If your iron has accumulated waste and you do not know what to do to clean it and it looks like the first day, here is the solution.
Over time, the plates deteriorate and can end up ruining clothes. The water in the steam irons causes deposits of lime and other minerals to accumulate. Sprays and ironing starches can leave a sticky residue on the iron. And if you accidentally burn a piece of clothing, some stains or residue may remain. But everyone has a solution. With our directions to clean the iron with baking soda as well as other homemade tricks, your iron will look like the first day.
How to clean the iron step by step
- Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with one tablespoon of water (better if it is distilled so that it does not have lime and other impurities). Stir until it has the consistency of an aqueous paste but dense enough to be applied to the base of the griddle.
- Apply the resulting paste to the base of the griddle. To do this, you can use your fingers or help yourself with plastic, wooden, or a non-scratch material spatula.
- Let the paste work for a few minutes. Then, remove the paste with the help of a clean and slightly moistened cloth. And finish with a clean and dry cloth.
- To clean the steam holes, you can use a cotton swab like the ones used to clean the ears. Or cover a skewer stick, for example, with kitchen paper. Moisten them with distilled water and carefully pass them through the holes.
- Empty the water tank and fill it to a third of its capacity with distilled water or a mixture of distilled water with white vinegar at the rate of one part of water for every three of water. Turn on the iron and set it to the highest temperature and with the steam option activated to pass through the holes and finish cleaning all the dirt in the tank and circuits.
- Iron a clean old cloth to pick up the dirt it is releasing. And finally, empty the tank and let it cool.
Other homemade tricks to clean the iron
Remove burn marks with table salt
Take a dry cloth and add several tablespoons of fine salt. Turn on the iron, and when hot, rub until the dirt or burn marks disappear. When you’re done, turn off the iron and let it cool down, then wipe with a damp cloth to remove any debris.
Clean the iron with vinegar
Dip a clean cloth in a little warm white vinegar and wipe it across the base of the griddle. If the marks do not disappear, add a couple of tablespoons of salt to the vinegar and repeat. Then wipe with a dry cloth before storing it.
Clean with laundry detergent
This is the most suitable trick if the iron is non-stick. Heat a little water and add a couple of drops of the detergent you use to wash clothes. Dip a cloth in that mixture and run it over the iron until the marks are removed.
Clean with dishwasher
It is often used when dirt marks are in the openings of the iron. Just mix a little dishwasher with distilled water and clean with a stick like those used to clean the ears.
Toothpaste to clean your iron
Apply a little toothpaste to the base of the iron and rub with a clean cloth. Then turn it on and let it steam for a few minutes.
Remove stickiness with newspaper
This trick is used to clean the iron when it is sticky. Set it to the maximum temperature, but without water and with the steam option turned off. And run it through the newspaper until it sticks and glides on smoothly.
Remove dirt in the steam holes
If the steam holes under the soleplate of the iron are clogged, you can use a toothpick to dislodge the dirt. To clean the steam holes, you can also use a cotton swab dipped in vinegar.
Sole of the iron which has yellowed
Over time and depending on use, the soleplate of the iron may turn yellow. To remove this yellowed effect, simply rub the sole with a cloth and lemon juice, quite simply.
Removing sticky dirt
If the soleplate of the iron is sticky, you can use a cloth with household alcohol or even a little solvent. Very useful in removing sticky dirt from your iron.
Do not use a wire brush
When cleaning the soleplate of the iron, never use a wire brush. This type of brush can damage the metal of the soleplate, making your iron less efficient.
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