How to clean your iron is probably the last thing on your mind – but to make sure it’s in working order, you’ll need to clean it regularly. And it doesn’t have to take all day – just follow these steps to get it done quickly.
A quick way to clean your iron without specialist products or vinegar is to fill the reservoir with distilled water and turn on the steam function until it’s completely empty.
How to Make an Iron Cleaner for the Reservoir
The part of the iron that you dispense water into can be easily cleaned with vinegar and water. Just make sure you check the manufacturer’s instructions before you give it a go. Some irons have a self-cleaning feature, whereas others can handle more vigorous commercial cleaners.
Pour equal parts white vinegar and water into the reservoir.
Let it soak for two hours.
Rinse the reservoir out with distilled water.
Don’t like the smell of vinegar? Try purified or distilled water, then turn on the steam option instead. You can help ventilate the room and get rid of the smell by keeping a window open.
How to Clean the Bottom of an Iron
If you want good results, you need to know how to clean an iron plate. Warm water and a cloth are great to carefully scrub off any marks, but the perfect iron cleaner for the job will also remove limescale. There are many commercial cleaners that can do the job – just apply a small amount of white vinegar solution as per the method below. It doesn’t smell particularly great, so make sure you rinse it off with water before you use the iron again.
How to Clean the Iron Plate
If you decide not to use a commercial cleaner, make sure you test all homemade solutions on a small area before tackling the entire iron. The iron also needs to be switched off and cool before you clean it.
Check out this video to see how to clean your iron safely and thoroughly:
You will need:
White vinegar
Warm water
A cloth
A brush
Create a solution using equal parts vinegar and water.
Cover the vinegar solution with a clean, soft cloth. Vinegar can sting a little in small cuts, so you may find it helps to wear gloves.
Start to clean the plate using the cloth. For more stubborn stains, try a paste of baking soda and water on the cloth instead.
Wipe the soleplate clean with a different dampened cloth.
Turn your iron on to test it and run it over an old piece of cotton or cloth.
Just follow these steps for a clean, efficient iron – making ironing a breeze.
When it comes to cleaning the reservoir and soleplate of your iron, white vinegar is a versatile solution.
Make sure your iron has cooled down, is turned off and unplugged at the mains before you start cleaning.
Metal scouring pads can scratch and damage the iron, so it’s best to avoid them for cleaning.