by Robin Moynihan

Created on: February 16, 2010

  How to Clean an Iron with Little Money and Minimal Effort

All irons need cleaning regardless if you have melted your favorite shirt to the soleplate, scorched it, or just allowed minerals to build-up in the steam vents. Each problem requires a different process, as does different types of irons. These processes can be completed with things you already have in your cupboard, saving you a trip to the store and your hard earned cash as well.

The Melted Mess on a Teflon iron:  The fix is easy for a Teflon iron, simply unplug it and allow it to cool. When it is cool the melted fabric should easily peel off, if any bits remain use a plastic scrubber sponge and gently rub in a circular motion then wipe with a damp cotton cloth.

The Melted Mess or The Scorch on a steel iron: More effort is needed for a steel soleplate, but it is still relatively easy. While the iron is still hot run the soleplate over a thickness of two or three paper towels. Once you have removed as much of the melted fabric as can be removed turn the temperature to high. While the iron is heating place an old towel on the ironing board, top this with a long sheet of waxed paper. Next sprinkle the waxed paper generously with table salt and begin firmly ironing over the salt. This process should be repeated using fresh wax paper and salt as necessary. After this process you will need to clean the steam vents to remove any salt that has been trapped in the vents.

The Steam Vents on all irons: Mineral build-up is the white chalky looking stuff that sticks to the steam vents, or holes, on the soleplate. This sometimes leaves white marks on your laundry and will also shorten the life of your iron. To clear away this build-up you first need to empty the water by tipping your iron upside-down over the sink. Once it is empty fill it with vinegar, turn the setting to the highest heat with steam and leave it to “steam away” until empty. Next you need to fill it with water and repeat the “steam away” process. If any residue is left you can easily remove it, once cooled, with a dampened cotton cloth.

Even though cleaning your iron is a simple procedure, prevention is still supreme, so use distilled water in the reservoir; it has no minerals, which means no build-up and a longer life for your iron.

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