Content

• Method 2 of 4: Use baking soda
• Method 3 of 4: Use other home remedies
• Method 4 of 4: Cleaning the steam holes
• Tips

1 Combine the vinegar and salt in a 1: 1 ratio in a small saucepan. Place the pot on the stove and heat it until the salt dissolves in the vinegar. You can stir the vinegar from time to time to speed up the process. Remove the pot from the stove before the vinegar begins to boil.

2 Dip a clean cloth into the heated solution. Wear waterproof gloves (such as dishwashing gloves) to protect your hands from the hot solution. Cover the surface on which you intend to clean the iron with a towel or old newspaper. Vinegar can seriously damage stone and marble.

3 Use a cloth to gently wipe down the soleplate until the dirt is removed. Remember to scrape the steam holes to remove any deposits. If necessary, also wipe the side of the iron.

• The mixture of vinegar and salt also removes carbon deposits from the soleplate.
• If you are unable to completely clean the soleplate with a rag, you can use a scraper or dishwashing sponge. Do not use a metal sponge as it will scratch the iron.

Method 2 of 4: Use baking soda

1. 1 Mix baking soda and water. Take 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) of water and 2 tablespoons (40 grams) of baking soda. Mix them in a small bowl until the baking soda absorbs the water completely and forms a paste.
2. 2 Using a spatula, apply the paste to the soleplate of the iron. Pay special attention to heavily soiled areas. Remember to cover the steam holes with paste. Don't use too much paste, just apply it evenly on the soleplate of your iron.
3. 3 Wipe off the paste with a damp cloth. If necessary, you can scrape off particularly stubborn stains. Wipe down the sole until all dirt and paste residue is removed.
4. 4 Clean the steam holes with cotton swabs. Dip a cotton swab into the water and insert it into the steam hole. Wipe away any plaque and soda paste.
   • After you clean the steam holes, bring the iron to the sink and drain the water from the holes.
   • Do not use paper clips or other hard metal objects as they can scratch the steam holes.
5. 5 Pour water into the iron and iron the fabric. Use an unnecessary rag, as some dirt may remain on the iron and stain the material. Set the iron to the highest temperature and iron the fabric for a few minutes. Clean water will wash away any remaining plaque.
   • Drain off any remaining water over the sink.
   • Dry your iron. Debris can leak from the steam holes, so place the iron on a surface that you don't mind getting dirty.

Method 3 of 4: Use other home remedies

1. 1 Combine warm water and a mild dish soap in a bowl. The amount of detergent depends on how dirty the iron is. Please note that the resulting solution should be much weaker than the one you use to wash the dishes.
2. 2 Dip a cotton cloth into the solution and wipe the soleplate with it. Be sure to scrape the steam vents as they often collect deposits. You can also wipe the sides and top of the iron.
   • This gentle cleaning method is perfect for an iron with a Teflon soleplate. The soles, like Teflon-coated cookware, have little dirt adhesion, but are very sensitive to scratches.
3. 3 Dampen a cloth with water and dry the iron. Wipe off any soap residue from the iron. Then place the iron upright on the table and wait for it to dry. You can place a towel under the iron to absorb the running water.
4. 4 Apply some toothpaste to the soleplate. Use white toothpaste, not gel: unlike gel, toothpaste produces lather. Apply a small dime-sized drop of the paste to the soleplate of the iron.
5. 5 Take a rag and scrub the iron with toothpaste. Pay particular attention to the steam vents, as plaque tends to accumulate there. If the soleplate is heavily soiled, you can use a dishwashing sponge or scraper. However, do not use a metal sponge to avoid scratching the soleplate of the iron.
6. 6 Wipe off the paste with a damp cloth. Wipe the soleplate of the iron well so that there is no toothpaste on it. Remaining toothpaste can contaminate clothes during subsequent ironing.
7. 7 Pour water into the iron and iron the fabric. Use an unnecessary rag, as some dirt may remain on the iron and stain the material. Set the iron to the highest temperature and iron the fabric for a few minutes. The clean water will wash away any toothpaste that may have remained in the steam holes.
   • Drain the remaining water into a sink.
   • Set the iron aside to dry.

Method 4 of 4: Cleaning the steam holes

1. 1 Pour white vinegar into the water tank. Fill the reservoir about a third full.If you are afraid that vinegar will be too caustic, you can dilute it with water in a 1: 1 ratio.
2. 2 Turn on the iron and wait for steam to come out. Set the iron to a high temperature. Wait for all the vinegar to evaporate from the iron. This will take 5-10 minutes.
   • You can also lay a waste cloth on the ironing board and iron it until all the vinegar has evaporated. This will leave all the dirt on the fabric.
   • Use a rag that can be thrown away as it will get dirty after cleaning the iron.
3. 3 Fill your iron with plain water. Fill the tank up to the end and turn on the iron. Wait for the water to completely evaporate. This will simultaneously remove residual dirt from the steam vents and remove the vinegar from the iron.
   • After all the water has evaporated, wipe the soleplate with a cloth to remove any residual residue.
4. 4 Clean the steam holes with a cotton swab. Dip a cotton swab into a solution of equal parts vinegar and water. Use a stick to wipe each steam hole (including the inside). This will remove the remaining plaque.
   • After cleaning the steam holes, the iron will iron evenly and cleanly.
   • Do not use paper clips or other hard metal objects as they can scratch the steam holes.

Tips

• Please read the instructions that came with your iron before using any of the above methods. Some irons require special cleaning agents.
• However you clean your iron, be sure to fill it with water after cleaning, follow the instructions supplied and turn on the heat to clean the steam vents.