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Use this water, and all dirt or burn marks on the table will be gone in minutes.

This is the most simple and effective way to clean your table, don't miss out!

10 March, 2024

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Over time, steam irons can accumulate residue. The harder the water in your area, the faster the mineral deposits will accumulate and build up if not cleaned. Regular descaling will prevent issues such as white/brown rust stains on clothes, cloudy water, and leaks.

In addition, irons can also encounter problems when they are stuck with burn marks on the soleplate or when they get clothes stuck every time they are ironed. To fix these issues is not difficult, but for those who do not know how to perform and choose the appropriate materials, it will take quite a bit of time. Therefore, in the following article, we will guide you on how to clean an iron with the simplest and most effective methods.

Descaling and cleaning the inside of the iron

1- Mix one cup of white vinegar with one cup of water. The vinegar will help disinfect, dissolve limescale, and deodorize the iron. This combination is the best cleaning agent for the inaccessible parts of the iron.

2- Pour the vinegar mixture into the iron and let it heat up.

Set the iron to the highest temperature possible. If your iron does not have a temperature control, set it to the cotton setting.

3- When the iron is fully heated, start pressing for the steam to escape.

Place the iron on a towel or fabric, then press to release the hot steam for 20 seconds at a time. Do this for 2 minutes.

4- Pour out all the vinegar water from the iron and fill it with plain water. Then turn the iron on and flush several times until the vinegar is gone.

Cleaning the iron and removing stubborn stains on the soleplate

1- Mix an equal amount of salt and white vinegar. This solution is abrasive and will break down mineral deposits, so it is the best solution for removing the sticky soleplate from clothes and any dirt particles stuck on the outside.

2- Use a wet cloth soaked with the solution and rub it on the bottom of the iron. Try to remove the residue on the bottom of the iron in a circular motion. If this method is not effective and the iron is still stuck, follow the methods mentioned at the end of the article.

3- Clean the steam vent holes.

Thoroughly clean all the steam vent holes of the iron with a cotton swab, a toothbrush, or a Q-tip.

4- Remove plastic stuck to the iron

Allow the iron to cool completely, you can do this by placing a little ice under the iron. Then, using a knife or a tool, remove the burnt plastic at the bottom of the iron.

5- Remove stains with baking soda

Mix one tablespoon of water with two tablespoons of baking soda. Apply the mixture by hand to the stains and leave it on for a few minutes, then wipe off the mixture.

6- Remove stains with toothpaste

Apply a small amount of toothpaste directly to the yellowing or buildup area, then wipe clean with a paper towel. After removing the toothpaste, steam the iron for 5 minutes.

Removing the stickiness of the iron soleplate (iron burns)

1- Use newspaper

If your iron is sticky and sticking to clothes or moving slowly, take a sheet of newspaper, turn off the steam of the iron, and start ironing the newspaper until the sticky mark disappears. If its stickiness doesn’t go away, sprinkle some salt on the newspaper and iron until it glides smoothly.

2- Use salt and aluminum foil

Use this method to remove relatively stubborn and sticky stains. Sprinkle a little salt on aluminum foil and set the iron to the highest setting, then start ironing the foil. This method is especially suitable for removing stuck plastic under the soleplate.

3- Use ammonia to remove very stubborn stains

After using the above steps, turn off the iron, then soak an old cloth in ammonia and place the iron on it. Remember to turn off the iron before placing it on ammonia because it can burn your hand.

According to An Nhiên – Vietnamnet

Frequently asked questions

If you notice white or brown rust stains on your clothes after ironing, cloudy water in the iron, or leaks, it’s a sign that your iron needs descaling. These issues are caused by mineral deposits that accumulate over time, especially if you live in an area with hard water.

To effectively descale and clean the interior of your iron, mix equal parts white vinegar and water. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and limescale remover. Pour this mixture into your iron, heat it to the highest temperature setting, and then press the iron on a towel to release the hot steam. Repeat this process until the vinegar mixture is gone, and then flush the iron with plain water several times to remove any residual vinegar.

A mixture of equal parts salt and white vinegar creates an abrasive solution that breaks down mineral deposits and removes sticky residue from the soleplate. Apply this solution with a wet cloth and rub it in a circular motion on the bottom of the iron. For tougher stains, you may need to try alternative methods mentioned later in this FAQ.

If clothes are stuck to the soleplate, first ensure the iron is turned off and cooled down. Then, use a knife or similar tool to gently remove the fabric. For plastic stuck to the iron, place a small amount of ice under the iron to cool it, and then carefully scrape away the plastic with a knife.

To remove stains, create a paste by mixing one tablespoon of water with two tablespoons of baking soda. Apply this paste directly to the stains and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping it off. Alternatively, you can apply a small amount of toothpaste directly to the stained area and then wipe it clean with a paper towel. After using either method, steam the iron for 5 minutes to ensure it’s thoroughly cleaned.

To address stickiness and improve the glide of your iron, turn off the steam function and iron over a sheet of newspaper. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, sprinkle some salt on the newspaper and continue ironing until the stickiness disappears.

For more stubborn stains, sprinkle salt onto a sheet of aluminum foil and iron over it at the highest temperature setting. This method is particularly effective for removing stuck-on plastic from under the soleplate.

For very stubborn stains, turn off the iron and soak an old cloth in ammonia. Place the iron on the ammonia-soaked cloth, being careful to avoid direct contact with the ammonia as it can irritate your skin. This should help remove any remaining stains.