I’ve used white vinegar successfully but never heard of cleaning sticks … mind, that’ll be back in my old pre-millenium ironing days.
Mr M says I do a lousy job and banned me.
Can’t think why.
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I tried this one first…
Had the slight side effect of smoking out and fumigating most of the house 
The new ones are not so bad.
Sounds as bad and whiffy as oven cleaner.
@Azz If you do not mind a corded steam iron, then Amazon Basics at £9.99 delivered to your door, is IMO, the best offer out there. I bought one last week for occasional use as the previous iron simply died of old age and not over use.
Amazon Basics Steam Iron with Nonstick Soleplate, 1800W, 20g Continuous Steam, 200ml Tank, Blue : Amazon.co.uk: Home & Kitchen
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The current one was £8 from Asda. I’ve had pricier models but I don’t really see the difference and they all end up developing a sediment that needs cleaning off from the steam and lint or something. I haven’t tried vinegar to remove the burnt on “stuff”. I mean life is too short to be cleaning your iron, particularly when you hate ironing. Doubtless I’m doing something wrong to develop the gunge in the first place .
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Unfortunately I can add nothing to the conversation.Although I do know what they look like, my mother had one.
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I wonder if the quality of the water has anything to do with it? After all, kettles get scaled up in hard water areas, but not in soft🤷🏻♂️
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I’m sure it is, some people buy distilled water to use in their steam irons. Here in Sussex we have very hard water, the aquifers are in chalk, kettles start up scaling in next to no time.
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Never really found the time to go shopping for an iron, there have been too many other “Pressing” engagements.
Yes, strictly distilled water for steam irons here, they wouldn’t last long otherwise.
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I use my iron as a dry iron - never as a steam iron.
I always iron ‘wrinkly’ items when still slightly damp, so don’t need the steam setting.
A dry iron for most laundry is usually enough for my needs.
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I didn’t think it was just the water causing it but whatever residue of fabric conditioner or lint
I prefer it both hot and steamy…
There is of course “spray starch” which is most useful for bedding and table linen
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the iron! 
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Oh! okay Annie, you had me going for a minute…
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It makes my hair frizz…
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It sounds like a badly connected earth wire Anise.
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