Don’t let a dirty iron ruin your clothes!

Your iron could be one of the hardest working appliances in your home, but over time, its soleplate can accumulate dirt, grime, and mineral build-up that can leave stains on your clothes. If you want to make sure that your iron is working properly, it is essential to give it a bit of TLC now and again. Here are some easy ways to keep your it clean.

Vinegar and salt

Mix equal parts of white vinegar and salt to create a cleaning paste. Apply the paste to the iron soleplate, avoiding the steam vents, and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Wipe the paste off with a clean cloth. You can also switch on the iron and give the steam button a blast onto a cloth just in case any of the solution has made it into the vents.  

Cotton wool and acetone

Turn on your iron. Grab a cotton ball and dip it into acetone nail polish remover. Using tweezers or kitchen tongs to protect your fingers, run the cotton ball over the surface of your hot iron. Any residue will dissolve and disappear.  

Tumble dryer sheets

Turn your iron on to the lowest heat and rub the soleplate with the dryer sheet. Repeat until the iron is clean. Clever uses for tumble dryer sheets outside of the laundry

Sodium bi-carb and water

Create a paste using sodium bi-carb and water, thick enough to spread onto the iron soleplate, but not too thick. Spread over any tough stains and leave for 10 mins, avoiding the steam vents. Wipe clean with a soft cloth. If any gets into the vents, turn on the iron and give the steam button a blast onto a cloth.

Cotton bud and white vinegar

Cotton buds dipped in vinegar are the perfect tool to really get inside the steam holes and clean them out.

Vinegar and water

Fill the water reservoir with a mixture of half distilled white vinegar and half water, then steam an old cloth or towel. This will release residue and vinegar from the vents.

Salt and brown paper

Heat your iron to the hottest setting and lay out some brown paper on your ironing board. Sprinkle a good amount of salt over the paper and iron in a circular motion until the iron is clean.  

Toothpaste

Cover the cold iron soleplate with non-gel toothpaste and let it sit for 2-3 minutes. Wipe with a soft cotton towel with gentle circular motions. Rinse away the toothpaste. Turn the iron on maximum temperature and push the steam button, to clean any toothpaste residue left in the steam vents.

*Always use soft towels and cotton cloths when cleaning the metal plate of the iron to avoid scratching it. Never clean non-stick or ceramic iron plates with abrasive substances like salt or sodium bicarb.

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