Philips Support

What type of water can I use in my Philips steam iron or steamer?

Published on 23 March 2023
Using the right type of water helps prolong your Philips Garment Steamer or Steam Iron's lifespan. Please read on to learn some tips and tricks.

Water type to use

Your steam iron or garment steamer 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.

Therefore, to prolong the lifespan of your iron or steamer it is recommended that you use distilled or demineralised water (50% demineralised water mixed with tap water can also be used). 

Please do not 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 or garment steamer. 

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

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

The information on this page applies to the following models: STE3170/80 , STH3010/70 , GC486/39 , GC484/49 , GC488/69 , GC1740/20 , GC2145/24 , GC514/49 , GC524/69 , GC3920/20 , GC3929/60 , GC2990/20 , GC2998/80 , GC1010/07 , GC1020/70 , GC1020/79 , GC1110/02 , GC136/07 , GC139/08 , GC139/38 , GC1426/79 , GC1436/20 , GC148/08 , GC1703/01 , GC1705/01 , GC1705/37 , GC1710/02 , GC1710/37 , GC1720/02 , GC1720/37 , GC1720/38 , GC1930/22 , GC2520/38 , GC2560/02 , GC2981/29 , GC3260/02 , GC3320/02 , GC3388/02 , GC4620/38 , GC4928/30 , GC536/39 , GC7035/29 , GC7230/02 , GC1028/20 , GC1110/07 , GC1115/02 , GC130/01 , GC135/00 , GC135/38 , GC136/00 , GC1420/02 , GC1426/39 , GC1480/02 , GC148/04 , GC148/38 , GC149/02 , GC149/08 , GC150/21 , GC160/02 , GC160/22 , GC2988/89 , GC4910/10 , GC568/69 , GC1815/38 , GC1820/02 , GC1820/37 , GC1830/02 , GC1903/21 , GC1990/26 , GC2042/40 , GC2048/30 , GC2510/02 , GC2520/02 , GC2520/37 , GC2530/02 , GC2560/38 , GC2820/02 , GC2910/29 , GC2960/02 , GC2960/59 , GC3106/02 , GC3116/02 , GC3135/02 , GC3220/02 , GC3240/02 , GC3331/02 , GC3340/12 , GC3360/02 , GC3388/22 , GC4218/02 , GC4238/02 , GC4310/02 , GC4320/02 , GC4325/02 , GC4410/38 , GC4412/02 , GC4420/02 , GC4420/38 , GC4430/02 , GC4430/38 , GC4620/02 , GC4630/02 , GC504/39 , GC510/05 , GC525/05 , GC555/05 , GC650/02 , GC651/02 , GC8220/02 , HD1172/00 , HD1172/01 , HD1302/02 , HI518/02 , HI570/02 , GC1665/02 , GC4610/02 , GC6360/02 , HD1172/99 , HD1301/02 , GC135/01 , GC135/08 , GC136/38 , GC148/02 , GC149/38 , GC150/41 , GC1830/37 , GC1910/22 , GC2860/02 , GC2910/02 , GC320/05 , GC4330/02 , GC4410/02 , GC4630/38 , GC6430/02 , GC8280/02 , HD1172/02 , HD1172/07 . Click here to show more product numbers Click here to show less product numbers

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