How do you clean an iron? Check out the best proven iron cleaning methods

Have you ever discovered a stain on your clothes when ironing? Or maybe she was furious that her burnt old iron had ruined his favorite item of clothing. Such situations are the result of dirt accumulating on the device. If you dream of fresh and clean clothes, you must first take care of your iron. Learn how to clean an iron and get rid of dirt from your appliance.

Why is it so important to clean the iron?

Periodic cleaning of the iron is a very important matter, since it helps to keep the device in good condition. In this way, your clothes will always look neat and clean. The systematic cleaning of the iron plate is important so that light clothes do not stain when ironing. But that's not all you can do to keep the device working properly for a long time. Other than that, you have to apply some rules.

How to make your iron work longer?

If you want to increase the useful life of your iron, remember some rules when using it. For it:

• follow the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations,

• Clean the iron plate just before using it,

• iron delicate fabrics through a cotton cloth,

• start cleaning the iron plate only after it cools down,

• remove excess water from the container each time you iron,

• decalcify the device regularly,

• avoid rubbing the iron plate against sharp surfaces,

• Avoid using harsh chemicals intended for metals.

Dirt can accumulate on the device for various reasons. One of them is the dust that settles on the iron plate. A growing layer of dust creates a sticky surface and sticks to the appliance. When heated, the dirty residue remains on the ironed clothes.

Another factor that could have an adverse impact is setting the temperature too high. As a result, the burnt iron leaves black marks on the clothes that are difficult to wash. Dirt also accumulates inside the appliance. Hard water poured into the water container could cause scale buildup. For this reason, anyone wondering how to clean an iron should remember to clean the inside as well.

For ironing to be effective and without problems, it is not enough to clean the iron. The surface on which the clothes are ironed is equally important. The most convenient and also the safest solution is simply an ironing board. In case you do not have such an object (for example, due to lack of space), you can use a towel placed on a smooth and hard surface.

How to clean an iron? 5 DIY Tricks to Clean a Steam Iron

There are many ways to clean an iron. There are some popular methods that you can try yourself. Please note that the griddle cleaning solution should be appropriate for the griddle plate coating - this way you can be sure it is safe and effective.

Vinegar Soda Paste - A well-known iron cleaning solution

A mixture of vinegar and baking soda is one of the most popular methods of cleaning an iron. This paste-shaped cleaning solution is perfect for removing tough stains from your griddle. Prepare the mixture in a 2:1 ratio - mix two parts of soda with one part of vinegar. Take care not to mix the solution too quickly. The ingredients react with each other, and could build up very quickly, forming a lot of foam.

Although this method is very effective, it cannot be used with a Teflon iron plate. The mixture of these two ingredients is harmful to Teflon surfaces.

Toothpaste to clean a burnt iron plate

How do you clean an iron plate made of aluminum? Toothpaste is a perfect remedy for it. Just use mint toothpaste, spreading it all over the plate with a soft cloth or toothbrush. Rub the iron gently until the burn marks are gone. Then wipe the surface of the paste, paying attention to the steam holes of the appliance.

Paracetamol - not so obvious but a very effective method of cleaning an iron

There are methods for cleaning an iron that may be less popular, but are just as powerful as the others. One of them is the use of paracetamol. The biggest advantage is the fact that it can be used on any type of surface. You just have to heat the iron and press a paracetamol tablet against the surface. To easily get rid of black marks, rub it in a circular motion against the sole.

Wait for the iron to cool down and finish cleaning with a damp cloth.

How to clean an iron with lemon juice

Lemon juice is an effective agent that dissolves even the most stubborn dirt that adheres to the surface of the device. It is one of the fastest methods to clean the iron plate. It can be used on any surface, including ceramic and Teflon. Just soak a soft cloth with a little lemon juice. Then rub the burned surface until the black marks disappear. Similar results can be achieved by ironing a fluffy towel soaked in lemon juice.

A burnt iron plate? Only use kitchen salt

Salt is a good way to clean any type of iron. Lay a piece of parchment paper or newspaper on a flat, even surface. Then pour some salt over it and press a hot iron. Rub it against the salty surface - the dirt will disappear after a few minutes.

How do you clean an iron with a ceramic plate?

A ceramic iron is very delicate, so it needs special treatment.

Small stains can be removed with acid solutions such as vinegar or lemon juice. If the iron is badly burned, they may be ineffective. How do you clean an iron in such a case? Just use a raw wood board. Heat the appliance and rub the board against the surface, using the appropriate force.

Be careful not to press too hard when ironing. You could damage the fragile iron plate. You can also try using a special brush for ceramic surfaces. Keep in mind that it is a risky method and you should be careful.

How do you clean an iron with a Teflon coated plate?

Another type of fragile plates are those with a Teflon-coated plate. They are very prone to scratches, so use with care.

How to clean an iron so that the process is safe for the surface? If the iron is burned, you can try rubbing it with a soft cloth dipped in vinegar. Because Teflon is a very delicate surface, cleaning the iron requires extra patience.

Mistakes that one should avoid when cleaning an iron plate with a brittle coating:

• …a quick, quick rub against the surface,

• cleaning the iron plate with a wire brush,

• using baking soda or salt,

• using chemicals intended for other types of surfaces.

How to clean a steam iron safely

The daily cleaning of a steam iron must be done very carefully so that the appliance is not damaged.

A steam iron is quite different from the rest of the devices of this type. It uses hot steam that is distributed through specially designed steam vents. In traditional irons, steam is used only as a supplement. Because a steam iron works differently than other appliances, it also needs to be cleaned differently. How can such an iron be cleaned to make it safe?

Like any other iron, a steam iron must be cleaned each time before using it. Otherwise, the dust could cause the iron to burn. For regular cleaning, it is good to use a cleaning cream, specifically designed for this type of device. It should be spread over the surface with a clean, soft cloth.

If the device burns, the best remedy in such a case is vinegar. Soak a cloth in a hot solution made from half a glass of vinegar and two tablespoons of baking soda. Rub it delicately until the marks disappear, it is a very fast method.

How to clean an iron with a buildup of scale?

Descaling an iron is a very important part of device maintenance. It should be repeated regularly, at least once every two months. Cleaning the iron in this way can make it last much longer without failure.

If you are wondering how to clean an iron and get rid of scale, there are several methods to choose from. The easiest way is to buy a softener. Pouring this strong chemical into the device gets rid of limescale in no time.

The softener is a very cheap product. It is completely safe for irons, so there is no need to worry that it might damage your device.

Another, even less expensive method of cleaning a griddle with scale buildup is a vinegar/water solution. Pour it into the water tank and start ironing a cloth until the limescale falls off. When ironing, you will smell a characteristic vinegar smell.

Another very popular and cheap way to clean a griddle from scale is to use a citric acid solution. To make it, a glass of water is mixed with three tablespoons of acid. Similar to the previous method, turn on the iron and start ironing a cloth. The scale should fall through the steam holes.

There are irons that have a special function called calc-cleaning or self-cleaning. Notifies the user when the device needs to be cleaned. It is usually marked with a special light.

Review other things in life at home. Learn how to save a burnt pot, wash your carpet and clean the washing machine. Choose only the most effective methods.

How to clean an iron that has been burned?

First, choose the correct method for cleaning a griddle iron. One of the most popular and safe remedies for any type of appliance is to iron a cloth soaked in lemon juice. This way you can quickly get rid of black marks.

What should I use to clean the iron plate?

Use a soft, damp cloth each time before using the iron to get rid of dust. You can also use an earphone to clean out the steam holes. Cleaning the iron is important as it prevents the device from malfunctioning.

How do you clean a Teflon-coated iron?

The best method for cleaning a Teflon griddle is to wipe the surface with a vinegar-soaked cloth. Avoid using force as this could damage the delicate surface. Do this regularly so that the iron is always ready for use.