Ironing itself is a chore, but ironing with a burnt iron is even more dreadful. And, it’s not only the smell that’s unbearable, but the fact that it sticks to, and even burns your clothes. But, there are several home tricks that can help you clean your iron in no time.
How to clean a burnt iron
The first thing you do to clean a burnt iron is leave it to cool thoroughly. Next, remove the stuck-on fabric. You can use a pair of tweezers or wooden chopsticks to peel the burnt fabric off the bottom. Then you can proceed to cleaning the iron plate by using any of the following tricks.
1# Salt
Place a cotton cloth on your ironing board. Put a few tablespoons of salt on the cloth. Turn the iron on to the cotton setting and when it heats up, iron over the salt rubbing back and forth. In the end, turn off the iron and let it cool thoroughly before wipe-cleaning the plate with a wet cloth.
2# Vinegar
If your iron is scorched badly, then you need the vinegar method. For this, you need to soak a soft cloth in warm white vinegar. Then, rub the burnt iron plate with the cloth until the marks are gone. In the end, wipe your iron clean with another cloth soaked in clean water.
If this won’t do, then mix a few teaspoons of table salt or baking soda with warm white vinegar. Mix until the ingredients dissolve well. Dip a clean cloth in this mixture then rub the burnt iron. Continue cleaning until the marks are gone. Finish by wiping it with a wet cloth.
3# Laundry detergent
You can also clean your iron with some liquid detergent if it’s not made of stick sole plate. Drip a few drops of the detergent in a small bowl filled with warm water. Soak a clean cloth in this solution then scrub the iron plate. Finish by drying the bottom of the iron with a clean towel.
4# Dish soap
It often happens that the burnt marks block the iron vents. To deal with this, mix some water with some gentle dish soap (like Ivory, for instance). Dip a cloth in this mixture then rub the plate and the blocked vents. In the end, wipe-dry the iron plate with a clean towel.
5# Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is also an effective tool for cleaning burnt iron plates. For this soak a cloth in some hydrogen peroxide and then go over it with a hot iron until the stains are removed.
6# Metal polish
You can also use several drops of metal polish solution to clean an iron that doesn’t have a coated plate. Clean the stains with the polish until they disappear, then towel-dry the plate.
No matter which technique you decide upon, it’s important to first read the instructions manual that comes with the iron. It’s very likely that the manufacturer has included directions on how to clean the iron.
7# Prevention is a key
Taking precaution when using the iron is probably the best way to keep it clean. This means that you should use appropriate temperature for the fabric you’re ironing. It’s also important to clean your iron regularly to prevent fabric sticking to it.
And, never use abrasive cleaners or scrub brushes to clean a scorched iron plate as these will only worsen the issue.
Via keepyourbody.org
