How to Clean Your Iron Easily: Ultimate Guide

by Maria Konou
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Every housewife has faced the problem of a burnt iron. This could be a bad consequence of a stronger temperature, an outdated plate, or you simply held it more time on the clothing. But even if your iron does not look burned, it doesn’t mean that it is clean! Do you remember the last time you actually cleaned your iron? If not, then this article is here to help you with that. We are going to explore a few methods for cleaning your iron with different ingredients, as well as what to do if your iron is burned. So, without further ado, let’s get into this guide, so you can learn how to clean your iron like a pro:

Do you know how to properly clean your iron? Let’s find out!

how to clean your iron plate

How to Clean Your Iron Easily: Ultimate Guide

#Baking Soda Method (hot iron)

For this first universal method, you have to mix baking soda and water in a small bowl until a paste forms. Then place the iron on a rag or an old kitchen towel to avoid staining the surface. After that, apply the baking soda solution to the cool ironing board. Wait for a couple of minutes and then wipe with a damp cloth. After that, plug the iron into the socket and iron the old fabric for a few minutes. You can turn on the steam, so the cleaning can work even better. Once the iron has been cleaned, unplug it and let it cool in a horizontal position. Voilà! A sparkling-clean iron just like that.

Tip: There are some things you should never clean with baking soda, check them out!

You can make a powerful iron cleaning solution with just baking soda and water

how to clean your iron surface

#Salt Method (hot iron)

! The following method is not suitable for a non-stick or Teflon-coated iron !

To start this method, spread some salt on a sheet of paper or an old newspaper. Then heat your iron to the maximum temperature, and carefully smooth out the salt grains. Be careful not to damage your iron with harsh scrubbing. Any roughness on your iron will disappear immediately, and then you can just wipe it with a cloth after it has cooled off.

Salt grains act as a natural exfoliant for your iron

what to use to clean my iron

#Paper Towel Method (hot iron)

This method is most suitable for removing a sticky layer on your iron

Another easy way to remove a sticky layer on your iron is with paper towels alone. To do so, just heat the iron to the maximum setting, turn on the steam, and at this point start wiping off the sticky deposits with paper towels. Be careful not to burn yourself! Make a sliding motion from top to bottom until you feel the paper towels are no longer sticky.

Tip: There are some surprising things that you should not clean with paper towels. Make sure to see what they are!

For this method, heat the iron to the maximum setting and turn on the steam

how to clean your iron with baking soda

Then wipe off the sticky deposits using some paper towels or an old cloth

how to clean your iron at home

#Toothpaste Method (cold iron)

If you don’t want to clean a hot iron because you think that you might burn yourself, this method is for you!  Simply take some toothpaste and rub it on the base of the iron appliance. Then leave it to work for five to ten minutes, and carefully remove the residue with a damp cloth. Voilà!

If you don’t want to clean a hot iron, this method is for you

how can i clean my iron at home

#Vinegar Method (hot iron)

Take some vinegar (preferably white distilled vinegar) and heat the iron appliance. Then take cotton swabs and soak them in the vinegar. Use them to carefully wipe the iron. Using a cotton swab, you can also carefully clean the steam holes once the iron has cooled off a bit.

Tip: There are some surprising things that you should never clean with vinegar.

Use white distilled vinegar to clean your iron easily

how to clean an iron at home

#How to Clean Burnt Plastic (cold iron)

Some acetone or varnish remover will help you with this hard cleaning task. To clean burnt plastic from your iron, it is enough to moisten a cotton swab and wipe the plastic stains with it while the iron is cold. Try not to touch the body of the device, so as not to rub off the paint accidentally.

To clean burnt plastic from your iron, use some acetone and a cotton swab

how to clean your iron with vinegar

#How to Clean Fresh Soot (hot iron)

Laundry soap can be a good way to clean any recent soot off your iron. To do so, heat up the surface of the iron a little and then scrub it with the soap – it will melt a little. At this point, gently wipe the problem areas with an old cloth. However, if there are a lot of holes in the iron, it is better to skip this method. Or you can use the cotton swab method to clean the steam holes from any soap residue.

Laundry soap can be a good way to clean any recent soot off your iron

how to clean an iron after burning clothes

To do so, heat up the surface of the iron a little and then scrub it with the soap

how to clean your iron with toothpaste

These were all of your tips and tricks for how to clean your iron like a pro. Remember to always be careful not to burn yourself!

Now you know to clean your iron easily with a few basic ingredients

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Maria Konou

Maria Konou is a specialist in the field of digital marketing and fashion. However, she has always had a way with words. That’s what led her to her dream job here at Archzine. She has worked in many different fields over the years, but according to her, being an author has been the most rewarding. Maria is a huge plant enthusiast, loves everything fashion-related, is very sustainably aware, and is always open to learning about new things.