Lakeland Steam Generator Iron

First use fine but second use left brown stains deposited on laundry. Looked at reviews on other generators i.e. tefal ,bosch, philips etc in wide price range, to discover this is a common problem A client uses equal parts water/vinegar to clear out sediment deposits which solves problem on her expensive model. Contacting Lakeland I agreed to 3 month trial of appliance with no recurrence of spasmodic staining. Lakeland's co-operation and courtesy has as always been exemplary I find.

I'm so disappointed. Firstly to find that I can only use the iron with water pre-treated with a softener. I could find no stockist so had to order via the internet. There was no mention of this on your website & perhaps you should consider stocking it. Secondly to find that the anticalc filter has to be regularly replaced. Then I used the iron. It is no good for me. There is a delay before you get any steam but when you release the button the steam continues. Very difficult to use+it put brown stains on my laundry. Finally the instructions are poor & much too brief. Sorry but I can't use it.

This review is for an older version of this product

I never usually write reviews but I came on the website to buy some other bits and bobs and was interested to see if anyone had commented on this iron - there were no reviews when I bought it. Like the other customer, I had never owned a steam generator iron before so didn't know what to expect. I also found the booklet vague, have soaking wet clothes and brown marks over my laundry. As also mentioned, the steam is unpredictable - after an ironing session I feel as though I have had a good facial with all the steam!!! This iron takes some getting used to.

This review is for an older version of this product

I've never owned a steam generator iron before, so maybe I had unrealistic expectations - but I had read the reviews in Which, so I thought I was reasonably well informed.First surprise was that the anti-calc filter has to be replaced every 3 months. There was no mention of this on the website nor any indication of the cost. I assumed it would be a cleanable anti-calc device like on my other iron.Second surprise was that softened water is required - more unexpected expense and the instructions don't say what sort. The iron has a chunky handle which is very comfortable to hold, but it means you can't easily see the temperature dial - this is critical because if you set it even slightly off the iron symbol on the dial, it will deposit a pool of brown water all over the laundry! The instruction booklet is very vague on this - and does seem to imply that you can steam on a 2-dot setting, which I don't think you can.The steam seems to be uncontrollable. When you release the steam button sometimes it stops immediately, other times it continues for several more seconds, leading to soaking wet ironing - or steamed up specs!Again the catalogue/website did not actually mention it, but I was disappointed that you have to switch off and remove the tank to refill. Also the iron does not lock onto the base when not in use, so it is awkward to store.Minor irritations - the instruction book is not at all helpful, and the indicator lights are illogical. (steam light has to be on and the iron light has to be off!)Maybe we will get used to it in time, but for now I have been begged not to get rid of our old leaky conventional iron!