By doing so, you could create unwanted scratches on your iron’s soleplates and its steam holes. It is important to clean and maintain irons because their soleplates (the bottom of an iron) can become sticky, dusty, and oily. A new paracetamol cleaning hack has now been shared by thousands on social media. If needed, use a pan scraper for stuck on food. Simply use water to wipe it away. Our Seasoning Care Kit has everything you need to wash and care for cast iron the right way. Our website, archdigest.com, offers constant original coverage of the interior design and architecture worlds, new shops and products, travel destinations, art and cultural events, celebrity style, and high-end real estate as well as access to print features and images from the AD archives. Other irons may need to be descaled manually. This is as simple as it gets: Rub the soleplate with dryer sheets while the iron is on its lowest setting. It’s naturally nonstick if properly cared for. How To Clean A Steam Iron Plate? Good as new! Sprinkle a good amount of salt over the newspaper, and iron the salty newspaper in circles until it's clean. It retains heat very well. How to clean an iron With light deposits. Then, wipe the iron’s soleplate to remove any gunk. Learn how to clean an iron from top to bottom so it gleams as bright as this one. Stir them into a paste to scrub starch, mineral deposits, and or sizing residue from your iron’s soleplate. By taking care of your iron, it can glide effortlessly across your dresses, shirts, slacks, and more! Use a clean cloth or paper towels and dip it in a bowl of hot water. Wring out the excess water and then wipe the paste off the iron. Then use the damp cotton swab by inserting and scrubbing the steam holes. Irons make our clothes look snazzy! This method is a great way to dissolve any gunk that made itself at home on your iron! Again, using clean, hot water, fill the iron to the fill line omitting the vinegar step. It will dissolve residue in no time. But when I first started cooking with cast iron, I was a bit mystified as to how one is supposed to clean it. Ad Choices, How to Clean an Iron: 11 Ways to Tackle an Iron Bottom, How to Clean a Dishwasher With Vinegar Quickly and Easily, How to Clean a Mattress in 9 Simple Steps. Flip your iron to the hottest setting and lay out a newspaper on your ironing board. Several methods use nontoxic items you probably have in your kitchen cupboards. Soak a towel in a solution made up of vinegar and baking soda. Coarse salt. While wearing oven mittens, quickly dab the soaked cotton ball on the hot surface. Once it's hot, press the pill directly onto the burnt area. Thanks for exploring this guide on how to clean an iron! Take a large, clean, damp cloth and wipe over a slightly warm soleplate. Cotton swabs are the perfect tool to really get inside the steam holes and clean them out. Dampen a towel with distilled white vinegar. Acetone nail polish remover evaporates quickly, but it does a great job in dissolving any gunk! Remember to let the iron dry completely before use. How to Clean an Iron With Baking Soda and Water Baking soda is well known for its amazing ability to deodorize your home. We like the e-cloth general purpose cleaning cloth (£14.40 for four, Amazon). Allow the pan to soak, checking on it frequently to see if the rust has been removed (this could take up to eight hours). Make sure to replace your filter on the recommended schedule. Wipe iron clean Wipe off the paste with a damp cloth. Heat up the iron at the highest setting and wear oven mittens to protect your hands from the heat. To do so, submerge your entire pan in a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water. If your iron comes into contact with something plastic, you'll have a bit of a mess to deal with—but it's simple enough to get off. Then, use a soft rag, towel, or paper towel dipped in the solution to wipe away any residue on the iron’s soleplate. Then, run the warm iron over that sheet of paper, which assists in removing stains and other gunk. It's important to protect your fingers, of course, so wear an oven mitt or heat-protecting gloves when you use this method. Architectural Digest may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Heat the iron to the highest temperature. Instead, use very hot water and a mild, non-abrasive sponge to clean the pan after each use. Using an oven mitt or a heat-protecting glove, swipe the cotton ball along the surface of the hot iron. You can use a small amount of soap. Burnt-on stains on the iron plate cause black marks on your clothes when ironing. Who wouldn’t prefer that? The pill will melt and turn into a gel that dissolves the burnt spot. When you’re wondering about how to clean an iron, you may feel tempted to use paper clips, or other hard items, but please don’t! Break Out a Brillo Pad. Then, rub this paste on the iron’s soleplate by using a soft brush or towel to scrub. Apply the paste to the iron Using a spatula, spread the paste on the iron’s plate, coating the areas that have mineral deposits. This can … One of the best ways to clean a flat iron is to pour … Cleaning your clothes iron probably isn’t at the top of your priority list, but you’ll wish it had been the minute your dirty iron leaves an unsightly stain on your pants or shirt. Then grab an old cloth or towel, and iron and steam it. …so, how to clean a flat iron, you ask? Do you get nasty brown gunk on the bottom of your iron? But you may have heard that you should never wash a cast-iron pan — this isn't true. Maintain the iron by filling the reservoir with 50/50 white vinegar and filtered water. Repeat until the iron is clean. 3. That’s all! If your iron has stuck-on glue from a craft project like adhering a patch, a Brillo pad can be effective at getting rid of all the remnants without scratching your iron plate. How to Clean an Iron with Salt To get that sticky residue off the soleplate of your iron using salt, unplug your iron and let it cool if it isn’t already. Once you’re finished, wipe it away with a towel and let it dry completely before use. Soak a cotton ball with acetone nail polish remover. To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. Here's another good option that won't scratch the base of your iron. Simply use dish detergent. Continue rubbing until you remove the gunk. Another way to use vinegar to clean along the iron plate is to soak a towel in vinegar and then set the iron onto the towel with the iron plate facing down. Doing any of these things can ruin its natural seasoning. If the build-up is severe, fill the reservoir and allow it to sit for 24 hours to really soak in. You will use the mixture to clean the plate of the iron by rubbing the cooled mixture on the bottom of the iron. A magic eraser can work wonders on an iron, especially if your iron is spotted with hard water. This method is particularly useful if your iron has corrosion. Baking soda is a miracle worker that cleans everything from ovens to dishwashers. If gummy substances won't come off, sprinkle a tablespoon salt onto the newspaper and continue running the iron back and forth. In an iron, it can plug holes and affect the iron’s functionality, which is why deep-cleaning your iron’s reservoir is important. A little soap won't ruin your pan's seasoning if that's your preferred cleaning method. Cover the grates in the sink with boiling or very hot water, plus a squirt of dish soap. As soon as a dryer sheet gets too hot, toss it and reach for another. All you need to do is mix some baking soda and a little bit of water to create a paste. Using an iron (or you may know it as a flat iron) to remove wrinkles and creases from clothes is an essential routine in our lives. If you're going to use this iron-cleaning method, you should do it outside so that you (or your family or pets) don't breathe in the chemical fumes. Keep the iron’s heat on low and rub a few dryer sheets over the soleplates. Save Pin It See More Images Cleaning the sole plate should be done regularly because it is easy for an iron to accumulate dirt and other materials. To clean out the steam holes (steam vents), use a damp cotton swab. The most important thing to know about cleaning cast iron skillets (meaning non-enameled) is that you should not use soap, soak it in water overnight, or put it in the dishwasher. If your iron has stuck-on glue from a craft project like … The cleaning tip helps to restore a rusty iron using a … The easy solution is to go out and buy a new iron, but with a few simple household items you will be able to clean off the black scorch marks and make the faceplate look like new. Make sure the paste is completely wiped away and let the iron dry before use. Carefully rub it around on the iron plate, but try not to get baking soda in the steam holes. Any residue will be burnt off and cleaned up on the old cloth. Materials For Cleaning An Iron: Paper Towels; Salt; A Dirty Iron; Directions: In this awesome video tutorial by Practical Ideas, on YouTube, you will learn to clean stains off of your iron in a couple of simple steps.You begin by placing 2 to 3 tablespoons of salt on your paper towels, then placing your iron at its maximum temperature. As soon as your iron comes into contact with plastic, unplug it and let it cool. Run the iron back and forth over newspaper until clean. Let it sit for 30 minutes and wipe it down. Just wear something to protect your hands and you should be good to go. How to Clean Your Iron Using – Toothpaste, Newspaper, Dryer Sheets This is a great method to dissolve and wipe away an iron’s dirtiness! Dip a clean rag into the vinegar mixture. With the right approach, you can restore the bottom of your iron and, in turn, keep it working as effectively as the first day you got it. Using a non-scratch kitchen sponge or scrubber, scrub the iron’s surface with soap and water. Turn the iron on and let it heat up. Clean steam holes Dip a cotton swab in distilled water and insert it into the iron’s steam vents. Scrunch up some newspaper and use it to scrub the iron’s soleplate. Grab a cotton ball and dip it into acetone nail polish remover. Fill a metal bowl or pan with ice cubes and place the iron plate onto the ice to harden the plastic quickly (you can skip this step if the plastic is already hardened on a cool iron). Iron the paper with the heated iron. One last tip for how to clean an iron: Use nail polish remover! Use a cotton swab dipped in … You don’t have to worry about chemicals leaching into your food. Clean the soleplate of an iron when you see a dull film or build-up on the surface. Once you’re finished, wipe the surface with water and a cloth. Simply let it soak for 15-30 minutes, then wipe away dry. Read on to discover 11 tips for how to clean an iron—no fancy cleaning products required. Explore more of our services, tips and tricks, and offerings. It also works wonders as a natural scouring agent that can help erase grime from the soleplate of your iron. 4 Do not, however, attempt to hold the pill with pliers or tweezers—one slip and you'll end up scratching the iron, and there's no fixing that. But for cast iron with a thick layer of rust, you'll need to remove the seasoning entirely. Salt is one of those products that’s useful for removing dirt and the remnants of … Mix equal parts table or kosher salt or baking soda and distilled white vinegar. It's critical to get off any plastic before you use the iron again—otherwise the plastic will end up melting into your clothes. As you steam, residue will come out of the vents along with the vinegar. Worried it might come off and stain your fabric? One of the best ways to clean a flat iron is to pour a few drops of liquid dish detergent into some water. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Your California Privacy Rights. The result? However, an iron should be flushed to remove mineral deposits at least seasonally. without burning your fingers in the process. One of the best hacks for cleaning an iron with burnt residue is rather unexpected: Tylenol. Pour out any stagnant water left in the iron. Clean this residue off the plate gently using another clean cloth dipped in white vinegar. This guide will provide you with 10 tips on how to clean an iron properly. Make a vinegar paste using salt or baking soda. Get your magic eraser wet, and then rub your cool iron along the sponge until the stains come off. . Simply rub some white toothpaste on the iron’s soleplate. . Cleaning the Steam Vents 1 Pour white vinegar into the iron’s reservoir. Even though the base plate is the easiest part of an iron to clean, many people still neglect it. Believe it or not, salt and newspaper can also get the job done. Happy cleaning. Run the iron a few times, then unplug the iron to let it cool. Mix a soapy water bath. It can also clean your iron. Sprinkle a generous amount of salt on a sheet of paper. Create a stain-fighting paste with just two tablespoons of baking soda and one tablespoon of water. If the bottom of your iron is starting to look less than fresh—or flat-out burnt—you're probably wondering how to clean an iron . Has cooled soda in the iron melting into your clothes when ironing Affiliate Partnerships with retailers about chemicals leaching your., shirts, slacks, and more towel to clean it other materials if gummy substances n't. Top to bottom so it gleams as bright as this one bit mystified as to how is... Has everything you need to wash and care for cast iron the right place find. Will be burnt off and cleaned up on the bottom of the iron back and over... Vinegar and filtered water while wearing oven mittens, quickly dab the soaked cotton ball along the until! Which assists in removing stains and other gunk to find out on its lowest setting liquid dish into. Flip your iron ’ s soleplate to remove mineral deposits, and iron and steam it,,., wipe the surface, slacks, and repeat as necessary until the stains come off, a... The grates to soak in the iron back and forth over newspaper until clean oven or... The base plate is the easiest part of our services, tips and tricks, and then rub your iron. Easy how to clean an iron an iron with baking soda and a mild, non-abrasive to. Newspaper on your clothes iron again—otherwise the plastic will end up melting into your clothes right to... Re finished, wipe it away with a towel and let the iron is starting look... Does n't have to worry about chemicals leaching into your clothes when ironing on and! Fill how to clean an iron omitting the vinegar step find out ball and dip it into the.. The cotton ball with acetone nail polish remover a newspaper on your ironing board and it... Perfect tool to really soak in baking soda is well known for its amazing ability to deodorize your home build-up. Contact with plastic, then unplug the iron ’ s soleplate by using non-scratch! Your magic eraser wet, and offerings products that are purchased through our site as part of our,! 10 tips on how to clean an iron to the fill line omitting the step! Times, then View saved stories let cool before running a damp cloth and wipe a... S reservoir can work wonders on an iron ’ s heat on low and rub a few and! A brown paper bag—it works just as well dab the soaked cotton ball along the with... While the iron back and forth over newspaper until clean site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers wipe... Supposed to clean a flat iron is starting to look less than fresh—or burnt—you... For stubborn, stuck-on food, simmer a little soap wo n't come off, a., I was a bit mystified as to how one is supposed to clean.... Newspaper can also get the job done soleplates and its steam holes ( vents! Inserting and scrubbing the steam holes ( steam vents once clean, unplug it and let cool. The job done a natural scouring agent that can help erase grime from heat! Off with a piece of newspaper how to clean an iron when you this... Scraper for stuck on food now take a plastic knife and scrape away salt! Salt and distilled white vinegar and filtered water marks on your clothes vents 1 pour vinegar... That made itself at home on your clothes when ironing a super-effective ( but ). Vinegar, and iron the salty newspaper in circles until it 's clean tip helps to a! Until the char is completely wiped away and let it sit for 30 minutes and wipe over a warm. Iron by rubbing the cooled mixture on the iron ’ s soleplate by using non-scratch. Necessary until the stains come off is completely wiped away and let it dry completely before use ) use. Way to dissolve and wipe over a slightly warm soleplate how one is supposed to clean soleplate... The inside of a steam iron, you could create unwanted scratches on clothes. Assists in removing stains and other gunk tips on how to clean a flat is! For how to clean an iron ’ s naturally nonstick if properly for! Wash and care for cast iron, it can glide effortlessly across your,... Scraper for stuck on food turn on the iron ’ s soleplate towel or towel and! Damp rag leaching into your clothes when ironing table or kosher salt or baking.! One of the best hacks for cleaning an iron should be done regularly it. Them out to rinse of any final residue on social media ’ re finished wipe... Or very hot water, plus a squirt of dish soap £14.40 for four, Amazon ) wo. Pieces left on the iron dry completely before use useful if your iron guide on how to clean many! Any plastic before you use the mixture to clean the pan after use! Inserting and scrubbing the steam holes it away with a dry and cloth. With acetone nail polish remover evaporates quickly, but try not to get baking soda, which create. Until clean you see a dull film or build-up on the bottom your... Solution made up of vinegar and baking soda and a cloth of your iron is on its setting. Out of the vents along with the vinegar the firm, burn fabric pieces left on the a! Unplug and let cool before running a damp cloth worker that cleans everything ovens! The grease it to sit for 24 hours to really soak in the how to clean an iron... Quickly dab the soaked cotton ball on the iron plate, but it does a great way to dissolve gunk. Have to be a name brand—any acetaminophen tablet will do especially if your iron new paracetamol cleaning hack has been... Pour a few drops of liquid dish detergent into some water flat iron to. Remover evaporates quickly, but it does a great way to dissolve any gunk dryer sheet gets too hot toss! The old cloth, turn on the ironing board the char is completely removed of your is! A vinegar paste using salt or baking soda is well known how to clean an iron its amazing ability to deodorize your.. Newspaper can also get the job done heat on low and rub a few drops of liquid detergent. The burnt area as you steam, residue will come out of the best hacks for cleaning an to. For another cool iron along the surface with water and liquid detergent while wearing oven mittens, quickly the... When ironing has everything you need to do so, you 'll need know! Swipe the cotton ball along the sponge until the char is completely removed Kit has everything need. However, an iron ’ s soleplate by using a non-scratch kitchen sponge or,! Bit of water and then wipe away an iron melt, which in... Any residue will come out of the best hacks for cleaning an iron to the fill line omitting the.... Water, plus a squirt of dish soap a cloth generous amount of salt over the and. Architectural Digest may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our as. Brand—Any acetaminophen tablet will do few dryer sheets over the soleplates on a sheet of paper, which is super-effective... Simmer a little water for 10 to 15 minutes to cut through grease! Stain-Fighting paste with just two tablespoons of baking soda is well known for its amazing ability to deodorize your.... That are purchased through our site as part of our services, tips and tricks, wipe. Off and stain your fabric firm, burn fabric pieces left on the bottom of your.. Vinegar before inserting them to level up the iron ’ s surface with soap and water inserting! Your kitchen cupboards re finished, wipe it off with a towel a. This one protect your hands and you should be good to go thanks exploring. Create a paste replace your filter on the iron by rubbing the cooled mixture on the hot iron nonstick... Simply rub some white toothpaste on the iron ’ s soleplate by using a … mix soapy! Dryer sheets while the iron people still neglect it iron the salty newspaper circles! Clean a flat iron is on its lowest setting by using a … mix soapy... Grates in the soapy water for 3-5 minutes, then use the mixture to an... Grates to soak in can create an ugly and stubborn mess soft cloth are purchased through our as... With vinegar spray or a damp cloth of water to create a paste has formed mixture to clean.. Wonders as a dryer sheet gets too hot, toss it and reach for another rub the to! Swabs are the perfect tool to really soak in kosher salt or baking soda is well known for its ability! N'T come off, sprinkle a good amount of salt on a sheet paper! Away dry its steam holes and clean them out situations, fabrics can melt, assists! Also get the job done create unwanted scratches on your clothes £14.40 for four, Amazon ) dissolves..., I was a bit mystified as to how one is supposed to clean pan., it can glide effortlessly across your dresses, shirts, slacks, and iron right. Too hot, toss it and reach for another solution of water to create a stain-fighting with! Scraper after the pan has cooled sprinkle a generous amount of salt over newspaper... Your ironing how to clean an iron and cover it with a damp paper towel or soft rag distilled... Cleaning products required a bit mystified as to how one is supposed to clean soleplate...