How do I descale my Philips Steam Generator Iron?

Over time, your appliance can build up scale. The harder the water in your area, the faster scale impurities develop and solidify. Descaling your Philips Steam Generator Iron every one to two months can prevent brown stains, brown water, and leaking. Regular cleaning keeps steam output at its highest and extends the lifetime of your appliance.
If your steam generator iron is not producing steam, simply descaling will not solve the issue. Please follow the instructions in our article "My Philips Steam Generator Iron does not produce any steam", or contact us for further assistance.

The information below applies only to: PerfectCare Elite (GC96xx) | PerfectCare Elite Plus (GC96xx) | PerfectCare 9000 series (PSG90xx) | PerfectCare 8000 series (PSG80xx, PSG81xx).

*Warning: If you are performing decalc after ironing or when the steam generator is hot/heated up, unplug the steam generator iron, and let it cool down for two hours first.
When your steam generator iron beeps and the CALC CLEAN light flashes, it is time to descale:
1.    Unplug the steam generator iron.
2.    Place the steam generator iron at the edge of a table or sink. Hold a cup (at least 900 ml) under the EASY DE-CALC knob.
3.    Remove the EASY DE-CALC knob. Let the water and scale particles flow out.
4.    Reinsert the EASY DE-CALC and turn clockwise to fasten it.
5.    You are now ready to keep ironing!

The information below applies only to: PerfectCare Aqua Pro (GC93xx, GC94xx) | PerfectCare Expert Plus (GC89xx) | PerfectCare 7000 series (PSG70xx, PSG71xx, PSG72xx, PSG73xx).
*Warning: If you are performing decalc after ironing or when the steam generator iron is hot/heated up, unplug the steam generator iron and let it cool down for two hours first.
Note: When your steam generator iron beeps and the CALC CLEAN light flashes, it's time to descale.
1.    Unplug the steam generator iron
2.    Remove the detachable water tank.
3.    Hold and shake the base of the steam generator iron.
4.    Remove the EASY DECALC knob
5.    Hold the base of the steam generator iron over the sink and empty it through the EASY DECALC opening.
6.    Note: Be mindful on the heavy weight of steam generator iron when you tilt it.
7.    Reinsert the EASY DECALC knob and turn it clockwise to fasten it.
8.    You are now ready to keep ironing!

The information below applies only to: PerfectCare Elite (GC96xx) |PerfectCare Elite Plus (GC96xx) | PerfectCare 9000 series (PSG90xx) | PerfectCare 8000 series (PSG80xx, PSG81xx) | PerfectCare Aqua Pro (GC93xx, GC94xx) | PerfectCare Expert (GC92xx) | PerfectCare Expert Plus (GC89xx) | PerfectCare 7000 series (PSG70xx, PSG71xx, PSG72xx, PSG73xx).

It is recommended to rinse boiler of your steam generator iron once a month in order to prevent the accumulation of scale particles. If left uncleaned, these particles may cause brown stains to appear on your clothes during ironing. If you encounter this issue, you must follow step 1 to rinsing your boiler and step 2 (optional, if you are unable to get desire results) to descale your soleplate.

Note: When cleaning the soleplate, avoid using soap or scrubbing it.
1.    Unplug the steam generator iron and let it cool down completely — at least two hours.
2.    Remove the iron and the water tank from the steam generator iron.
3.    Hold the steam generator iron with both hands and shake well.
4.    Hold the steam generator iron so that the EASY DE-CALC opening is facing up. Turn the EASY DE-CALC knob anticlockwise to remove it. 
Note: Be cautious of the appliance's weight when tilting it.
5.    Pour out the water with scale particles from the EASY DE-CALC opening.
6.    Hold the appliance so that the EASY DE-CALC opening is facing up and pour 500ml of distilled water into the opening. Shake the appliance again.
Note: For PerfectCare Elite (GC96xx) and PerfectCare Elite Plus (GC96xx), PerfectCare 9000 series (PSG90xx), PerfectCare 8000 series (PSG80xx, PSG81xx), and PerfectCare 7000 series (PSG70xx, PSG71xx, PSG72xx, PSG73xx), pour 900ml of distilled water. 
Caution: Be mindful of the appliance's weight when tilting it. 
Tip: To avoid water overflow, aim carefully and pour the distilled water directly into the opening.
7.    Pour out the water with scale particles from the EASY DE-CALC opening again.
8.    For optimal results, you can repeat steps 6 and 7 twice.
9.    Reinsert the EASY DE-CALC knob and turn it clockwise to secure it.

1.    Unplug the appliance and let it cool down completely — at least two hours.
2.    Remove the iron and the water tank from the steam generator iron.
3.    Remove the EASY DE-CALC knob anticlockwise to open it and pour out the water with scale particles from the EASY DE-CALC opening.
(A) For PerfectCare Elite (GC96xx), PerfectCare Elite Plus (GC96xx), PerfectCare 9000 series (PSG90xx), PerfectCare 8000 series (PSG80xx, PSG81xx), place the steam generator iron at the edge of a table or sink, (B) Hold a cup (at least 900 ml) under the EASY DE-CALC knob.
4.    Hold the appliance in the position the EASY DE-CALC opening is facing up and pour 500ml distilled water into the opening.  
Note: for PerfectCare Elite (GC96xx) and PerfectCare Elite Plus (GC96xx), PerfectCare 9000 series (PSG90xx) and PerfectCare 8000 series (PSG80xx, PSG81xx), PerfectCare 7000 series (PSG70xx, PSG71xx, PSG72xx, PSG73xx), pour 900ml distilled water.
Caution: Be mindful of the appliance's weight when tilting it. 
Tip: To avoid water overflow, aim carefully and pour the distilled water directly into the opening.
5.    Keep the EASY DE-CALC opening facing up, reinsert the EASY DE-CALC knob, and turn it clockwise to secure it.
6.    Fill the water tank halfway and place it back in the steam generator iron.
7.    Plug in the steam generator iron and switch it on. Allow it to heat up for five minutes.
8.    Keep the steam trigger pressed continuously while you move the iron on a piece of thick cloth for three minutes. 
9.    Stop moving the iron when no more water comes out or when steam starts coming out. 
10.    Remove the plug from the wall socket.
11.    Let it cool down for at least two hours. Do not open the EASY DE-CALC knob during this period.
12.    Pour out the water with scale particles from the EASY DE-CALC opening.
13.    When no more water comes out of the appliance, keep the EASY DE-CALC opening facing up, reinsert the EASY DE-CALC knob, and turn it clockwise to secure it.

The information below applies only to: 2000 series (PSG 20xx) | 3000 series (PSG 30xx) | PerfectCare Compact (GC78xx) | PerfectCare Compact Essential (GC68xx) | FastCare Compact (GC67xx) | FastCare Compact (GC77xx) | HI59xx series | PerfectCare Performer (GC87xx) | PerfectCare Viva (GC70xx) | PerfectCare Compact Plus (GC79xx), PerfectCare 6000 series (PSG60xx).
Note: When your steam generator iron beeps and the CALC CLEAN light flashes, it's time to descale.
1.    Fill the water tank halfway and ensure that your steam generator iron is turned on. If your iron has a temperature dial with CALC CLEAN setting, set the dial to CALC CLEAN.
2.    Place your iron on the CALC CLEAN container. The container was provided with your steam generator iron in the box.
3.    Press and hold the CALC CLEAN button for two seconds, until it beeps.
Note: Depending on the model, the CALC Clean button is located on the iron handle or on the base of the product.
4.    The iron will start to clean itself, this will take about two minutes.
5.    When your steam generator iron stops beeping and the CALC CLEAN light stops flashing, the cleaning process is complete. To finish, iron over a moist cloth to clean the soleplate. Note: Do not use soap or scrub the soleplate during cleaning.
6.    You are now ready to keep ironing!