What is the best way to clean an iron? There are several ways you can easily do it at home… we exlain the 8 best methods to clean an iron properly.
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Hard to believe: some people actually love ironing. For the rest of us, it’s a chore — but it’s a chore made harder when the iron is not clean. In order for irons to work for a long time, some regular light maintenance is required. In the following guide you will find important tips on how to clean your iron.
When ironing, the soleplate inevitably comes into contact with residues of detergents or fabric softeners. Individual components stick to the sole and have a long-term negative effect on the ironing, sliding and smoothing function. Even if the temperature is too high, material residues, such as plastic residues or fiber traces, can stick to the soleplate and reduce the ironing performance.
Another problem with steam irons is calcification in the water tank. If the tank is not serviced regularly, lime residues can completely clog the freshly washed ironing or steam nozzles. Tip: Regular cleaning is essential to prevent such defects or total damage.
Clean the iron with aluminum foil
For difficult layers of dirt, aluminum foil proves to be a real natural talent: Simply place a suitable piece of aluminum foil on the ironing board and heat the iron to maximum temperature. Now simply iron the foil – the dirt particles stick to the metal foil. The process can be repeated depending on the degree of contamination.
Clean the iron with an oven spray
Spray the soleplate with oven spray according to the instructions. Let the spray take effect and then remove the dirt with a cloth. Repeat the process here if necessary and finally polish the sole. Important: This cleaning is not suitable for irons with aluminum soles!
Clean the iron with baking soda
Make a spreadable paste from baking soda and a little water and spread it on the cold soleplate. Warm the device to the lowest setting and rub the paste over the entire ironing surface with a cotton cloth for about five minutes. Once all dirt has been removed, polish the soleplate with a clean cloth. Caution: The method is not suitable for steam irons!
Clean the iron with the ceramic hob cleaner
Rub the soleplate with the ceramic hob cleaner according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Leave to take effect and clean the soleplate with a damp linen cleaning cloth. Then polish the sole with a dry cloth. If the desired result is not achieved, repeat the process. WARNING: Do not use on steam irons as the steam nozzles get blocked!
Clean the iron with vinegar
Soak a cotton cloth with pure vinegar essence. Now heat the device on a low setting (without steam) and iron the cloth. Then leave the iron on the vinegar to cool off with the soleplate. In the aftereffect, dirt particles are still loosened and even limescale can be easily removed from the steam nozzles. Tip: In concentrated form, vinegar is aggressive. Therefore, wear gloves and do not inhale the vapors.
Clean the iron with an eraser
In fact, you can also use a simple eraser to remove burned-in textile fibers. The soleplate must be cold so that the dirt particles can be erased. Finally polish the soleplate blank. Tip: Use light and monochrome erasers!
Clean the iron with a cleaning pen
Special cleaning pens for irons are commercially available. Make sure you follow the instructions for use! First heat the device to medium temperature. Then work the sole with the pencil until all the toppings have been loosened. Finally polish the sole with a soft cotton cloth. The pens are easy to use and very effective.Tip: Always use an old pad with this method, as the pens drip easily!
Clean the iron with lemon juice
Lemon juice is a good dirt remover and light dirt can be removed perfectly. Squeeze a lemon and soak a soft cotton cloth in the juice. Rub the dirt stains on the soleplate with lemon juice. The residues can be removed from the sole without much pressure. Finally polish with a cloth so that the sliding function is optimized again.
Clean a steam iron
Limescale often builds up in the steam iron water tank. The water changes color and the steam function is impaired. As a result, brown stains or lime residues contaminate the clean textiles.
To avoid this problem from the outset, you should only use distilled water and empty the tank after each use. Regular descaling is also essential. There are liquid decalcification products for this purpose that are easy to use. Alternatively, you can also remove the calcifications with vinegar water.
The mixing ratio should be about one part vinegar to two parts water. Fill the solution into the tank and heat the device. Let it work for five to ten minutes. Then empty the water tank and rinse it thoroughly.
Tip: Soak cotton swabs with vinegar water to remove lime residues from the steam nozzles.
With these tips you should get your iron clean easily. So that you can enjoy the device for a long time, it is advisable to clean the sole with a damp, non-metallic sponge after each use!
