Cleaning 101: How to Clean a Burnt Iron
Wondering how to clean an iron? You're not alone! If you're noticing funky smells or scorch marks (caused by burned fabric) or funky smells, we've got the hacks you need to keep your appliance in great working order.
Keep reading to discover how to clean a burnt iron, why you should clean out the water reservoir more often, and much more.
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Why Should I Clean My Iron?
Residue buildup doesn't only make your iron less effective: It can also lead to gross smells, snagged materials, uneven steam production, and burn marks that'll stain fabrics. As if that's not enough, residue-covered irons can lead to fires.
How to Clean the Bottom of an Iron: 11 Methods
Cleaning an iron requires a handful of ingredients and tools that you probably have at home. Don't panic if the remedy doesn’t remove product buildup: Different methods work better on different types of residue, so try something new until you see results.
Start by cleaning built-up residue from the steam holes of a cooled, unplugged iron. Use a toothpick, clean toothbrush, or cotton swab to wipe away gunk. Most importantly: Never use anything metal to clean an iron plate.
Pro Tip: Because polyester and microfiber melt at high heat, cover these fabrics with a natural fiber towel first.
1. Iron Over Salt & Newspaper
Turn your iron on a warm setting (without steam). Place a piece of newspaper or parchment paper on the ironing board and cover with a thin layer of salt. When the iron is heated, rub it quickly over the salt – in a circle – for one minute. Repeat, refreshing salt as necessary.
Unplug the iron, let it cool, and remove remnants with a damp microfiber cloth.
2. Scrub with Baking Soda
Who doesn’t love the cleaning power of baking soda? Create a thick paste of 2 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Next, cover the iron plate but avoid covering steam vents. Scrub with a clean toothbrush and wipe away with a damp microfiber cloth.
3. Rub on Vinegar & Baking Soda
Distilled white vinegar and baking soda make for an effective iron cleaning combination – and you probably have them in your pantry. Make a paste with equal parts vinegar and baking soda, dip a clean microfiber cloth into the paste, then rub it in small circles over the soleplate.
Dip a clean microfiber cloth into distilled water (especially important if you have hard water) and thoroughly wipe off any paste residue.
4. Wipe with Toothpaste
Using a cotton bud or paper towel, rub a small amount of plain, white toothpaste (not gel) onto your iron's scorch marks. Only cover the affected areas and wipe off with a damp microfiber cloth.
If toothpaste gets into the steam vents, don't worry: Fill the tank with distilled water, place the iron upright on an old towel, set the iron to steam, and let it sit for a few minutes on the ironing board. Hold the steam button for 20-30 seconds and wipe with a damp cloth. Repeat 5-6 times until the steam flows freely.
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5. Rub Iron with Paracetamol
Paracetamol (e.g. acetaminophen, Tylenol) is handy to clean scorched iron. Be sure to use a white, uncoated variety!
Turn your iron on high, grasp a paracetamol tablet with a pair of tweezers, and rub the tablet all over the soleplate. Avoid touching the hot surface with your tweezers. The tablet should gradually dissolve into a gel, dissolving residue right along with it. Repeat as many times as necessary, then rub the hot iron over a clean, damp towel.
6. Clean Out with Cotton Swabs
If you find that your iron's steam holes are clogged or grimy, clean them out using a cotton swab dipped in white vinegar. Cotton swabs are perfect for cleaning out steam vents, especially since they don’t scratch the plate’s surface.
7. Use a Magic Eraser
The secret to using a magic eraser to clean an iron? Get it wet, and then run it on the burn marks until they disappear. This tip especially works if your iron is marred with hard water spots.
8. Scrape with a Dull Knife and Ice Cubes
If you've ever accidentally sewed over a plastic button and have it melted onto the fabric, you know it can be tough to remove. First, unplug your iron and let it completely cool. Once cooled, place the iron onto a bowl or pan of ice cubes. This will harden any plastic that's stuck to the iron.
Then take a dull plastic knife or wooden spatula and scrape at the plastic. Make sure all plastic is completely removed to avoid getting it on your next load of clothing to be ironed.
9. Rub with Dryer Sheets
Did you know dryer sheets can work in a pinch to clean an iron? Thanks to its mild abrasive qualities, they can work wonders. Put your iron on its lowest setting, and then rub the plate with dryer sheets. Replace the dryer sheet once it gets too hot with another one.
10. Wipe the Surface with Nail Polish Remover
Again, if you're in a pinch, you can use nail polish remover to tackle grime and residue. Turn on your iron, and once it's hot, take a cotton ball dipped in nail polish remover and wipe the surface so that the solution absorbs dirt. You'll see dirt dissolve before your eyes!
11. Use the Right Natural Surface Cleaner
Start with a cool, unplugged iron and spray the soleplate with Puracy Multi-Surface Cleaner. Let the formula sit for 30-60 seconds, then scrub with a clean microfiber towel. It’s absolutely that easy.
Pro Tip: Our 99.51% natural all-purpose spray can be safely used on any non-porous surface. Unsurprisingly, this makes it an unbelievable iron cleaner.
