How to clean your steam iron

Steam generators

Steam irons

Garment steamers

How to clean your Philips steam iron

Steam generators

Steam irons

Garment steamers

Why descale a steam iron?

Over time, steam irons can build up scale . The harder the water in your area, the faster scale impurities develop and solidify. Regular descaling prevents problems such as brown stains on your clothes, brown water, and leaking. Cleaning your steam iron regularly keeps steam output at its highest and extends the lifetime of your iron.

How to clean your steam iron

Self Clean function

All Philips steam irons

Fill the water tank and turn on. (If your iron has adjustable settings, choose MAX TEMP and NO STEAM.)
When the light goes out, unplug and hold the iron over the sink so the soleplate is horizontal.
Activate CALC CLEAN using the button or selector. (Varies per model. Press and hold, if necessary.)
Shake the iron gently back and forth until empty. Water, steam and scale will come out of the steam vents.
Heat the iron and glide over a cloth to clean the soleplate. Repeat process, if necessary.
Repeat this whole process once a month, or more if necessary.

See how to clean your Philips iron

Quick Calc Release function

Azur Performer Plus (GC4501, GC4510, GC4511, GC4512, GC4513, GC4514, GC4520, GC4521, GC4522, GC4523) | Azur Pro ( GC4880, GC4884, GC4885)

Unplug the iron and make sure that the iron is cool.
Lie the iron flat and push up the Quick Calc Release lock at the back of your iron.
Remove the scale container. Empty, rinse and dry it.
Wipe away any scale or residue around the opening on the iron. Re-insert the container and lock in place.
Repeat this process once a month, or as necessary.

See how to clean your Philips iron

Quick Calc Release function

Azur Elite (GC503X) | Azur Elite Avanced (GC493X)|Azur (GC490X, GC45XX)

Unplug the iron and make sure that the iron is cool.
Hold the appliance in vertical position over the sink. Flip up the lever of Quick Calc Release collector, and pull it out
Clean the Quick Calc Release collector with water
Gently shake the appliance to allow scale particles to fall out
Insert the Quick Calc Release collector back into the appliance and push down the lever (“click”) to lock the collector.
Repeat this process once a month, or as necessary.

See how to clean your Philips iron

Built-in Calc Container function

Azur Performer Plus (GC4506, GC4515, GC4516, GC4517, GC4518, GC4519, GC4525, GC4526, GC4527, GC4528) | Azur Pro (GC4881, GC4882, GC4886, GC4887, GC4889)

Fill the water tank and turn on. (If your iron has adjustable settings, choose MAX TEMP and NO STEAM.)
When the light goes out, unplug and hold the iron over the sink so the soleplate is horizontal.
Activate CALC CLEAN using the button or selector. (Varies per model. Press and hold, if necessary.)
Shake the iron gently back and forth until empty. Water, steam and scale will come out of the steam vents.
Heat the iron and glide over a cloth to clean the soleplate. Repeat process, if necessary.
Repeat this process once a month, or as necessary.

See how to clean your steam iron

Frequently Asked Questions about Philips Steam Irons

Should I use demineralized or ironing water to prevent limescale in my steam iron?

Using the right type of water will help prolong your Philips steam iron’s lifespan. Your Philips steam iron has been designed to be used with tap water. However, if you live in an area with hard water, fast scale build-up may occur

We recommend using distilled or demineralized water (50% demineralised water mixed with tap water could be used too) for all Philips steam iron: it prevents limestone build up in the appliance.

Please never use perfumed water, water from the tumble dryer, vinegar, starch, descaling agents, ironing aids, chemically descaled water or other chemicals as they may cause water spitting, brown staining or damage to your steam iron.

To perfume your clothes, we recommend you choosing one of the following options:

Using perfumed washing softener
Using essential oils (aromas) during washing
Spritzing perfumed water after ironing or steaming

How often should I descale my iron for best steaming results over time?

We recommend descaling your iron every 1-2 months. By cleaning your iron regularly, all calc particles will be removed and your iron will work better, and last longer.

Do I need to descale my steam iron even though I always use demineralized water?

If you always use demineralized water, there will be significantly less limescale build up in your iron. However, in some irons the descaling light will blink based on the time that the appliance has been used. In this case, please complete the descaling routine in order to use the iron again.

Do I need to descale my steam iron even though I’m always emptying my Quick Calc Release?

Yes, we recommend descaling your Philips iron every 1-2 months. The Quick Calc release collects many loose calc particles, but not all. By descaling your iron regularly, all calc particles will be removed and your iron will work better, and last longer.

I’m not sure what iron model I have and which descaling routine should I use

You can always find the correct instructions in the user manual, if you still have it!

If you do not have the user manual anymore, please try to find your appliance model number on your steamer (it should look like GCXXXX ). Knowing this number, you can find all the product information on the Philips website. If you have any questions, please always feel free to contact Philips Consumer Care

How to clean your steam iron

Steam generators

Steam irons

Garment steamers

How to clean your Philips steam iron

Steam generators

Steam irons

Garment steamers

You can find the product name on the side of your steam iron

Why descale a steam iron?

How to clean your steam iron

Self Clean function

All Philips steam irons

See how to clean your Philips iron

Quick Calc Release function

Azur Performer Plus (GC4501, GC4510, GC4511, GC4512, GC4513, GC4514, GC4520, GC4521, GC4522, GC4523) | Azur Pro ( GC4880, GC4884, GC4885)

See how to clean your Philips iron

Quick Calc Release function

Azur Elite (GC503X) | Azur Elite Avanced (GC493X)|Azur (GC490X, GC45XX)

See how to clean your Philips iron

Built-in Calc Container function

Azur Performer Plus (GC4506, GC4515, GC4516, GC4517, GC4518, GC4519, GC4525, GC4526, GC4527, GC4528) | Azur Pro (GC4881, GC4882, GC4886, GC4887, GC4889)

See how to clean your steam iron

Frequently Asked Questions about Philips Steam Irons

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