Abstract: A steam ironing device includes a steam iron, a steam generator for generating steam and supplying steam to the steam iron, and a supply device for supplying water to the steam generator. During operation of the steam ironing device, scale is formed in the steam generator, and the water in the steam generator gradually gets contaminated with ions. In order to clean the steam generator and replace the water with fresh water, the steam generator is regularly subjected to an auto-rinsing process. A moment at which this process needs to take place is a moment at which an amount of scale and/or a concentration of ions have exceeded a predetermined maximum. The amount of scale and/or the concentration of ions are indirectly monitored by keeping account of a total quantity of water that has been supplied to the steam generator since a set starting point.

Abstract: A steam ironing device (2) comprises a steam iron (10), a steam generator (15) for generating steam and supplying steam to the steam iron (10), and means (20) for supplying water to the steam generator (15). During operation of the device (2), scale is formed in the steam generator (15), and the water in the steam generator (15) gradually gets contaminated with ions. In order to clean the steam generator (15) and replace the water by fresh water, the steam generator (15) is regularly subjected to an auto-rinsing process. A moment at which this process needs to take place is a moment at which an amount of scale and/or a concentration of ions have exceeded a predetermined maximum. The amount of scale and/or the concentration of ions are indirectly monitored by keeping account of a total quantity of water that has been supplied to the steam generator (15) since a set starting point.

Abstract: Disclosed is an iron, comprising an aluminum sole plate which is provided with a coating which is provided by means of a sol-gel process and wherein an intermediate layer is present between the aluminum sole plate and the sol-gel coating. The intermediate layer comprises a porous layer of aluminum oxide. Also described is a method of manufacturing such an iron. The method comprises the steps of providing an aluminum sole plate, applying a porous intermediate layer of aluminum oxide by electrochemical treatment of the aluminum sole plate in an electrolyte comprising a solution of phosphoric acid, and providing a sol-gel coating on the treated sole plate. Furthermore, an aluminum sole plate which is suitable for use in an iron is disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a domestic appliance, at least comprising an aluminum sole plate which is provided with a coating which is provided by means of a sol-gel process and wherein an intermediate layer is present between the aluminum sole plate and the sol-gel coating. The intermediate layer comprises a multi-layer structure. Also described is a method of manufacturing such a domestic appliance. The method comprises the steps of providing an aluminum substrate, applying a porous intermediate layer of aluminum oxide by electrochemical treatment of the aluminum sole plate in an electrolyte comprising a solution of phosphoric acid, applying a dense intermediate layer of aluminum oxide by electrochemical treatment in an electrolyte, and providing a sol-gel coating on the treated substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a domestic appliance, at least comprising an aluminum sole plate which is provided with a coating which is provided by means of a sol-gel process and wherein an intermediate layer is present between the aluminum sole plate and the sol-gel coating. The intermediate layer comprises a multi-layer structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is an iron, comprising an aluminum sole plate which is provided with a coating which is provided by means of a sol-gel process and wherein an intermediate layer is present between the aluminum sole plate and the sol-gel coating. The intermediate layer comprises a porous layer of aluminum oxide.