Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Better Life

How to clean an iron

Prevent your iron from sticking to clothing with these easy tips. - by Better Homes and Gardens
  • 23 Sep 2021

When is it time to clean an iron? If gummy buildup on the bottom soleplate "grabs" the fabric, rather than glides across; or instead of emitting steam, mineral deposits spurt out (or no steam at all), your iron is overdue for a refresh. Here's how to clean an iron with natural, readily available ingredients.

WATCH: Laundry hack that will save you hours

Depending on what substances are built up on your iron, different methods work best, so you can experiment with one or all.

clean-iron

Dish detergent

For an iron soleplate with a nonstick coating, try a cleaning strategy like this one that won't scratch the surface. Put a few drops of liquid dish detergent into water and use a paper towel or a soft rag dipped in sudsy water to wipe away residue.

Vinegar

Here's another good option that won't scratch the base of your iron. Dampen a paper towel or soft rag with distilled white vinegar, and wipe the soleplate to remove the gunk. If residue remains, soak a clean paper towel or rag in distilled white vinegar, lay the cool iron soleplate on the towel, and let soak for 15-30 minutes. Wipe away the remainder.

Bi-carb soda, salt, vinegar

Dampen a paper towel or rag with water or vinegar and dip a corner in bi-carb soda or coarse salt. Buff the soleplate clean. Bi-carb soda is less likely to scratch your iron than coarse salt.

Toothbrush, cotton swabs, or pipe cleaners

A toothbrush, cotton swabs, and pipe cleaners are handy tools for cleaning your iron's soleplate and steam vents. Scrub the soleplate with an old toothbrush to loosen and remove residue or use it to clean deposits (or remaining bi-carb soda or salt) from the vents. Cotton swabs and pipe cleaners work well, too, for removing deposits from steam vents.

Distilled water

Empty your iron's reservoir of stale water and refill with distilled water. Set the iron on high heat and full steam – some irons have a "steam clean" setting. Let your iron sit, allowing it to emit steam and clear the vents. You can also iron an old towel for several minutes so steam flushes the debris onto the towel. Empty any remaining water from the reservoir. Avoid putting vinegar in the water reservoir.

This article originally appeared on Better Homes and Gardens US.

You might also like

8 cleaning hacks to make your bathroom a better place

How to deep clean your home like a professional

5 cleaning mistakes everybody makes

  • Better Life
  • Cleaning

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

15 ironing hacks that will help you work smarter not harder

15 ironing hacks that will help you work smarter not harder

The best robot vacuums and mops to keep your floors looking spotless

The best robot vacuums and mops to keep your floors looking spotless

10 of the best eco-friendly cleaning products that’ll leave your home sparkling clean

10 of the best eco-friendly cleaning products that’ll leave your home sparkling clean

How to make your own eco cleaning products

How to make your own eco cleaning products

{headline}

{headline}

The best mould removal products

The best mould removal products

The best cordless stick vacuums that you need on your radar right now

The best cordless stick vacuums that you need on your radar right now

11 of the best mops for tiles, laminate and wooden floors

11 of the best mops for tiles, laminate and wooden floors

{headline}

{headline}

Clean window and sliding door tracks with this 2-minute hack

Clean window and sliding door tracks with this 2-minute hack

How often should you wash a mattress protector?

How often should you wash a mattress protector?

How to clean up Christmas tree needles

How to clean up Christmas tree needles

How to clean rust off steel

How to clean rust off steel

Cleaning vinegar: using vinegar to clean your home

Cleaning vinegar: using vinegar to clean your home

How to clean your stove top grates

How to clean your stove top grates

5 new ways to banish that stink in your kitchen sink

5 new ways to banish that stink in your kitchen sink

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Shop This Offer
Treat yourself to a subscription