Why does the water in my iron tank look cloudy or have particles in it?

Modified on Mon, 24 Aug at 3:12 PM

Cloudy water or small particles usually point to limescale, residue from tap water or build-up inside the tank. That can affect steam quality, so it is sensible to deal with it early, but do not open the appliance housing or attempt any internal cleaning.

  1. Empty the tank and refill it with fresh water, then check whether the cloudiness returns.
  2. Run the self-cleaning function only if the iron is cool and the product is ready for that maintenance step.
  3. Use the iron on a safe setting after cleaning and see whether steam improves.
  4. Wipe the soleplate gently after use to prevent residue from transferring back into the tank area.
  5. If particles keep appearing, or the water leaks, smells unpleasant or discolours fabric, stop using the iron and contact the retailer or store where it was purchased.

What you should expect

Clear water is preferable, and the tank should not shed visible debris during normal use. Persistent particles suggest scale or residue that is not clearing with routine maintenance.

When to stop using it

Stop using the iron if the particles seem metallic, the unit leaks, or the tank area shows damage.

Was this article helpful?

That’s Great!

Thank you for your feedback

Sorry! We couldn't be helpful

Thank you for your feedback

Let us know how can we improve this article!

Select at least one of the reasons
CAPTCHA verification is required.

Feedback sent

We appreciate your effort and will try to fix the article