Mumsnet Talk

Hope this is in the right place, this is my first post in EL!

My Comfort ironing water is about to run out, so could anyone recommend a more natural alternative or even making my own? I'm in the process of replacing all my household products with less chemically stuff.

I live in a hard water area, so not sure I can put tap water in the iron?

TIA

They sell plain distilled water in many supermarkets/diy stores.

My Scrooge like mother used to save the water when defrosting the freezer, strain it to remove any food matter then use it in the iron. Yes, really. On one occassion she even made me do it for her. Her motivation was crazy levels of frugality rather than the environment but it turned out the same in the end

Thank you! I didn't realise distilled water was for sale in supermarkets

Could I add essential oil or something, I like clothes to smell nice

Don't iron would be my advice

Am I the only person who read the thread title and thought "who on earth would try to iron water????? "

I also wondered how one would iron water (and the ethical nature of such an act)
If you live in a hard water area, just put a couple of drops of lemon juice or any acidic substance in the water, to counteract the calcium in the hard water.
I neither live in a hard water area nor iron so my expertise is limited.

I'm in a hard water area and put tap water in the iron and (very occasionally, when I can be bothered...) use a decalcifying thing on it. I think if you're being very eco-friendly there are ways to use vinegar for that.

I really can't understand why anyone would buy special water to iron with - does it smell nice or something? And buying distilled water - in plastic bottles, which have been manufactured and transported using fossil fuels - doesn't sound very environmentally sound either.

I just use tap water and do the auto-clean program occasionally to flush out the limescale.

I would assume that if you used boiled water from the kettle (so the kettle has already got the limescale out) that it would be a bit better.

I don't know about putting essential oils in - I wonder about the safety of even a few drops of oil (presumably inflamable) in an iron, and since it wouldn't mix with the water I'd guess there's also a danger of oil spots on clothes.

exexpat - I had a housemate who kept our kettle sparkling by boiling a cut lemon in it once a week - worked really well - and I guess vinegar would work the same way.

Just don't forget to rinse well before you use it to make coffee..... and always look in the cup before taking a big swig of coffee (voice of bitter experience)

Use rainwater? Make your own distilled water from tap water / urine / whatever using a solar still?

When I am organised I use a low calcium bottled water (possibly something like Stretton Hills?). If I was very organised I'd add a drop of something scented as well, but that is never likely to happen.
Otherwise I use tap water.

My mum also used to save the water when she defrosted the fridge when I was little - I think it was standard practice back then.

Later on (and I assume still) she switched and uses a plant mister instead of the steam-y bit on the iron.

Goodness, ironing water is such a con and such a waste of money. Really, you don't need it. Just use normal tap water in your iron and descale your iron regularly.

For the scent, I don't think I would put essential oils into the iron itself just because they are oily and I don't think that's a good idea. Use a plant mister (or recycle any trigger spray bottle) with water and a few drops of your favourite oil in it and spray the clothes before you iron.

boil water in the kettle (precipitates out most of the lime) and then use that.

Yes I use water out of the kettle

I just use tap water and live dangerously. Iron seems fine, though I do need to clean it occasionally as we also live in a hard water area.

I've never seen the need for ironing water. What a con!

I have given up the steam setting as London water is so hard and use a plant mist bottle and tap water. Works brilliantly. Although though I know you can buy purified water in large amounts from a chemist.