I simply cant get the iron to stay on. It shuts off

If you are having trouble with your steam iron leaking or dripping water, then this tip is for you.

The first thing to remember is that the wrong water can cause you many problems with your iron. If you are experiencing problems, one of the first things to try is to use different water in your iron. Steam irons need a certain amount of mineral in the water for them to operate properly, but too much mineral, iron, or organic matter can be disaster.

Too much will cause all sorts of problems. Brown water, white scale and other problems will come from the wrong water. The wrong water will also cause the iron to corrode and leak. Of course not taking care to store the iron properly will also cause corrosion and leaks. See my other steam iron tips on the brown water and white scale issues.

So, if you are having problems, you must first figure out if it is bad water causing the steam iron to spit the water out of if in fact you have a leak internally. Internal leaks are not repairable. They are often caused by a combination of poor water quality and not drying the iron properly before storage. Either of these can cause internal corrosion and lead to leakage. Make sure to use good bottled spring water and empty the iron before storage. Lay the iron horizontal for a few seconds while hot to dry the remaining water from the tank before storing on its heel.

Poor water quality can also cause the iron to spit the water back out the wrong places and give you the impression that you are leaking, when in fact you are not. Water that makes steam too rapidly, will spit out all over the place and will not want to stay in the tank and make steam. Before assuming that you have a bad leaking iron, try using different water first. You may also need to follow my tip for cleaning the water tank of your iron, so that the different water can be effective.

In short, the wrong water can cause many problems when it comes to steam irons. Do some experimenting before you buy another one only to soon have the same problems all over again.