I love my iron, BUT I used to be able to clean it by the recommended method, but now it will not shoot out steam to clean the holes. It does not steam on clothes even though I prees the steam button. The water level doesn't change either. I have changed the water several times but nothing changes. I have had this iron for about five years. What can I do?? Thanks for whatever help you can suggest!! Jan Brier

use a quality iron cleaning product in the tank
use on scrap material until there is no gunk coming out of the holes

I suspect that the iron is clogged with mineral deposits. This happens when ordinary tap water is used - more so if your tap water is "hard". First and foremost, buy a gallon of DISTILLED water.

Cleaning it is very much like cleaning an auto drip coffee maker. Empty the iron into the sink. The first method is to pour white vinegar into the reservoir and set the iron to the hottest setting. Tip the iron flat to allow steam to escape. Press any buttons that allow blasts of steam, too. The vinegar will dissolve minerals on the inside of the iron and clogging the holes on the bottom of it. If all holes are cleared after the first time, flush DISTILLED water thru the iron. If not cleared, you can try this second method: Fill it with vinegar again and leave it sitting flat in the sink - unplugged - over night. In the morning, refill with vinegar as needed and try the first method once more. It should be clear at this point. Flush with DISTILLED water.

You can prevent this from happening again by using DISTILLED water only in the iron. There are NO minerals in DISTILLED water, which are left in the iron when water is boiled off inside it.

I have provided a link to a manual that seems to belong to your model. But unsure what features your model has. This is not available for some reason at the Rowenta USA website.
Refer page 7 of the manual available at this site
http://laundry.manualsonline.com/manuals/mfg/rowenta/1103898336__4605.html?p=1

Self Clean - prolongs the life of the iron
The Self clean function flushes dirt and scale particles
out of the steam chamber.
To operate:
• Fill the tank with untreated tap water up to the maximum
mark and heat the iron to max. temperature.
• Unplug from the mains.
• Hold iron over a sink horizontally, push the steam control
3 past the position and into the Self Clean position
and hold it there: steam will now begin to build up.
After a few seconds water and steam will emerge from
the soleplate, rinsing dirt and scale particles out of the
steam chamber.

After approx. 1 minute move the steam control slide to
the position.
• Insert mains plug and allow the iron to heat up again.
• Wait until the remaining water has evaporated.
• Unplug from the mains and allow iron to fully cool
down.
• When cool, the soleplate can be wiped with a damp
cloth.
We recommend using the Self Clean function approx.
Every 2 weeks. If the water is very hard, the iron should
be cleaned weekly.
Self Clean Valve
The self clean valve prevents the drip hole into the steam
chamber from furring or blocking up. To ensure the iron
continues to function properly, open and close the valve
by sliding the steam control to max then min a few times
after use.

You can try this out, fill the Iron with a considerable amount of water, Switch On your Iron, Increase the heat controller Knob to the maximum so that the water boils and Place it Upside Down (As if you want to Iron) but dont let it touch the Pressing Table. Then keep pressing the button that disperses the steam until the whole water inside it finishes, repeat this same process over and over until it comes out clean...
(Alternatively however, you can just pour hot water though the water-inlet hole, and after a while, shake the iron and turn the water out upside down and let it pass out of the water-inlet hole...but please be careful with this second method though...because of the hot water)...hope it helps.

You want to run the self-clean mode. Fill with water, then over a sink, with the iron facing down, press the self-clean button. Steam will eject, along with sediment and water deposits. You may have to repeat numerous times. The iron requires soft water, if you don't have soft water at the tap then buy bottled water at the grocery store to prevent this problem.

You can also buy a cleaning solution that you mix into the water reservoir, or you can make your own by filling the iron half-full of water then add white vinegar to the fill line, then perform the self-clean mode or steam mode over a sink.

Here is a Rowenta suggestions:

The iron is leaking.


Water: Use tap water in the iron. If tap water is hard or high in organic matter, we recommend using bottled spring water or mix tap water with distilled. Do NOT use 100% distilled water. Many softening systems may cause issues as well.
Auto-Off: If iron is equipped with auto off, you need to move iron or gently shake it an allow it to heat back up before beginning to iron.
Overuse of Burst of Steam: Allow more time between each burst of steam.

The Rowenta site does not list a manual for your older model, but here is their link:

http://www.rowentausa.com/rowenta/frame.aspx

This normally means that the iron is not heating up enough check that you have adjusted the temp so it is not as the water will either come out of the bottom when not hot enough to steam or when the jets get dirty and need cleaning.

Thanks J

A mineral buildup from your water may be blocking the holes in the soleplate of your iron. Before you do anything, read the instruction booklet for your appliance or call the manufacturer. The old remedy of using vinegar to unclog an iron is no longer recommended for many models. Some manufacturers suggest alternating tap and distilled water in the steam compartment to avoid a mineral buildup; others recommend using a specialized cleaning product (available at fabric and grocery stores) to clean the soleplate.