How to clean an iron: 10 easy hacks to try

Wearing clean and nicely pressed clothes has a way of making us feel good and well-prepared for the day. The actual ironing work might not be as nice for everyone, but we can all agree that the results are worth it.

Part of caring for clothes is caring for the iron itself. The good news is that you don't need a fancy iron cleaner for the task. In this guide, let's talk about the telling signs your iron needs cleaning, plus ten hacks on how to clean an iron effectively and safely.

Signs your iron needs cleaning

• You see gummy residue on the iron’s metal plate

• You notice sticky stains on the clothes you just ironed

• The iron drags instead of glides on fabric

• Brownish water is coming out of the steam holes

• Limescale or chalky white particles are coming out of the iron

How to clean an iron in 10 different ways

The best way to clean an iron depends on how bad the situation is. Some experimentation may be necessary, but be sure to review your iron’s user manual first to see if there are specific instructions, warnings, or even details on whether or not your iron has a built-in anti-limescale system.

Once you’re done with that, you can jump into trying the tips below and look forward to having a clean iron plate!

1. Make a cleaning paste using baking soda

Mix baking soda with enough water to create a paste.

Once you have a nice paste, rub it on the soleplate with a soft brush or towel. Let it sit for a while then use water to wipe it away. Make sure that the paste is completely removed and the iron is dry before using it on your clothing.

2. Scrunch up some old newspaper to use as a scrub

Before recycling those old newspapers, spare a little to help clean your iron! Just heat the iron to as high as you can, scrunch up some paper, and then scrub the soleplate with it.

It's as simple as that! Just be careful as the iron will be hot, and some sort of protection for your hands (like wearing oven gloves) may be necessary. 

3. Dissolve the grime using acetone nail polish remover

This method will dissolve grime and make it much easier to wipe away for a particularly dirty iron. Once again, you'll have to turn the iron on, heat it up to high, and then soak a cotton ball in some acetone nail polish remover.

From here, dab the wet cotton ball onto the heated soleplate. You'll notice the acetone nail polish will quickly evaporate while dissolving the gunk. When you are finished, wipe the surface with a wet cloth to remove any residue. Then wait until the soleplate is dry before you resume ironing.

4. Wipe with a kitchen sponge

Sometimes all your iron requires is a wipe with a non-scratch kitchen sponge or scrubber. Just use soap and water, and wipe the iron with a towel to help it dry completely before use. Easy!

5. Use a few drops of dish detergent

That's right, what's good for your dinner plates is also good for your iron’s plate! Get some water and pour a few drops of liquid dish detergent in, then use a soft rag and wipe away any residue.

6. Use dryer sheets

Yes, dryer sheets are an effective iron cleaner! Rub a slightly warmed-up iron on a few dryer sheets until the gunk detaches itself from your iron.

And yes, this is probably the easiest way to clean an iron!

7. Clean iron with vinegar

This method has been popular for a long time. Use distilled white vinegar on a towel, wiping the soleplate to remove gunk. If the gunk is thick and sticky, you may need to let the soleplate soak for 15 to 30 minutes.

If you want to power up your clean, add a little baking soda to the vinegar and dampen a towel with the mixture. Lay the soaked towel flat and run the iron over the towel for a great clean. Just make sure the iron is off while you do this!

8. Sprinkle some salt

Here’s how to clean an iron with salt: sprinkle a fair amount of salt onto a sheet of paper, then run the warm iron over it. Once done, wipe away the salt with a dry cloth. 

9. Rub toothpaste on the iron soleplate

This may seem a little strange, but if you've ever heard someone ask how to clean an iron with toothpaste, they are not crazy; it works! Rub some toothpaste on the soleplate, and then wipe it off with a damp cloth.

Once again, it's essential to let the iron dry thoroughly before use.

10. Use distilled water to keep steam holes clean

A great way to clean the inside of your iron and the steam holes is by ensuring you don't leave stale water in it for too long. Refill your iron with distilled water every now and then, and set it to the highest heat with a full-steam setting.

You may even have an iron that offers a steam-clean setting, which can achieve a similar result. From here, just let your iron sit and emit steam, which will help to clear the vents. Another method similar to this, or commonly used in conjunction with it, is ironing an old towel allowing the steam to flush the gunk out.

How to descale a steam iron

Sometimes, the problem is more about descaling a steam iron rather than cleaning gunk off the soleplate. So, here are some steps to follow to descale iron like a pro: 

1. Fill the water tank of your iron and turn it on. Some irons with adjustable settings are best set to MAX TEMP and NO STEAM.

2. When your iron has reached maximum heat, unplug and hold it over the sink with the soleplate in a horizontal position.

3. Your iron will have a setting that reads CALC CLEAN (or similar) via a button or selector. Press and hold to activate.

4. Give the iron a gentle shake until it is empty. You will likely see water, steam, and grime coming out of the vents.

5. Finally, heat the iron and glide it over an old cloth to give the soleplate one last clean. You may need to repeat this process a few times to get all residues.

What not to use when cleaning an iron

Many people are tempted to use things like paper clips or anything hard they can jam into the steam holes or scratch gunk off with. This is a bad idea and should be avoided at all costs! It will more than likely cause unwanted scratches on your soleplate and in the steam holes. 

Don't have time to clean your iron?

Sometimes, even quick clean-ups are difficult to squeeze into our schedule, which isn't necessarily bad. Fortunately, you can hire Taskers who can clean your iron and anything else in your house that needs cleaning. You might also want to hire an ironing expert to press your clothes when you're too busy to do it yourself.