How to Clean a Dirty Iron: A Simple Guide to Restoring Your Iron to New Condition
The iron is an essential tool for households worldwide, helping us maintain wrinkle-free clothing, even during the hottest months. While it may be tempting to put off ironing on a hot day, the truth is that, sooner or later, the iron itself needs a little TLC to maintain its effectiveness and extend its lifespan. Over time, the soleplate can become dirty with stains from clothing or lime buildup, and this can even lead to stains on freshly cleaned laundry. Regular maintenance of your iron is key to avoiding these issues.
Here’s a simple guide on how to clean your iron from top to bottom, so it performs like new again.
Why Cleaning Your Iron is Important
An iron can accumulate dirt and grime on its soleplate as it’s used. These stains can come from clothing or mineral deposits like lime. If left unchecked, these contaminants can damage your clothes, leave stains, or even clog the steam vents, reducing the iron’s performance. By cleaning your iron regularly, you can ensure that it remains efficient and prevents it from causing damage to your garments.
Quick and Easy Methods for Cleaning Your Iron
1. Baking Paper and Coarse Salt Method
This popular hack among housewives uses just two common household items: baking paper and coarse salt. Here’s how you can clean your iron using this method:
Lay a sheet of baking paper on a flat surface.
Cover the paper completely with coarse salt.
Heat up your iron until it’s very hot.
Press the hot iron over the baking paper and salt, just like you would iron your clothes. Apply firm pressure as you go over the surface.
You’ll notice that the dirt and lime stains begin to disappear. This simple trick restores the shine of your iron and gets it ready for use without risking damage to your clothes.
2. Vinegar Cleaning Method
Vinegar is a tried-and-true household cleaning agent that works wonders for many cleaning tasks. To clean your iron with vinegar, follow these steps:
Mix equal parts vinegar and water to create a cleaning solution.
Wipe the iron’s soleplate and exterior with the vinegar solution to remove any dirt or stains.
For stubborn grime on the soleplate, mix vinegar and coarse salt together and scrub gently.
To clean the inside of the iron (the boiler), fill the water reservoir with a 50/50 mixture of water and vinegar. Turn on the iron and let the steam escape to expel any built-up lime deposits from the boiler.
This method helps restore your iron’s performance and also helps prevent future buildup.
Tips for Using Your Iron Correctly
To avoid unnecessary wear and tear on your iron, here are some tips to keep in mind:
Avoid zippers and buttons: These can scratch the soleplate and may also snag on the fabric.
Use a cloth with synthetic fabrics: When ironing synthetic materials, always place a cloth between the fabric and the iron to avoid sticking.
Use distilled water: This helps prevent lime buildup in the tank and steam vents. Be sure to empty the water tank completely after each use.
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