# What water should you use in an iron or steamer? Canonical page: https://everydaygarmentcare.co.uk/care/water-for-steam-irons-and-steamers/ Publisher: Everyday Garment Care Care & fixes / Water guide Check whether your iron or clothes steamer takes tap, distilled, demineralised or filtered water, with exact examples and guidance for hard water. By Everyday Garment Care · Updated November 2026 ![A small jug of clear water beside a steam iron and handheld clothes steamer]() ## Match the water to the model Read the filling instructions for the exact iron or steamer. Some use tap water in ordinary conditions and switch to distilled water in hard water areas. Others specify a mixture or allow particular treated waters. Fill with plain water of the type the manual permits, and follow its separate instructions for removing scale. ## Find the filling instructions for your model Start with the model reference on the appliance rating plate, then look it up on the maker’s support site. Check the suffix as well as the name on the box. A broad range name such as Steam Genie can cover several appliances with different inlets, cleaning routines and water requirements. Look for two separate instructions. **Filling** tells you what to put in for normal use and where the maximum level sits. **Cleaning and maintenance** explains how the maker deals with mineral deposits. A substance or procedure specified for a cleaning cycle does not automatically belong in the everyday steam tank. If the manual and a generic brand FAQ differ, use the exact model instructions or ask the maker about that reference. Check what water reaches the tap you actually use. A kitchen tap may have a bypass around a whole-house softener, while a nearby utility tap may supply treated water. If you do not know which is which, check the installation details before assuming both taps supply the same water. ## How water instructions differ by model **Water guidance for three appliance models** | Appliance | What the maker specifies | What to check at home | | --- | --- | --- | | Russell Hobbs 20630 steam iron | Tap water is permitted. Use distilled water suitable for irons in a hard water area. | The manual excludes softened and chemically descaled water. | | Tefal Pure Pop DT2026G0 | Untreated tap water. For very hard water, use equal parts untreated tap water and distilled water. | Tefal excludes filtered and softened water for this model. | | Russell Hobbs Steam Genie 28370 | The manual recommends distilled, purified or filtered water for best performance. | Keep perfumes and oils out. Empty the tank after use as instructed. | The **Russell Hobbs 20630** illustrates why “any water that has been treated” is too broad. Its [model instructions]() distinguish distilled water from water that has been softened or chemically descaled. If you iron regularly, check which permitted water is convenient to keep by the board. Compare the other controls in our [steam iron guide](). [View on Amazon]() For a larger conventional tank ### Russell Hobbs Powersteam Ultra 20630 A 350 ml tank, ceramic soleplate and adjustable temperature and steam controls suit a mixed weekly basket. Russell Hobbs lists a 210 g steam burst. Good for Regular batches when you want a conventional iron with a larger tank and accessible controls. Bear in mind The tank is part of the handpiece, so filling it adds weight. Steam needs an appropriate temperature setting and the self-clean routine still needs doing. - 350 ml - 3100 W - Up to 70 g/min stated continuous - 210 g stated burst The **Tefal Pure Pop DT2026G0** illustrates a different hard water routine. The [model support page]() specifies a 50:50 mixture in very hard water areas. For a 60 ml fill, that would be 30 ml of each, measured in a clean jug before pouring. The ratio describes the mixture, so use a volume that fits below the fill line. [View on Amazon]() For a quick hanging refresh ### Tefal Pure Pop DT2026G0 A slim handheld with a reversible pad and a 70 ml removable tank. Tefal states a 15-second heat-up and up to 20 g/min of steam. Good for Short touch-ups on suitable hanging garments, especially if the reversible pad is useful to your routine. Bear in mind The small tank calls for more refills on longer jobs. It does not fold. Follow the supplied instructions for permitted positions. - 70 ml tank - Reversible pad - 15-second heat-up - 2 m cord The [Russell Hobbs 28370 manual]() lists filtered water as an option, even though Tefal excludes it for the Pure Pop. Philips’ [UK garment care advice]() also allows tap water generally and suggests distilled or demineralised water in hard water areas. Check the paperwork for your own model before applying any of these examples. ## What the different water names tell you - **Distilled water** is made by evaporating water and collecting the vapour as it condenses. Look for plain distilled water and any suitability wording required by your appliance instructions. - **Demineralised or deionised water** has had dissolved mineral ions removed by treatment. Use the type named in the manual and check the bottle for additives. A product sold for another purpose may have its own use restrictions. - **Filtered water** describes a treatment step. The result depends on the cartridge and system. A taste filter and a system that reduces mineral content can produce very different water. - **Softened water** from a domestic ion exchange system commonly has calcium and magnesium replaced by sodium. The [Drinking Water Inspectorate’s guide to domestic treatment]() explains how this differs from other treatments. A manual that asks for untreated tap water or distilled water may exclude it. - **Bottled drinking water, scented ironing water and condensate** have different compositions. Tefal’s Pure Pop support excludes bottled water, dryer water and scented products. Read a bottle’s ingredients and intended use before buying it for an appliance. If two people use the same appliance, mark a plain refill jug with the model and water type. Keep a jug used for fragranced laundry products separate. That saves having to identify a clear liquid by sight the next time you iron. ## Check the hardness at your address Ask your water supplier for a postcode or address lookup. The [Drinking Water Inspectorate hardness guide]() explains why regional maps are approximate and how mineral content varies. The supplier can give the figure for your local supply. Check the units when comparing it with the manual, as figures for equivalent calcium carbonate and for calcium itself describe different quantities. White deposits in a kettle can prompt a check, but a supplier result is more useful than comparing the look of different kettles. If you have moved or changed a filter system, check the water again. Where the instructions refer to hard or very hard water without defining a threshold, ask the appliance maker how it classifies your supplier’s reading. ## Fill and store the tank as instructed Unplug before filling and follow the maker’s directions on cooling, tank removal and appliance position. Use a clean jug and pour slowly enough to see the fill mark. Close the cap or reseat the tank fully and wipe any spills before plugging in. If your model specifies a warm-up or pump priming step, complete it before approaching the garment. Our [handheld steaming guide]() walks through the rest of that setup. Read the after-use directions before leaving water in the tank. The Russell Hobbs 28370 asks you to empty it after use to limit deposits. Follow the specified cooling and emptying procedure and keep the scale cleaning instructions with the appliance. Some steam generator designs have a separate cleaning part or drain that needs its own sequence. ## What to do if the wrong water went in Stop using the appliance and unplug it. Once it is cool, empty it by the procedure in the manual. Check the maker’s advice before trying a rinse, especially if you added fragrance, starch or a cleaning chemical. Avoid using another substance to flush the first one out unless the maker specifically tells you to do so. If you see spotting or reduced steam after refilling correctly, check the fill level, temperature and water tank seating first. Follow the model’s troubleshooting and maintenance instructions for persistent symptoms. Test the result on a suitable old cloth before using the appliance on clothes you care about. If the appliance has a replaceable filter, [match its limescale cartridge to the full model reference](). For an unpleasant tank smell, follow the [steamer emptying and cleaning guide](). ## Frequently asked questions ### Can I use tap water in my steam iron every time? Check the filling section for the exact model and look up the hardness of your supply. The Russell Hobbs 20630, for example, allows tap water but specifies distilled water suitable for irons in a hard water area. Other makers give different instructions. ### Can I use 100% distilled water in a clothes steamer? Use it on its own only if the maker permits it. Russell Hobbs recommends distilled, purified or filtered water for the 28370. Tefal specifies equal parts untreated tap and distilled water for the Pure Pop DT2026G0 when the supply is very hard. ### Does a filter jug make water suitable for a steam iron? Check the appliance manual and the filter cartridge specification. Some filters affect taste or chlorine without removing the dissolved minerals responsible for hardness. Filtered water is allowed for some models and excluded for others. ### Can I use cooled boiled water or water from a tumble dryer? Use the water the appliance maker specifies. Boiling does not turn water into distilled water. Tumble dryer condensate can carry residue from laundry and is excluded by both Tefal and Philips in their filling advice. ### Can I put ironing fragrance or vinegar in the tank? Keep the everyday fill plain. Check the manual for any approved cleaning procedure and carry it out separately. A fragrance marketed for ironing is not evidence that it is safe to put inside your appliance. ### Will changing water remove existing limescale? Choosing the right water may slow further build-up. Use the model's own scale removal process for existing deposits. The exact method may involve a cleaning cycle, a removable collector or another manufacturer procedure. **Everyday Garment Care** We research manufacturer instructions and product specifications to explain practical garment care and equipment choices. [Editorial policy]() **Affiliate disclosure.** If you buy through a product link on this page, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. [How our links work]().