How To Clean A Clothes Iron (Step by Step)
From melted gunk on the soleplate to rusty mineral buildup, irons can get grimy! Learn how to deep clean your iron here.
Servings 1 clean iron
Cost $8
Equipment
- Magic Eraser
- Cotton Swabs
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 3/4 cup distilled water
Instructions
Cleaning The Iron Soleplate
- Using a Magic Eraser, dampen it with water, wring it out, then use it wipe away any visible grime on the soleplate. You can also use the Magic Eraser to clean the other exterior parts of your iron too. Just be sure to use light pressure when wiping over printed numbers or words, as the abrasive foam can rub right through printed ink if you press too firmly!
Cleaning Gunk From a Soleplate
- If something has been melted onto your iron or it’s developed a grimy burnt-on residue, apply FAULTLESS Hot Iron Cleaner to your iron’s soleplate using a cloth while the plate is hot. (Oftentimes those stubborn melted messes won’t budge unless you heat them up first!) This cleaner can help you remove melted fabrics and fusibles, glue, starch, and other messes that more generalized cleaners can’t handle.
Cleaning The Iron Reservoir
- Dump any water out of the reservoir, then pour 1/4 cup of white vinegar and 3/4 cup of distilled water into the empty reservoir.
- Plug in your iron, set it to one of the steam settings, and allow it to warm up for 3-5 minutes.
- Press the steam button until steam comes out, and repeat around 5 times before turning off the iron. (If you iron doesn’t have a steam button, just let it spit out steam for a minute or two and then turn it off.)
- Unplug the iron, then carefully use a cotton swab to clean the steam holes on the soleplate and the spray nozzle. When the iron is cool to the touch, empty the reservoir and discard the vinegar mixture. To prevent mineral buildup in the future, only use distilled water to fill the reservoir.
