Ironing clothes is perhaps one of the most tedious and delicate tasks. That's why it's important to have an iron on hand to keep your clothes looking perfect. However, your iron can get dirty from overuse, resulting in a rough and burnt surface. If the underside of your iron is starting to look burnt – or not quite fresh – you may be wondering how to clean it without burning your hands. But do not worry, because if you follow the right steps, you can restore the underside of your iron and keep it working as efficiently as it did on day one.
This new oneHOWTO article will show you some simple and effective ways to clean your iron inside and out.
Acetaminophen
Our list of solutions includes many surprising solutions, but this is perhaps the most unexpected one; Acetaminophen. The tablet does not have to be a name brand, any acetaminophen tablet will do. Even expired tablets can be used to clean your iron, so next time don't throw them away.
- Turn the iron on to the highest setting.
- Once it is hot, press the pill directly on the burned area.
- The pill will melt and turn into a gel that will dissolve the burned area.
- Clean the iron soleplate with a damp cloth or paper towel and repeat the process as needed until the charring is completely removed.
If you want to learn more about this over-the-counter medication and its effects, you should read the following article on Tylenol, which explains everything you need to know about this medication.
Baking soda
Cleaning a burnt iron with baking soda is one of the most popular remedies thanks to its effectiveness and simplicity. Baking soda is one of the most commonly used home remedies for disinfecting, degreasing and removing stains. And for irons, it should be no less. You just need to be patient and let it soak in.
- Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with one tablespoon of water.
- Mix the mixture and apply it carefully to the burned stain when the iron is cold.
- Wait a few minutes for the mix to work, then wipe the baking soda off with a damp cloth.
You will then see that the black residue is gone, and you will have a shiny and clean iron again. You can repeat the process until the entire surface is clean enough.
To know more about the many benefits of using baking soda for cleaning, do not miss these other articles:
- How to clean a mattress with baking soda
- How to use baking soda for getting rid of stains in your clothes
- How to clean a washing machine with baking soda
Vinegar
White vinegar is widely used in household cleaning because it naturally descales and disinfects. It is very effective at removing black residues left behind by irons, as well.
- Microwave three tablespoons of vinegar for one minute at maximum power until it is warm.
- Apply it to the damaged area of the iron with the help of a sponge.
- Rub little by little, and you will see how the burnt dirt starts to loosen.
- To increase its effectiveness, you can add a tablespoon of baking soda to the vinegar mix and let it sit for a few minutes.
If you want to learn more about how to use vinegar to clean various items around the house, be sure to read the following articles:
- Can I clean marble floors with vinegar?
- How to wash clothes with vinegar
- How to clean with vinegar
Salt
Salt is another great ally to make your iron look like new, thanks to its exfoliating and removing action. It is also able to eliminate the remnants of moisture that may have accumulated inside the iron. You can use this product in two ways: either mix it with water to form a cleaning paste, or you can use it without water. In the second case, you must heat the iron to use it.
- Spread some salt on the ironing board itself.
- Set the iron to maximum temperature.
- When it's hot, run the iron over the salt several times until the burn begins to dissipate from the friction.
- Later, when it is clean, you can clean the remains with a cloth to prevent lumps from remaining inside and damaging the clothes when ironing.
Salt is useful when it comes to cleaning your teeth. Find out how this ancient technique works by reading our article about brushing your teeth with sea salt.
Toothpaste
In addition to removing stains from our teeth, toothpaste is also helpful in cleaning metal surfaces, such as the iron. You can get results quickly by following these guidelines:
- With the help of a cloth, apply a layer of toothpaste on the surface of the iron.
- Then, turn on your iron's steam button and iron a piece of fabric for five minutes. This will ensure that all the toothpaste residues have been removed.
- When you are done, make sure there are no traces of toothpaste left on the surface.
- Clean the surface with a damp cloth so that there will be no stains the next time you iron.
We have already mentioned that toothpaste is very versatile, and you can use it for a variety of things, including removing nail polish. For more information, see our article on removing nail polish with toothpaste.
If you want to read similar articles to How to Clean an Iron With Common Household Products, we recommend you visit our Home cleaning category.