Keeping your iron clean is essential for maintaining its efficiency and ensuring the longevity of both the appliance and your clothes. Over time, mineral deposits, fabric residues, and other impurities can accumulate on the soleplate of the iron, leading to uneven heat distribution, sticky stains on clothing, and even potential damage to delicate fabrics. Learning how to clean an iron is a simple yet crucial household task that can greatly improve your ironing experience and help you achieve crisp, wrinkle-free results every time you press your clothes.
Whether you’re an occasional iron user or rely on it daily, mastering the art of iron cleaning will not only extend the life of your appliance but also contribute to the overall care and maintenance of your wardrobe. In this guide, we’ll walk you through step-by-step instructions and effective techniques to keep your iron in top-notch condition, ensuring it remains a reliable ally in your quest for well-pressed, impeccable attire.
What is the black stuff on my iron?
The soleplate of your iron becomes black over time because of the build-up of burnt fabric, dirt, and ironing spray. Furthermore, accumulated heavy water and rust clog the holes of the plate.. Here are some simple ways to clean your iron at home.
How clean the soleplate of a steam iron?
- To remove burnt spots off your iron take Tylenol tablets and press the hot iron on them from exactly where you want to remove the spot. A melted tablet will help loosen the stain. Now, vigorously rub a clean cloth over the stain until you have completely removed it.
- You can use baking soda paste as a versatile stain remover, which is also effective for cleaning your iron plate. Carefully put a generous amount of this paste over the plate and scrub it off with a brush.
- To clean holes of a steam iron dip cotton swabs in distilled vinegar and put it in the holes to clean them thoroughly.
- Take a vinegar-soaked towel and put your iron at a medium-high temperature and place it on the towel for about 20 minutes.
- Salt is also a very good cleaning agent. Take a good amount of salt on paper and glide hot iron over it, this will help remove the gunk off your iron plate.
- If you mess up your iron with melted plastic or chewing gum rub ice cubes over the plate to harden the plastic or chewing gum. Now scrape it off carefully using a plastic knife. Remove the remaining residue using vinegar or baking soda paste.
- Nailpolish remover can also be used to dissolve the stubborn grime. Let the iron heat up and soak cotton or tissue paper in acetone and rub the bottom plate rigorously.
- Dishwashing soaps and laundry detergents can also serve the purpose. Use a dish scrubber to scrub the gunk off.
- Dryer sheets can also be used to wipe the grimed iron plate. Rub them while the iron is slightly heated to get better results.
How clean steam iron vents?
- Pour half a cup of distilled water mixed with half a cup of water in the water compartment of your steam iron. Now, take cotton buds soaked in this mixture and insert them in the holes to clean the hard water build-up. Use a toothpick or a small toothbrush to clean out the residue. Now turn on the iron and let the steam of the mixture come out of the vents for further cleaning.
How clean the jets on my iron?
White vinegar or apple cider vinegar both work wonders for cleaning water jets of iron. Simply heat up the vinegar and press the button to spray it out of the jets. This will help unclog them.
Tips to maintain the cleanliness of iron for a long time
- Always use distilled water to fill up your steam iron. Hard water quickly clogs the jets and vents of your iron.
- Make sure to fill up the iron unplugged and not when it is hot.
- Don’t forget to empty the water container of your iron before keeping it away for a long period of time.
- While not in use keep the iron in a standing position. So that water does not leak out which will prevent hard water build-up and rusting of the bottom plate.
- To avoid damage to the bottom plate make sure not to press directly on zippers, metal hooks, plastics, and fabric paints.
All of these cleaning hacks are very effective for cleaning your iron at home. If you’re tired of your clothes ironing routine and you want to get your clothes ironed by a professional. Make sure to have a look at our excellent clothes ironing service.