Most people fill a clothes steamer straight from the kitchen tap and never think about it again. That works for a while, but the water you use affects how well your steamer performs and how long it lasts. Here is a plain guide to the best water for a clothes steamer, what to avoid, and how to keep limescale from building up.
The short answer
For most homes in the UK, filtered or distilled water is the best choice for a clothes steamer. Both are low in the minerals that turn into limescale, so the steam stays strong and the steamer needs descaling less often. Tap water is fine in a soft water area, but in a hard water area it will scale up your steamer much faster.
That is also what the care instructions for Fridja steamers recommend: distilled or filtered water for the f1200 and f10, and filtered, distilled or demineralised water for the f1600.
Why the type of water matters
A steamer works by heating water until it turns to steam. The water leaves as vapour, but the minerals dissolved in it, mainly calcium and magnesium, stay behind. Over time they form a hard, chalky layer of limescale on the heating element and inside the channels that carry the steam.
That build-up causes three common problems:
- Weaker steam. Scale insulates the heating element and narrows the steam path, so less steam comes out of the head.
- Spitting and white flecks. Loose bits of scale can be carried out with the steam and leave pale marks, which show up most on dark fabrics.
- A shorter working life. A heater that is always working through a layer of scale is under more strain than one that is kept clean.
How quickly this happens depends on where you live. Much of England, particularly the south and east, has hard water, while Scotland, Wales and the north west of England tend to have softer water. Your water company website will show how hard your supply is by postcode. If your kettle has a crust on the bottom, your steamer will get one too.
Tap, filtered, distilled and demineralised water compared
Tap water
Tap water is the easiest option and it will not harm a steamer straight away. In a soft water area it is a reasonable everyday choice as long as you descale regularly. In a hard water area it is the quickest route to limescale, so it is worth switching, or at least mixing it with filtered water.
Filtered water
Water from a jug filter is a good middle ground. Most jug filters reduce limescale, so the water leaves far less residue than tap water, and you probably already have one in the fridge. The f20 care guide puts it simply: filtered water is kinder to the steamer than tap water, particularly in hard water areas. Change the cartridge as often as the filter maker suggests.
Distilled water
Distilled water has had almost all of its minerals removed, so it leaves very little behind when it turns to steam. It is the best option for keeping a steamer clean, and it is especially useful in very hard water areas or if you steam a lot. You can buy it in large bottles from supermarkets, DIY stores and car accessory shops.
Demineralised or deionised water
Demineralised (or deionised) water is treated to remove minerals in a different way, but for steaming it does the same job as distilled water. It is often sold as ironing water. Choose a plain version without added perfume.
What not to put in a clothes steamer
Some liquids seem like a good idea but can block the steam path, stain clothes or damage the steamer:
- Perfume, essential oils or scented water. Oils and fragrances can clog the steam holes and leave marks on fabric. If you want clothes to smell fresh, steam them and hang them somewhere airy instead.
- Fabric conditioner or starch. These are made for the wash or the ironing board, not for a heating element.
- Vinegar or descaler in everyday use. Descale only as your manual describes, then rinse the tank well before steaming clothes.
- Water from a tumble dryer or dehumidifier. It can contain lint, fibres and other residue, so it is not clean enough for a steamer.
- Dirty or old water. Water left in the tank for days can go stale. Empty the tank after each session and refill with fresh water next time.
Always check your own steamer's manual first, because it takes priority over general advice.
What to use in each Fridja steamer
Here is what the product pages recommend for each model:
- f1200 Clothes Steamer Pro: distilled or filtered water. It has a 3 litre tank that gives up to 100 minutes of continuous steam, so mineral build-up adds up quickly over a long session. Descaling crystals come in the box.
- f20 Handheld Clothes Steamer Pro with Suction: filtered water rather than tap, particularly in hard water areas. The 90ml tank slides off for refilling, and the built-in self-clean cycle helps keep the steam chamber clear. Run it regularly, and a little more often in hard water areas.
- f1600 Commercial Clothes Steamer: filtered, distilled or demineralised water. Its 4 litre tank and drainage valve make emptying and descaling simple, which matters in a busy shop or studio.
- f10 Handheld Clothes Steamer: distilled or filtered water in its 260ml anti-calcium water tank.
Not sure which type of steamer suits you? Our guide to handheld vs upright clothes steamers compares tank size, heat-up and storage. You can also browse the full range of Fridja clothes steamers.
How to keep limescale under control
Even with filtered or distilled water, a little care keeps your steamer working well for years:
- Empty the tank after every use. Water left standing leaves more residue as it slowly evaporates. Leave the cap open so the tank dries out.
- Descale on a routine. Fridja recommends using descaling crystals monthly, especially in hard water areas. For the f1200 and f1600, a quarter of the packet per treatment is enough; for the f10, a pinch.
- Use the self-clean cycle if your steamer has one. The f20 has a built-in flush designed to keep mineral build-up out of the steam chamber.
- Watch for early signs. Weaker steam, more spitting than usual or white specks on dark clothes all suggest it is time to descale.
For a step-by-step routine, read our guide to cleaning and descaling a clothes steamer. Spitting can also come from overfilling or starting before the steamer has fully heated, which we cover in the most common steaming mistakes.
Does the water affect your clothes?
It can. Scale that breaks loose may leave chalky spots, and drips from a steamer that has not fully heated can leave rings on delicate fabrics. Clean water and a fully heated steamer prevent most of this. If you are steaming silk, satin or anything prone to marking, filtered or distilled water is worth the small extra effort. Our guide on how to steam silk without water marks explains the technique in more detail.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use tap water in a clothes steamer?
Yes, tap water will not damage a steamer straight away, and in soft water areas it is fine for everyday use. In hard water areas it builds up limescale quickly, which weakens the steam and can cause spitting. If you use tap water, empty the tank after each session and descale more often.
Is distilled water better for a clothes steamer?
Distilled water is the cleanest option because almost all of its minerals have been removed, so it leaves very little limescale behind. It is a good choice in very hard water areas or if you steam often. Filtered water from a jug filter is a practical everyday alternative that still cuts scale considerably.
Can I put boiled water from the kettle in my steamer?
Boiling does not soften water enough to stop limescale, so kettle water is little better than tap water for scale. Hot water in the tank can also be a scald risk when you fill it. Use cool, fresh filtered or distilled water unless your steamer's manual says otherwise.
Why is my clothes steamer leaving white marks on clothes?
White marks are usually flakes of limescale carried out with the steam, which happens when a steamer has not been descaled for a while or runs on hard tap water. Descale the steamer, switch to filtered or distilled water, and let it heat fully before you start steaming.
How often should I descale a clothes steamer?
Fridja recommends using descaling crystals monthly, especially in hard water areas, and more often if you steam every day or use the steamer in a shop or studio. Using filtered or distilled water means less scale builds up between treatments, so the steam stays strong for longer.