If you want to clean your iron and remove sticky substances from the soleplate, there are suitable cleaning methods for this. This makes it easy to remove dirt and deposits from calcified splash water. There's even a chance of accidentally removing melted plastic from clothing and surfaces. If you want a durable, versatile steam iron with little maintenanceuse in the household, you can take a few steps to keep your device working well and staying clean. This can accordingly make ironing an easy and productive household chore.
When should you clean your iron?
A schedule for cleaning an iron depends heavily on how often your appliance is used and what products you use each time. However, you should rinse and care for an iron at least seasonally to remove mineral deposits. If you need to clean the soleplate of your iron, there are usually adhesive residues orLimescale deposits on the surfaceto see. However, your home appliance should be turned off, unplugged and completely cooled down before you start cleaning.
If your steam iron sputters and leaves mineral or rusty water stains on your clothes, it means the steam vents are clogged and the iron needs a thorough cleaning. You can purchase commercially available steam iron cleaning products that promise to break up the clogs. However, some iron manufacturers will void the warranty because these products could cause additional damage. So it would be best to use home remedies like distilled whiteto use vinegar.
How to clean a clogged steam iron with vinegar
Mix 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar and 1/2 cup distilled water. Pour the cleaning solution into a cool, turned off iron. Check the steam ducts with the iron standing upright on a stable surface. If you see white residuecalcified watercan see in the holes, use a wooden or plastic toothpick or an old toothbrush to remove debris. Never use metal objects that could scratch the soleplate. Turn off the iron, unplug it and allow it to cool completely. Once cooled, empty the remaining vinegar and water mixture from the iron's container. Even if you carefully use distilled water every time you iron, you should use the vinegar and distilled water mixture every few months to keep your iron steaming at its best.
This is how you can clean the soleplate of the iron
You should never scrub the soleplate with anything hard that can cause scratches. Once the finish is damaged, it is almost impossible to prevent rust or staining. The soleplate of the iron can therefore become resinous and dirty with starch or lime residue. This requires regular cleaning and care. To do this, mix table salt or baking soda with a little distilled white vinegar to form a paste. If youApply baking soda, the vinegar will cause it to foam, so mix it in a bowl large enough to hold the foam. Dip a clean white cloth into the mixture and use it to scrub the soleplate of the iron. Some areas require a little more effort to remove the dirt. For really stuck-on deposits, let the paste sit for at least 10 minutes before scrubbing. Rinse the soleplate with a clean white cloth dipped in clean water.
How to remove adhesive residue when cleaning your iron
If some plastic has melted on your iron soleplate, you should clean it up or it will transfer to the next item of clothing. If you then iron again, you may damage the fabric. To do this, first unplug the power plug and cool it down if, for example, you use citric acid when cleaning your iron. Fill a shallow pan with ice cubes and place the melted, plastic-stained part of the iron on top of the ice. Let it sit for five to ten minutes to harden the plastic. Then use a dull plastic knife or the edge of an old credit card to scrape away the hardened plastic.
Mix table salt or baking soda with a little distilled white vinegar to form a paste. Gently scrub the soleplate to remove any plastic residue from the surface. You can then rinse the iron soleplate with a clean cloth dipped in fresh water. If the plastic has transferred to the clothing you are ironing, place the fabric in the freezer for at least an hour. Use the same technique as a dull plastic knife to gently scrape away the plastic. However, this is a slow process and you may not completely remove the plastic.
More iron care tips
Tap water, even if filtered, contains minerals that can clog, corrode and damage the iron. This can result in rusty water splashing onto your clean clothes. Therefore, always use bottled distilled water when filling an iron. The iron's water tank should be filled when the appliance has cooled down and before connecting it to the power supply. After ironing, when the iron has cooled down, empty the container before storing the iron. This is especially important if you don't iron frequently. Wipe away any external moisture with a clean cloth. Storing the cooled iron in an upright position also prevents water from escaping and protects the soleplate from scratches. To protect the soleplate from damage, try never to iron plastic zippers, metal zippers, snaps, hooks, needles, screen prints, or stickers without an ironing cloth.
