Yes, you will have to descale your Stratus. We recommend that you descale it every 15-20th tank. Meaning if you used the steamer about 15 to 20 times running through whole tanks, it is time for descaling!
When you use the steamer and water turns into steam, some small residues of limestone minerals will appear and stay on the inside of the steamer. The residues consist of magnesium and limestone. They create a coating on the inside which can harm the steamer in the long run and prevent it from functioning correctly. A descaler (or white vinegar) and hot water will remove the coating and clean the steamer.
We offer a descaler at our website which is ideal for Stratus 2 and Cumulus 3:
To descale your steamer, please follow the steps below:
1. Loosen up the hose and the water tank.
2. Pour 50 ml of the descaler and 100-200 ml boiling water in the hole where the water tank is usually placed.
3. Make sure that the descaler is well mixed with the water inside the steamer by gently leaning it back and forth. You will see brown-ish residues in the water.
4. Pour the water out from the steamer – lean it to the side over a sink and carefully let it come out.
5. Repeat steps 1-4 a couple of times until no brown residues of magnesium and limestone are left in the steamer.
You may also use white vinegar to descale your steamer if you do not possess the descaler above. This is how you do it:
1. Unplug the cord and remove the water tank.
2. Pour approximately 2 cl white vinegar.
3. Let around 5 cl water boil.
4. Pour the vinegar and the boiling water inside the steamer through the hole where the water tank is usually placed.
5. Gently lean the steamer back and forth so that the vinegar mixed water can get to all the residue inside the steamer.
6. Wait for about 5-6 minutes.
7. Carefully empty the steamer over a sink. These steps above may also be necessary to repeat a couple of times to get rid of all the limescale, and the water is completely clear.
Please watch our tutorial to learn more about how to descale Stratus and Cumulus.