How do I descale my Philips Steam Generator Iron?
Why is descaling needed?
If your steam generator iron is not producing steam, simply descaling it will not solve the issue. Please follow the instructions in our article "My Philips Steam Generator Iron does not produce any steam" and in your User Manual, or contact us for further assistance.
Easy de-calc Plus
*Warning: If you are performing decalc after ironing or when the steam generator is hot/heated up, unplug the steam generator and let it cool down for two hours first.
- Unplug the steam generator
- Place the steam generator on the edge of a table or sink. Hold a cup (at least 900 ml) under the EASY DE-CALC knob.
- Remove the knob. Let the water and scale particles flow out.
- Put the knob back in place and turn it clockwise to tighten.
- You are now ready to keep ironing!
Easy de-calc
*Warning: If you are performing decalc after ironing or when the steam generator is hot/heated up, unplug the steam generator and let it cool down for two hours first.
Note: When your steam generator beeps and the CALC CLEAN light flashes, it's time to descale.
- Unplug the steam generator
- Remove the iron from the iron platform.
- Remove the detachable water tank.
- Hold and shake the base of the steam generator.
- Remove the EASY DE-CALC knob
- Hold the base of the steam generator over the sink and empty it through the EASY DE-CALC opening.
- Note: Be mindful of the heavy weight of the appliance when you tilt it.
- Reinsert the EASY DE-CALC knob and turn it clockwise to fasten it.
- You are now ready to keep ironing.
Descaling the soleplate
Note: If you do not use the EASY DE-CALC function regularly and/or experience white/brown flakes coming out from the iron, descale the soleplate by following the procedure below.
- Unplug and let it cool down completely for at least 2 hours.
- Place the steam generator on the edge of a table or sink. Hold a cup (at least 900 ml) under the EASY DE-CALC knob.
- Remove the knob. Let the water and scale particles flow out.
- Hold the appliance in the position where the EASY DE-CALC opening is facing up, then pour 500 ml of distilled water into the opening. (NOTE: for PerfectCare Elite (GC96xx), PerfectCare Elite Plus (GC96xx), PerfectCare 9000 series (PSG90xx) and PerfectCare 8000 series (PSG80xx), pour 900 ml of distilled water.)
- Keep the EASY DE-CALC opening facing upwards, re-insert the EASY DE-CALC knob and turn the knob clockwise to fasten it.
- Plug in the appliance and switch it on. Wait 5 minutes for the appliance to heat up.
- Keep the steam trigger pressed continuously while you move the iron on a piece of thick cloth for 3 minutes.
- Stop moving the iron when no more water comes out or when steam starts coming out. You are now ready to keep ironing!
- Repeat this whole process once a month, or more if necessary.
Smart Calc Clean function
Note: When your steam generator beeps and the CALC CLEAN light flashes, it's time to descale.
- Fill the water tank halfway and ensure that your steam generator iron is turned on. If your iron has a temperature dial with a CALC CLEAN setting, set the dial to CALC CLEAN.
- Place your iron on the SMART CALC CLEAN container. The container was provided with your steam generator in the product box.
- Press and hold the CALC CLEAN button for 2 seconds, until it beeps.
- NOTE: For some models, the calc clean button is in front of the iron handle.
- The iron will start to clean itself — this will take about 2 minutes.
- When your steam generator stops beeping and the CALC CLEAN light stops flashing, the cleaning process is complete. Use a clean towel to dry the soleplate.
- You are now ready to keep ironing.
PureSteam anti-scale cartridge function
As the Pure Steam anti-scale cartridge has been discontinued, you can continue ironing using demineralised water, or descaled water from the Philips IronCare water filter.
Did the solutions above help solve the issue? If not, please contact us for further assistance.